In my 7th grade social studies class, we have been studying the Renaissance for oh, the past month. After giving them the chapter review, holding discussions on the key elements/themes of the chapter, we played Jeopardy last week. The Jeopardy questions were actual test questions; the kids took the test the following day. They BOMBED it.
So, thinking perhaps we didn't prep them enough, or between the two of us (I partner -teach) there was too much lag time in information, my partner spent Wednesday -Friday of last week re-reviewing with the students, making sure they REALLY understood the important information and themes.
They re-took the test today, and I am grading tonight. Most students are doing much better however a few obviously still didn't study.
I came across this answer and couldn't help but share it:
Question: Why was northern Italy a natural birthplace for the Renaissance? In your answer, explain what the Renaissance was.
Answer: (all spelling and grammatical errors left unedited for full effect.)
"Northern Italy was a natural birthplace for the Renissainse beacause, The Renissaince is the time where everyone started liking art. the 16th chapel is where everyone started to like art. Then it was built in Italy. After that, it (art?) started building. That is Why Italy is the natural birthplace."
I can't decide which part is my favorite, the absolutely WRONG answer, the misspelling of the word Renaissance, (the spelling of which is typed on the test above the answer,) or the fact that this student refers to Michelangelo's masterpiece as "the 16th chapel," apparently a place where everyone started to like art.
Excuse me as I go pour myself a stiff drink and cry for a while.
So, thinking perhaps we didn't prep them enough, or between the two of us (I partner -teach) there was too much lag time in information, my partner spent Wednesday -Friday of last week re-reviewing with the students, making sure they REALLY understood the important information and themes.
They re-took the test today, and I am grading tonight. Most students are doing much better however a few obviously still didn't study.
I came across this answer and couldn't help but share it:
Question: Why was northern Italy a natural birthplace for the Renaissance? In your answer, explain what the Renaissance was.
Answer: (all spelling and grammatical errors left unedited for full effect.)
"Northern Italy was a natural birthplace for the Renissainse beacause, The Renissaince is the time where everyone started liking art. the 16th chapel is where everyone started to like art. Then it was built in Italy. After that, it (art?) started building. That is Why Italy is the natural birthplace."
I can't decide which part is my favorite, the absolutely WRONG answer, the misspelling of the word Renaissance, (the spelling of which is typed on the test above the answer,) or the fact that this student refers to Michelangelo's masterpiece as "the 16th chapel," apparently a place where everyone started to like art.
Excuse me as I go pour myself a stiff drink and cry for a while.
2 comments:
This literally made me laugh out loud. I love the 16th chapel--is that the one on the Renissainse?
Heh! I feel you, my friend. I have a 7th grade son and he totally could have written that. His grades went from A- to Cs. Arrgh. So frustrating. He has taken to putting out the bare minimum. Where did my son go??
Got some advice for me:
Inching Those Grades Upward: Finding Balance Between Sports and School
Post a Comment