To anyone who reads my blog, I want to apologize for the lack of posts recently. Due to State Testing and my upcoming WEDDING, I have been unable to blog as much as I would like. I intend to return in full force over the next few weeks! Thanks for reading! 

I created a Pinterest board for this website! You can find it by clicking here OR by following the link on the sidebar to the right! I've decided that every week I will highlight one pin that I thought was truly creative or interesting! 

I was instantly intrigued by this pin for many reasons. 1) It had a colorful name, 2) it seemed like a fun game, and 3) I have a thing for Socrates. 

I quickly pinned this item and checked out the website. Their website, instituteofplay.org,  describes it as:

A versatile discussion-based humanities game to practice argumentation around any text or topic for grades 6 through 12.

The full instructions can be found in the free download, but essentially you give your students a certain topic/reading to discuss and debate. The team who uses the most argumentative styles wins the game and gets the most points. 

I would highly recommend checking it out when you get a chance. Did I mention it was FREE? :)

If you have never heard of it, you really need to check out The Institute of Play They create games and different learning tools to help students and teachers around the country prepare students for the real world. 

"We create learning experiences rooted in the principles of game design—experiences that simulate real world problems, and require dynamic, well-rounded solutions. We support teachers and other learning leaders in making learning irresistible—creating for students a powerful need to know, and a hunger to learn more. We believe in making learning relevant—to the technologies that shape our kids’ lives, the passions that fuel their ambitions, and the demands of life in the 21st century." --- Institute of Play Website

"We are building a national movement to make learning irresistible"

If you get a free moment, I highly suggest taking the time to look at all the amazing things they have available. We are building a national movement to make learning irresistible
If you get a free moment, I highly suggest taking the time to look at all the amazing things they have available. You can support The Institute of Play and what they are doing by making a charitable donation. 

As a first year history teacher, I really wanted to make sure my students were well prepared for this OK state test. I made sure to cover all the material again and have them read over the required documents/speeches. I was frustrated to learn that basically, it was a reading test! They were given a passage to read, then answer an accompanying question to check for understanding. 
I lost 2 weeks to prep and 2 MONTHS of class time. It is still April and my students have already figured out we are finished with the textbook. Luckily I have projects planned, but school isn't out until June 2nd. 
The problem is we are forced to cram material into a smaller time frame, and they are not correctly tested on that material. I had to cut out ALL the enrichment activities I wanted to do just to make it fit. I had no time for simulations, projects, or activities. Sure I squeezed in a couple, but overall, I was unable to really connect the students to the material for the sake of time. The list of topics I was given that they should know was 3 pages long. How can I accurately cover all the new material in the span on 1.25 semesters? 
Testing needs to be changed, at least in the state of Oklahoma. While the change to a new testing company was a vast improvement, the state testing does not do what it is supposed to do. In Oklahoma, you have to pass 4/6 tests to graduate. I understand the rationale, but why force students into high stakes testing if some of them do not count? They must pass English and Algebra, but giving them the option to pass the others or not makes them question why they should try. Some students already passed three and felt confident in another, so they do not try. They don't feel accountable for their test, yet I am held accountable. 

What are your thoughts?
What frustrations do you have with your testing? Or are you happy with it? What is your opinion on the topics I mentioned?