Dudgrick+Bevins

I will be using a pre/post test to assess student learning. I will be using a ten question multiple choice with a three question survey on the back; this will produce both qualitative and quantitative information. The multiple choice questions will let me see where students stand with the information, while the three question survey will show me the student's attitudes on the material. This sheet will be used again for the post-test, but the survey will be modified for the past tense. The post test will also have a second summative part based on application of the material; this will show me if they know how to use the information.
 * ISLA:**

The focus of my ISLA is poetry; more specifically, I will look at how the Feather Circle style of presentation effects student learning of poetry. The writing assignments that correspond with the Feather Circle are meant to cement student understanding of the terms tested on the pretest.

**DSC:** My critical incident centers around the Feather Circle. I plan to focus on a particular student who did poorly on the pretest and answered that she did not like poetry on the survey, only to give me a Thank You Note after the first feather circle explaining how she enjoyed the writing process and the poem of the day. She noted both as inspiration and sources of enjoyment.

**Genre Reflection #3 is a Poem in Rant Form:** A Monologue to Don

I don't know how to say this, but I don't know how to help you when you throw away my offers and you cheat on all my tests. I do not think its funny, and I do not think its cool when you say, “Mr. B, I didn't do this assignment because of you.” As you see, I gave you five days, two examples, and my attention, twice I offered to come in early but that still got no attention. So let me make this clear: out of one hundred five students you're the only one who showed up unprepared. So I will not buy that act and I will not hear that voice, and as you roll your eyes I am subtracting conduct points... And no matter what say the assignment is still due even if its turned in late.

**Genre Reflection #2 is a poem** **that I wrote for the my first Feather Circle with the students. Everyday I do a Poem of the Day with them, and they think it is funny that Mr. B is so excited by poetry. This poem is a response in part to them, but I think I will also use it to introduce the idea of the Poem of the Day in the future. The line about the funny poems getting ignored comes from the day I tried to do T S Elliot's "The Naming of Cats"... it was sadly a flop. :( Oh well.**

The Mr. B Anthology I think a book of poetry  May serve best  To represent me. Open my cover  And words fall out,  I'm a breathing anthology.

I have a poem for everyday,  And off the page  Its life I bring:

Some are happy,  Some sad...   All are varied  Like the life I've had...

Some poems are small and humble,  While others are large and proud. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Some poems are for laughs <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> (But get ignored), <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> But all poems <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Are to be explored.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">So, after finishing the last word or phrase, <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Close the cover and save <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> One of my poems <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> For the next day.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> -D. Bevins (2010) **Genre Reflection #1 is a poem in letter form. If you can't tell, I'm a little bitter about my first week being complicated by the ITBS. I'm hoping the second paragraph/stanza points to my feelings coming up as I did manage to find ways to get to know the students and interact with them in meaningful ways. Thanks for reading.**

Essential Question: What do we learn from standardized tests?

Dear Iowa Test of Basic Skills,

Thank you for my first week thrills! Hopefully you can sense just how passive aggressive this will get: No, I didn't want to meet or get to know the students I'm to call my own! I mean, who said first weeks are for introductions, I know they are just for testing interruptions. And don't you worry Mr. Test, I know how hungry you can get, and that only Scantron sheets can fill you up! So, it doesn't matter if the students loose a week of instruction, and have every school routine completely disrupted! I know! I know you need to eat... So to feed your belly-machine, five days in, and five days out, I watch the test booklets and bubble sheets get passed about. And in the yellow tinged florescent light, as I watched the classroom kids stencil in their names and lives, something in me screamed: Moloch! And then I giggled in melodramatic delight.

Oh you, little Iowa Test, you are no bigger than your mess. I worked around you! Does that confound you? I found a way to get to know every single name. That's right! Your obstacles are not impossible but they damn sure get in the way... So I had to work and think and squeeze every drop I could from everyday, but I did it. And I'm proud to admit it: it was fun. I feel I passed the bureaucratic trial of the Iowa Tests, now whats the rest?

Oh yes... CRCT will be here in the spring.

Ya'know, there is a reason that when I see your name abbreviated, I don't see ITBS, I see It B.S.

Your Friend, The Tossling