Back from the Brink

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 Sorry this took so long. I have been prepping to take a test so that I could get a science endorsement on my Teaching certificate. I took a diagnostic test to identify what my weaknesses were.  I was stressed out because the breadth of the test seem too much. But a funny thing happened along the way. I begin having fun. A lot of fun. It was engaging to learn again. It was fun to revisit concepts and skills I haven’t used Since I was a highschooler. The day of the test, I was anxious but excited. I felt I would do well. I’ve studied hard.
 It was the worst test I’ve ever taken.  All the skills and content I learned were for nothing. It really wasn’t a test in science, it was more like trivial pursuit. It was a relief to pass but I was ready for a real test. The questions asked on the test were in no way indicative whether I was qualified or not to teach science at the high school or middle school.
It made me reflect back on my own learning, my old high school and college experiences.  I never really questioned why we were learning things, I was just focused on doing well on the test.  I reflected on my teaching in my classroom.  I truly don’t believe that what I teach is a mile wide and an inch deep. Yes, I want my kids to be scientifically literate but I also want to be critical thinkers.  I really want them to be self-directed learner‘s and that seems to be the hardest skill to teach. There is a disconnect between the students’ability to get the right answer and their ability to ask the right questions.  What am I doing to address that?  What are you doing to address that skill in your class?


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