Grendel Day 12 - Exam: Beowulf, Grendel, High Noon
"But I think my mistakes became the chemistry for my miracles. I think that my tests became my testimonies. '' T.D. Jakes
Grendel Day 12- Exam: Beowulf, Grendel, High Noon: So after the daily content - did you read quizzes - now is the chance to find out if the students were paying attention and processing everything that happened as the result of their reading (the discussions, assignments, Group Work, etc.)
Lesson Overview
Ah tests! Up to this point the students have been taking short (just about every day) quizzes on the reading they did for homework. Those quizzes have two things in common - 1) they are designed to see if students did the reading 2) they do not require think - critical or otherwise. But now it is time to see if they've been paying attention during discussions, group works, assignments, essays, etc. How are they putting together everything that we've done in class. See my page on Quizzes and Exams.
Another good reason to give students an exam on the Unit is to help them prepare for college (98% of my students went on to college). Most colleges give (or used to give) multiple choice exams. They will also be seeing multiple choice on the ACT & the SAT exams. The more comfortable students are with those type of exams, the better.
It is more than possible to write a good, thinking exam that accurately reflects the thought that's been happening in the class. It does take time. I don't believe in "trick questions or answers" -- though I'm not exactly sure what those are (sometimes a student will say there is a trick answer, and I'm like "no, that's the wrong answer - and it's not close to the right answer and it's not meant to fool the the test taker."
This exam covers the material, discussions, group works, movie, and other assignments that took place during the Beowulf and Grendel unit. There also exists a version of this exam that include the Anglo-Saxon poetry that follows this unit. I've also included the most recent study guide - please for this lesson disregard (or edit) what it says about Anglo-Saxon poetry. I have not included an exam key at this time - but may in the future.
Exams in my class usually count for 450 points (a reading quiz is usually 100 points). Their Beowulf Plays were 800 points.
Exam & Study Guide
Most Recent Exam & Study Guide:
see above for more on the exam.
I'm not a big fan of study guides - to me, to tell the students to look over what we've done in class is actually the best. It puts the ball in their court and helps them develop the skills that they will need to study. Those that study do well.
Audio Visual Content
Remote Enhancements
A short little Power Point that I used when I did this (for the first time) during Remote Teaching.
Links
Class Recordings (for registered members)
Audio
Video
The Anglo-Saxons Part 2 - Except perhaps for an Exam on Beowulf and Grendel (I'm deciding were to put that) in this chronology, we are ready to go back to the Anglo-Saxons (yes, I know we've been there all along). Now the students will use their new found appreciation of the link between the past and the present - and I hope - an appreciation for great Literature.
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
Thoughts on the Lesson
The first exam is always a shock for the students and for me. I always expect them to do incredilby well - and the average ends up being about a 70% (which is not bad I guess - but the test seems so darn easy to me (I know...). It is another tool - a wake up call.