The Content Problem
Being a 9th Grade Algebra I teacher, my job is much more difficult than some of my peers. During the 9th grade year in all Pennsylvania schools, all students are required to take a high stakes test called the Keystones. Keystones are subject specific, and Algebra I is one of them. The reason why this makes my job much more difficult is that my students must pass this exam in order to graduate.
This exam requires me to cover a very large curriculum in a very short period of time. In the beginning of the year, my students are not on the same playing field in terms of prior math knowledge. The first quarter of the year is usually spent covering basic computation skills, as well as basic math terminology. Over the course of the year, my students are able to navigate through these basic skills, as well as a variety of algebraic concepts.
While preparing my students throughout the whole year to not only gain a better algebraic understanding, but for this Keystone exam, I notice something in particular: my students are fearful and struggle to successfully complete word problems. With the Keystone exam, students are required to answer 4 open-ended questions. All of these questions have multiple components to them and require students to explain their steps and their reasoning behind them.
This exam requires me to cover a very large curriculum in a very short period of time. In the beginning of the year, my students are not on the same playing field in terms of prior math knowledge. The first quarter of the year is usually spent covering basic computation skills, as well as basic math terminology. Over the course of the year, my students are able to navigate through these basic skills, as well as a variety of algebraic concepts.
While preparing my students throughout the whole year to not only gain a better algebraic understanding, but for this Keystone exam, I notice something in particular: my students are fearful and struggle to successfully complete word problems. With the Keystone exam, students are required to answer 4 open-ended questions. All of these questions have multiple components to them and require students to explain their steps and their reasoning behind them.