Middle Ages 7 - Exam: Middle Ages & Chaucer
"But I think my mistakes became the chemistry for my miracles. I think that my tests became my testimonies. '' T.D. Jakes
Middle Ages 7 - Exam: Middle Ages & Chaucer : 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 both Middle Ages units (Part 1 & Part 2), as well as everything that happens in the Chaucer & Canterbury Tales Unit.
Exams in my class usually count for 450 points (a reading quiz is usually 100 points).
Exam & Study Guide
Most Recent Exam & Study Guide:
Middle Ages, Chaucer, Canterbury Tales Exam . Docx PDF
see above for more on the exam.
Though this study Guide is from the previous unit on the Anglo-Saxons - you could easily modify it for the Middle Ages & Chaucer.
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 Renaissance & Elizabeth England: As the dragon from Grendel said - no age is really dark than the other. However, perhaps the Renaissance is a little brighter than the rest. There are so many rapid changes that occur in this period - in the world, in science, in exploration - and in the English Language. It is a time of Donne, Raliegh, Marlowe - and of course - Shakespeare. We begin with some historical background, then venture into sonnets (for the first time we will read English with just a little modernization - it is Modern English!). Next, we will take a break from this Unit - and go to the plays of Shakespeare - do a unit on Literary Criticism - and then come back to the Renaissance (Part 2). It truly is a "rebirth"
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
Middle Ages 6 - Weaving of Women's Tales - Lords & Their Babies
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.