Crecia C. Swaim
New Haven has begun to focus on data collection as a means of driving instruction within its schools. A fundamental aspect of this data collection is the pre-test/post-test. Students take a pre-test before learning a particular task or skill, to assess prior knowledge in terms of strengths and weaknesses in the skill. The results from the pre-test determine which areas need more consideration, and which require less. After a brief meeting with each student in which we discuss the areas of strength and weakness in each response, I will collect the pre-test assignment. At the end of the sub-unit, each student will answer the same question again, and both the pre- and post-test assignment will be returned. Students will use these to self-assess their own progress by writing a brief paragraph delineating what growth is demonstrated from pre- to post-test. This will be considered alongside my rubric assessment of each question.
Forming an Initial Understanding and L'Argent de poche
It is sometimes difficult to determine a questioning angle that adequately assesses initial understanding, yet will also be able to reflect worthwhile progress at the end of a particular unit. I find the opening sequence of
L'Argent de poche
, in which the children are running to school, to be a wonderful foundation for pre/post-test questioning. I will show students the opening sequence, and each will choose, from the following short list of questions based on that scene, the pre/post-test question he or she will answer.
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·
What do you learn about character and setting in the opening scene?
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·
What do you think the filmmaker means by the title of the film?
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From the opening scene, do you expect this film to reflect more similarities or differences between a child's life in Thiers, France and a child's life in New Haven, Connecticut?
(For the post-test question here you would simply replace the words
do you expect
with
does
.)
For another variation of Pre- and Post-Testing for this film, see
Lesson Plan 1 –Pre-Test/Post-Test/Post-Post-Test –
L'Argent de poche
.
Demonstrating a Critical Stance and L'Enfant sauvage
With
L'Enfant sauvage
, just as with the previous film, I will center the pre/post-test questions around the opening sequence of the film which, in this case, is when the "wild child" is discovered in the forest and hunted down by the townspeople. Alternately, you could show the movie trailer, included on the DVD, and craft questions that would determine what the trailer advertises the movie to be about, and, with the post-test, if it was successful and/or accurate.
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·
Is the character of the "wild boy," as he is shown in the opening scene, believable to you? Use information from the film to support your answer.
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·
Imagine you are going to give a talk to your classmates about children who are different. Write
two important
ideas from the film that you would include.
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·
Using details from the opening sequence, write a scene that you think might appear in the film.
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·
Using information from the opening sequence, explain what you think the boy might be like when he grows up.
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·
Using information from the opening sequence, explain the difference between intelligence and understanding.
(The post-test question could ask for information from the whole film instead of just the opening sequence.)