Kristy Chimera
MED 300
Journal #9

	Well this was a pretty uneventful week at Lafayette. Tuesday was election day so the Buffalo Public Schools were closed. Then on Thursday, the algebra students took a test. The students had the entire class period to take the exam, but Mr. Koestler took the first almost five minutes taking attendance. I think he could’ve done that after the students started their tests to give them a little more time. The test was 9 questions long.  After looking through the test, we all agreed that there should be no reason for the students to fail; we have covered all of the material that was on the test in class and they have already had tests on the material. We did have one student who came in late. Alex walked in about ten minutes after the period started. He did not finish parts 2 or 3 of the test, which were the parts with the word problems. I think he has a hard time reading the questions because English is not his first language. I think he should’ve been taken aside and read the test. I think he might have done better on the test.
	One thing that I will not do during a test when I have my own classroom is talk to the students, or anyone else (if I can help it) during a test. The students had taken a test last Friday that some students were absent for. During the test on Thursday, Mr. Koestler had Bill go over and interrupt a student to ask her if she had a copy of the test they took on Friday because she was absent and he couldn’t remember if he gave her one or not. I think that could’ve waited until the end of the period. I know when I am taking a test, if the teacher starts talking or interrupts me, it is really hard to focus and get back on track. Mr. Koestler also pulled us aside and was talking to us about grades for the students. He was pointing out who is going to pass the class and who isn’t. I feel that this also could’ve been distracting to the students. It should be as silent as possible during an exam. Other than that we didn’t do much today. We walked around and read questions to students if they asked us to, but we weren’t allowed to answer any other questions. All we could do was read the question as it was stated on the test. It was a pretty boring day, but that happens when it’s test time!