Test-taking Skills Group Assessment

As an alternative assessment, in lieu of a written formal paper or test, you are going to write, record, and perform a song about a given set of test-taking strategies.  Your song will be performed to instrumental (no words!) music of your choosing.  The topic of your song will be one of the following from the test-taking tips:

1. Anxiety
2. Before the Test (Part I, Getting Ready)
3. Before the Test (Part II, Meeting With Your Teacher)
4. During the Test
5. After the Test

Groups and topics will be assigned.  After you are assigned a topic and a group, your group will have part of two class periods (about 30 mins at the end of class each day) devoted to writing and practicing until our presentations on Wednesday.

Each group will require jobs:
1. Singer(s)- vocally perform the song/rap
2. Spokesperson-responsible for clarifying questions for the group and introducing the song during the presentation
3. Recorder-writes and types up the song (print enough copies for each group member and one for the teacher)-must also dance or perform in some way
4. Dancers/Performers- Acts out the song or comes up with a dance to enhance the performance of the song


STEPS:
1. Once you are assigned a group and topic, you want to review the notes/blog post on the given topic.
2. Decide who will do which jobs.  Everyone must have at least one job.
3. Have your recorder write down names of all group members and their jobs.
4. Your group will choose a song without words (instrumental only).  You will then write your own lyrics to the song using the test-taking tips you've been assigned.
5. Your group will write a song using the set of tips assigned.  You can change the words around if needed or add additional words, but it should not change the meaning of the tips.
6. Your recorder will type the words to your song.  During your presentation, you will be able to pull up the typed lyrics for your song and project them so the class can follow along.
7.  Your group should practice singing the song.  You may add dance steps to your song.  If you can't sing, dance.  If you can't dance, sing.  Everyone should participate.
8. Each group will present to the entire class on Tuesday and songs will be graded and scored.




Song/Presentation Expectations Rubric

1. All group members work equally on song ______ P/F
2. Song must pertain to and be relevant to your assigned section_______ P/F
3. Accompanying music must be instrumental_______ P/F

4. Song must be at least 20 lines______ 15 points
5. Song should have rhyme, rhythm and include a chorus________ 15 points
6. Song must have a title_____ 15 points
7. Presentation should be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 5 mins_______15 mins
8. You must turn in typed copy of your song______ 15 points
9. All group members should participate in the performance______ 15 points