I know it seems late to have finally had our first math test this year, but that's the way it is. Between an intro unit assessing where they all are and a slow go with place value, adding and subtracting - we have only just got there.
I always have a fear giving that first test because the kids, no matter how prepared I feel they are, I feel they never fully show their potential on that first test.
I think it partly lies with their anxiety for the first test. They are either completely distraught about the idea of a test which impairs their ability. You can almost feel those kids quaking in their boots when you hand out the test.
The other problem lies with the children who are overconfident or are completely unaware of how well they understand the material. These students do not prepare or ask the right questions. They run into issues with little mistakes and usually end up with at least 2 grade levels below where they expect themselves to be.
As I sat marking the test I soon learned who was who and I started to get that feeling that maybe I missed telling the whole class something or maybe my new math group system actually doesn't work... You know that feeling as you keep marking the same silly mistakes. But when the tests are finally tallied up and it turns out 2 kids got perfect marks, most students had a C+ or higher and your usual suspects are a C or lower, the fear subsides and you feel good about your math teaching again! :-D
