Instead of using the term “unit tests,” the term “celebrations of learning” has been coined by both students and teachers in classes like Honors Chemistry.
How many times have you groaned or rolled your eyes at the mention of an upcoming test, for whichever course it may be? The answer is almost certainly more than once, and that is understandable, considering the dread accompanied by this news. But that doesn’t have to be the case anymore, especially as “tests” are being replaced by “celebrations of learning.”
The phrase has gained popularity this school year largely due to the accompaniment of sweet treats on testing day. When asked about this newfound tradition, Chemistry teacher Kirstin Holm expressed gratitude for the evolution of the practice: ìI think that helped keep this tradition alive, because if students kind of roll their eyes and they’re like, “Oh, well, it’s still a test,’ it diminishes the celebration.” She went on to explain how instrumental it was to “have a community and be able to bond together in something.”
Being the first student to bring confections to class, Connor Briand ’27 noted the effect of his actions: “The little bit of work that I put in for the first test [will] all pay off,” elaborating, “every test I’ll be able to enjoy cookies.” His words summarize the overarching sentiment of many students in these courses.
But reframing the word “test” hasn’t just provided students with a satisfying snack–it also has changed the perception of testing culture at Blake.
“A ‘test’ is just a place to show your teacher what you know,” Holm affirms. Math teacher Jonathan Osters agrees: “All [you] need to do is project what [you] know and get that on to the page.” By making the concept of testing more lighthearted, “we’re able to bond together over our learning,” Holm finishes.
In such a high-pressure environment, stressful events like testing can easily be distorted into high-stakes, single-function affairs. By bringing in snacks and really treating tests more like celebrations, “it sort of takes the ‘scary’ out,” science teacher Jacqui Niederschulte reasons.
Seeing as how the term has taken the science wing by storm, many are hopeful that the term continues to spread and along with it, a more easygoing testing culture.
