Play To The Situation

[Rebeecca]

"Also, the contrast between Pinky and other children innocently playing to the situation of his father's death and war in general is an obscene contrast."

What could "playing to the situation" mean here?

[emsr2d2]

Isn't this very similar to the "playing to the environment" thread yesterday which went nowhere because it made no sense?

[Rebeecca]

"Prospective teachers coming out of many teacher education programs are familiar with the range of assessments in students’ learning. The larger pragmatic — and moral — issue is: Even when they know what works well for student learning and assessment, what do they do in the face of the tremendous pressure to teach to the test?"

[emsr2d2]

"Prospective teachers coming out of many teacher education programs are familiar with the range of assessments in students’ learning. The larger pragmatic — and moral — issue is: Even when they know what works well for student learning and assessment, what do they do in the face of the tremendous pressure to teach to the test?"

I have no idea what this quote has to do with your original question and title (Play to the situation).

[Rebeecca]

As a side question, what does "teach to the test" mean?

[Bennevis]

"Also, the contrast between Pinky and other children innocently playing to the situation of his father's death and war in general is an obscene contrast."

What could "playing to the situation" mean here?

It means that the children are playing innocently, while someone has just died and there is (a) war going on.

[Barb_D]

Teach the material that will be asked about on a standardized test instead of teaching in a way that allows a more open exploration of the topics.

For example, if you know the standardized test might ask you the dates of battles in a war, you spend time teaching that, instead of more probing issues, like the underlying causes of a war.

[Bennevis]

"Prospective teachers coming out of many teacher education programs are familiar with the range of assessments in students’ learning. The larger pragmatic — and moral — issue is: Even when they know what works well for student learning and assessment, what do they do in the face of the tremendous pressure to teach to the test?"

It means "to prepare (the) students for a test or an exam".

[Rebeecca]

"We probably showed a lack of aggression when batting but in the game you end up playing to the situation."

Could the explanation for "teach to the test" be applied to "play to the situation"?

[SoothingDave]

"We probably showed a lack of aggression when batting but in the game you end up playing to the situation."

Could the explanation for "teach to the test" be applied to "play to the situation"?

No. In the context of sports, it means to adjust your strategy/behavior to the current situation in the game. For example, if you are losing a contest, you will take more chances to try to score (and exposing yourself to be scored upon) than you do if you have a comfortable lead and are just trying to run out the clock.