It seems like it has been forever since I have been able to post anything to my blog! The icky rain has just had me feeling LAZY, but the sunshine was great today and the kids were excited to get outside! We have had a full week of school -(Friday's we go to co-op!) and it feels good to be so productive.
We had picture day (for our yearbook) at our co-op last week and it was just like every other picture day that I have been apart of. Public school, private school, homeschool co-op - it doesn't matter. The photographer will be behind schedule and you will get just about nothing done that you had planned on doing. Oh well, that's life.
I am going to be administering a standardized test to the bigger boys in a few weeks (the ITBS)and I am trying my best to keep myself in check. The cover school that I use doesn't require standardized tests until 3rd grade, but I didn't want the first test they took to be the one that counts. You know what I mean? I guess I am hoping that this will let them see and experience what taking a standardized test is like. I know that I have to stay really calm about this or else my Drew just might freak out on me. He is a perfectionist. He wants everything to be just right. I wish I could be like my friend, Tracy, who just doesn't even care about standardized test. She gives them because they are required. Maybe I will adopt an attitude like that - eventually. What is your take on standardized testing?
On a lighter note, I have already started looking at curriculum for next year. So fun! Sometimes the looking through and picking out curriculum is more fun than actual teaching of the curriculum. :-) My friend, April, already got her stuff in - I am jealous. Box day is so much fun!
Our spring break is next week. I would like for the kids to still get some math lessons done (um, it has nothing to do with trying to fit as much in as possible before those standardized tests - if that was what you were thinking. Okay, maybe it does.) Anyway, we will see exactly how much gets accomplished.
I guess that is enough random thoughts for one post. I will leave you with a quote from my sweet and oh so wild, Hayden. D & D were working on a lesson about estimating length. We were estimating the length of a pencil. Hayden looks up from his work and says, "Do you want me to go get you an incher?" It took me a minute to even realize what in the world he was talking about. I guess he is just about due for a lesson on using a RULER (or an incher - I mean that does make more sense than ruler.)
Don't forget to leave me any thoughts and/or advice about standardized testing! Even though I am totally not stressing out! :)
Not a fan of standardized test. At all! Wish there was a better way to test a child's ability - if that is even needed. God gives us all different abilities and callings. Ariel stresses about them sooooo much and they make her nervous. She is my brilliant child and it seems to have gotten worse the closer we get to college!
ReplyDeleteI am not a fan! I mean you cant really know how much a child knows by one test! And some people are just not good test takers and some are lucky guessers. You better not make those poor babies do math lessons over SB! :)
ReplyDeleteHave not entered that world yet. Next year my oldest will be in 2nd grade, if I have to put a grade on it, but I will administer him a standardized test for the same reasons you are this year. I am not a fan of these tests. Looking forward to reading about your experiences with it. Let us know when they are taking them so we can put all you guys up in prayer.
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