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Testing Sucks

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Most people that read this blog already understand that testing sucks.  I spent the last three days proctoring the reading MAP test for my seventh graders.  Yep, three days of sitting in front of a computer without being able to make the words larger to see, in a freezing cold computer lab with no windows, at the end of the school year (7 days left from start of test) to check the reading comprehension and reading growth of students.  This morning I tried to speak to one of the administrators about the inappropriateness of testing after Memorial Day with only one make-up day (Friday when other teachers are doing year end tests that actually show knowledge and probably aren't multiple guess).  After I had repeated myself several times, I stated, "I'm repeating myself." Instead of continuing the painful conversation, I decided to walk away and smack my head against a nearby brick wall.  Actually, I didn't have time to smash my head against the brick wall because I had to get the computers ready for the damn test.  Tomorrow we will look at assumptions about race, gender, and class in advertisements, discuss how (and what) the message is presented to the viewers, and determine the purpose of the advertisements.  Of course it won't be as important to the education of the students, but I'm looking forward to being back in my classroom.

Did that sound negative?  Let me try again.  During my first hour class, one of the students called me over the computer.  She wanted to show me that they were asking her to compare and contrast two poems.  "What are your thoughts?"  I asked.  She basically explained that although we wrote about poems every Monday, we never compared poems.  Brilliant!  "Maybe next year I should have Mondays when we compare two poems," I suggested using her idea.  Although I'm not sure how she did on the question, I know I made her feel smarter by listening to her and coming up with the suggestion.  Plus, I really will add this to some of the poetry journal entries next year.

Comments

LH said…
Listening to a kid's ideas. Pretty radical stuff you going on up there MM.

Grrrrr. I wish you could be back in your room.
8:49 PM
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