Today was the first day of California Standardized Testing for Rebecca, this big huge deal for students grades 2 - 11. We're in Silent School Mode, volunteers do not work in the classrooms for two weeks, and everything is very serious and a bit stressful. Now, my gal can seriously work herself up about things, to the point of making herself sick, so I've not done anything to build this up. We've gotten reminders sent home about the importance of having a good breakfast, being well rested, getting to school on time - things we practice every school day anyway, so I'm just trying to keep it fun and make it seem exciting instead of tense.
So, to keep it festive, a classroom gift of much-needed pencils was in order. When I picked her up after school, Rebecca said the test was "not what she expected," though she wouldn't expand on that for me, and I don't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. She did say that she thought it was long. I think she probably did great, based on her practice tests from last week, and from her regular schoolwork. Only eight more days to go.
Ugh, test for little people are just horrid. There's a move in the UK at the minute to try to scrap the standardised tests for 11 year olds. We'll see.
Posted by: dottycookie | Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 11:16 PM
It sounds like you're doing a great job! It's testing time around here, too. I just registered Emma for the SAT. How did she get old enough to take that?! :)
Posted by: Beth | Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 05:33 AM
We loath that time of year -- they plan everything down to the very last half-second to accomodate the testing schedule including starting school in mid-August so they have the optimum number of teaching days before the testing begins.
The one thing I've learned about those tests is that "Johnny" still can't read, but they have better charts and statistics to tell you that. I wish we'd just chuck the whole lot of them and spend the zillions of dollars wasted on better teaching and teachers.
Posted by: lizandrsn | Friday, April 23, 2010 at 07:35 AM
I am a teacher, and I agree with Liz above- ugh. I think all teachers do!
You handled that beautifully! I love it when parents don't stress the kids out even more than they already are.
I love the ribbon! Where did you find it?
Posted by: Angie | Friday, April 23, 2010 at 08:00 AM