From the desk of Carol C…
Recently I’ve noticed in many classrooms where writing seems to have taken a back seat to reading and math. The reason, I think, is that school systems and the state have emphasized these two subjects more than any others. However, the performance tasks in the Common Core exemplars are centered around writing. The tasks focus on content, but they require extensive writing in order to completely cover the topic …
From the desk of Hope…
I write this blog as a question hoping to get some interaction and feedback from you.
Recently I’ve had three parents approach me about “issues” their children are having with reading comprehension. Before I go into the “issues” I would like to describe these children to you as I know all three of them well – one boy and two girls, all in third grade.
These children are avid readers. …
From the desk of Carol C…
I thought I knew the educational jargon: ABC’s, testing, EOG, EOC, accountability, Common Core, and the list goes on. I could talk confidently about any of these terms to anybody. Then one day a fellow educator asked me what I thought of READY. “I’m ready for it,” I tried to bluff. “It’s something isn’t it!” I followed with. “Yes it is,” my friend replied and then added, “You don’t …
From the desk of Alice…
I recently had a conversation with someone about instruction in the elementary school. In that particular school system, a program is in place that requires reading workbooks for Kindergarten students.
If this happens to be the case in your school or system, I am so sorry. Having our youngest learners (or any learners) sit and work in workbooks is far from an authentic reading and writing experience. In this era …
From the desk of Hope…
I sent my son off to school recently to take yet another standardized test. This just strikes a nerve with me. Have you heard about this latest standardized test school systems are giving 8th graders? It is called the EXPLORE. From what I can gather, it is the pre ACT test and is part of the ACT’s Career Readiness System, and provides the student a way to see if they …
From the desk of Hope…
Dear Garrison,
This week you are taking your EOG test and I can tell you are anxious. A little anxiety can be good. It can “help you get your A game on”. Fortunately, from your past experiences with these types of tests, you do fine on them and I feel sure this year will be no different. Unfortunately, I am hearing stories of children who are experiencing migraine headaches and …
From the Desk of Hope…
According to many people, teaching to the test is unavoidable and those who opt not to succumb to the pressure will reap harsh consequences under tough accountability systems.
I was at a school this week in which a principal told her staff that if she saw test preparation in the form of item testing before two weeks of the actual End of Grade test, she would put them on an …
From the Desk of Hope…
Anxious. Frustrated. Unmotivated. Worried.
These are all adjectives that describe the behaviors I see in some lessons centered around test preparation.
Teachers feel tremendous pressure to prepare students for high stakes tests. In response they spend considerable time (sometimes months) before the test on test-like items and teaching test-taking strategies.
At the same time, students feel tremendous pressure to perform on high stakes assessments. Many of them report frustration and …
From the desk of Hope…
I have been doing some wondering lately……what is the purpose of a pop quiz?
In my own teaching career, I’ve given my share of pop quizzes, but they were mostly early in my career when I didn’t teach with very much intention. I remember thinking, “I will see if they are paying attention” and “I know they are not listening. I will catch them…”
I figured out later that this …
Hope and I were talking to today about our company, the hiccups, the successes, and how we continue to feel fortunate everyday to do what we love and still pay our bills. Really- this came up as part of our conversation today.
As part of that package, we have had the privilege to meet several authors who we refer to as The Reading Gods: Debbie Miller, Cris Tovani, and Stephanie Harvey. There are …