We’re in the middle of our state testing season here. Last week my third graders took the ISTEP applied skills/short answer portion of our state tests for reading, language, and math. This week our fourth, fifth, and sixth graders are doing the same. We’ve been practicing using sentence starters, not spending too much time on any one problem, and showing our work.
Next week my third graders will take the IREAD, which is a pass/fail reading test that determines whether or not they’ll be allowed to go to fourth grade. We’ve been practicing vowel sounds, literal comprehension, and how to use the test app on our iPads.
In April our third-sixth grades will take the second half of our ISTEP tests, which are multiple choice. I’m sure we’ll practice coloring in bubbles neatly and erasing stray marks before then. Oh, and not coloring too much with the highlighter so it doesn’t bleed through.
This is all the midst of our Acuity, STAR, Fountas and Pinnell benchmarks, mid year writing assessments, and the other data-binder-worthy assessments we must give. I’m sure I’ve left one or two {or twelve} off the list.
These KIDS are taking a ridiculous amount of tests. Most of the scores (except the IREAD) mean absolutely nothing to the students. Pass or fail, it doesn’t matter. They’ll pass one practice test and fail the other miserably because it was a bad day, or they were tired, or sick of the tests, or… the list could go on and on. Of course the scores from those same tests will measure my value and worth as a teacher. The scores from these tests will also be a factor in my paycheck. That sounds about right, right?
So today? Today they built a fort. Totally unprompted. And then they sat in it and did their math centers. Because everything is more fun in a fort. Because they are 8 and 9 years old. Because they’ve been tested to the max and needed 3 minutes of fun. Because I am a person and not a machine.
My students continue to inspire me. Every time I start thinking it’s time to pack my classroom up, they bring me hope. It brings tears to my eyes as I sit here writing this post and think of their innocence and youth. They are the reason I keep getting out of bed and trudging into school, even when I dream of staying home and working in my PJs from my couch on cold, dark, rainy mornings like today.
THEY are my why and the reason I keep at it.
What a wonderful, heartwarming post! Sometimes we forget to stop and smell the roses!!!
Melissa
Keep Calm and Love First Grade
Amen!
I agree with you completely! We had a snow day today, which put a damper on starting the ISTEP, but not to worry! We have ISTEP, IREAD, the new College and Career Ready test, plus star, etc…good for you! I think I need to build a fort and I don't teach 3rd grade!
Hilary
Second Grade is Out of This World!
Maybe we'll build one in the teacher's lounge too!
Love this, friend. Spoke right to my heart today.
<3
Makes you wish you could build a fort for your room and no one allowed uninvited. 😉
Exactly!
I LOVE that you did this! I'm so glad I'm not a kid in this over-tested education system. It's so hard on us as teachers, but it's also easy to forget how hard it is for them. Kudos to you for letting them be kids! 🙂
Everyone needs a break sometimes, right? 🙂
Thank you for sharing and taking the time to let the kids be kids. We have Spring Break this week, but as soon as we get back it's a mad dash to get everyone prepped for the state tests.
Ahh.. spring break. Looking forward to that. 🙂
After reading your post, I immediately started counting the crates in my head trying to figure out how I could configure them to make a fort! My second graders are in their second week of CogAt and Iowa Testing here in Ohio, and have been an anxious, acting-out, "I feel sick" kind of class since we started. A retreat, a refuge, a calm place in their storm is what they need. Thanks for inspiring me to make it happen! I'm going to raid my linen closet now for blankets and sheets!
Keep calm and keep doing what is BEST for children….
~Jennifer
STORIES AND SONGS IN SECOND
They'll love you for it!
Christi…your post today speaks so closely to my doctoral dissertation (and my heart as a teacher) that I would love to quote parts of it in my work. So few people understand what we put children through in the name of school and advancement. Thanks for your wonderful insight and for making my day! I'm now off to grade 100 writing assessments…
Absolutely!
Kids all over the US are subjected to crazy amounts of testing, and in many cases, our livelihood depends on the outcome. Everyone is stressed in this, and for no good reason. I am so glad you spoke up, it's nice to know other people feel the same way.
It's time to stop being afraid to speak up! 🙂
I think that my kidney-shaped reading table and crate seats would make a lovely fort 🙂
Totally, take pictures! 😉
I totally get it!! Love what I do, but hate the circumstances many days. But, we do it for the kids.
Yes, they are definitely the reason I get up in the morning.
Thanks for the reminder of why we do this!!
Rachel
A Tall Drink of Water
Preach on, sister! Even with all of the new curriculum and standards coming our way this year, we have been growing as educators. As soon as the mention of standardized tests was uttered, the level of stress in our building shot through the roof. What did I do? Made waffles with all 7 of my remedial math students. It was one of the best days ever. Keep it up lady!
Not 7 students, 7 classes of elementary students….see what the stress has done already? LOL
AMEN…so reassuring to know that I am not alone in this. I teach 3rd in AZ and feel the same way. Building a fort sounds like just what we will do!!
Great post! I had to share with my friends.
Beautifully said, Christi!!