River: I know you have questions. Mal: That would be why I just asked them.

'Objects In Space'


Spike's Bitches 22: You've got Angel breath  

[NAFDA] Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risque (and frisque), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.


Topic!Cindy - Mar 28, 2005 6:32:02 am PST #9763 of 10001
What is even happening?

At least 5 entire weeks Bobby had no homework so that the children could focus on either the practice or real testing.
Thank goodness they didn't do that here. He won't have homework this week, during the test, but that, and some practice exercises over the past week have been the only interruption to their regularly scheduled coursework.

The teachers are frustrated with the lack of time to teach required curriculum, and zero time for anything enriching.
I bet. I want my child to learn what is grade-appropriate, and am even somewhat in favor of standardized testing that makes the school system answerable, to some degree. But the tests that make teachers teach to the test remove so much freedom from the creative teachers, who are giving the students so much. It's a difficult thing to balance.

Like anything else the students, including my boys, do better on these tests with practice. The test taking tips and tricks that apply to SAT tests are pretty much the same tips for the younger kids. Look for the tricky almost right answer. Read all the answers, etc.

Thanks, Laura. Our school did offer a before-school "enrichment" program to any student who wanted to go, for a minimal fee. We signed Ben up, so I think he's reasonably prepared, except for these open-ended questions. I don't want him to be a stress freak about it though.

Cindy, Ben is me. Try to impress upon him that he should read the directions at LEAST twice. As for his writing, I'll be willing to bet that his bare-bones style is more effective than adding flowery detail. *shrug* I hate standardized testing because I think it does a great disservice to individual style when it comes to writing. Tell him I said good luck.

I'll tell him, Cashmere. Thanks. I will also pass on the tip about reading the directions twice. That kind of specific tip is something he'll do, whereas I'd only thought to stress that he had to read them. Great tip.


Nora Deirdre - Mar 28, 2005 6:35:52 am PST #9764 of 10001
I’m responsible for my own happiness? I can’t even be responsible for my own breakfast! (Bojack Horseman)

Nora, have you called your insurance company to make sure this is on the up and up?

yep, I told Tom, he checked, and apparantly it is all OK. So, I feel better.


Connie Neil - Mar 28, 2005 7:21:29 am PST #9765 of 10001
brillig

I love FoxTrot

[link]


Cashmere - Mar 28, 2005 7:40:58 am PST #9766 of 10001
Now tagless for your comfort.

I finally got an update on Christopher's friend. He was in Afghanistan, not Iraq. Last we heard from him he was in Afghanistan. Christopher's dad told us he was in Iraq. Still sucks.


Lee - Mar 28, 2005 7:53:19 am PST #9767 of 10001
The feeling you get when your brain finally lets your heart get in its pants.

That does suck, Cashmere. I am sorry for your loss.


Sean K - Mar 28, 2005 7:58:50 am PST #9768 of 10001
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty

Leif drank some purfume,

Mmmmm, perfume....


Gudanov - Mar 28, 2005 8:02:12 am PST #9769 of 10001
Coding and Sleeping

Mmmmm, perfume....

He smelled really good for awhile.


Calli - Mar 28, 2005 8:17:18 am PST #9770 of 10001
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs

I'm sorry, Cashmere.


Amy - Mar 28, 2005 8:20:58 am PST #9771 of 10001
Because books.

Oh, Cashmere, I'm so sorry.

And poor Emmett! And Emmett's parents! All the good healing~ma in the world for the days post-surgery, and of course surgery~ma for the day itself. I bet he'll be the hit of school, though, with his cool nose cast.

Timelies, in an I-ate-too-much-chocolate-yesterday way.


ChiKat - Mar 28, 2005 8:24:13 am PST #9772 of 10001
That man was going to shank me. Over an omelette. Two eggs and a slice of government cheese. Is that what my life is worth?

It's the sort of standardized testing which counts (in the higher grades--he's only in third) for/against the student, teachers, and school districts.

Cindy, these tests actually count towards the student's grades? If so, in what way? I ask because I've done a lot of research on standardized tests for school and all the experts, including the test makers, say that these tests should NOT be used to determine student achievement and should only be used for assessing a teacher/school/district.