tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post4738083895547999927..comments2023-12-28T16:31:10.689-06:00Comments on Literacy Learning Zone: solsc.2012: test plech! 5/31Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822472844833732246noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-51858205482113716602012-03-06T01:23:52.249-06:002012-03-06T01:23:52.249-06:00State testing is one thing I don't miss as an ...State testing is one thing I don't miss as an int'l school teacher! I agree that kids need more time to read, talk and write. Hopefully there will be more reforms in the school system in the states!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-22254349824360164032012-03-05T21:35:47.280-06:002012-03-05T21:35:47.280-06:00I loved this post, Michelle!! I love that it has i...I loved this post, Michelle!! I love that it has inspired so much feedback, too. This is a topic that so many of us are frustrated with these days!Laura Komoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03660151898042277596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-63542316946717631882012-03-05T21:13:42.806-06:002012-03-05T21:13:42.806-06:00We start testing in Colorado tomorrow and I am dre...We start testing in Colorado tomorrow and I am dreading it. I was at school until after 6 tonight "sheeting" my room- every single bit of print, including the word wall, strategy charts, book basket signs, etc., all has to be covered. Lots of teachers I know have been doing test prep since we went back in January, I started last week. Am a little concerned about whether the kids are ready, but am trying to trust that all of the good thinking and reading and writing they have done all year will help! Try to have a good week anyway.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13294455230627182656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-71730988822225725722012-03-05T20:50:24.008-06:002012-03-05T20:50:24.008-06:00UGH! Look at all the comments you have received -...UGH! Look at all the comments you have received - you have hit a nerve that all of us share, it seems. Test prep - test plech! It is not what teaching should be about. Hope you feel the solidarity! Thanks for the post!Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404917167112072640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-43309916653262514022012-03-05T20:03:52.098-06:002012-03-05T20:03:52.098-06:00Practice tests are a waste of time. One practice ...Practice tests are a waste of time. One practice test is fine (just like one does one rehearsal before a wedding). Anything more is too much. Time should be spent instructing, not practicing.<br /><br />Well-said!Stacey Shubitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17903206728640184043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-32033204322372621342012-03-05T19:06:24.046-06:002012-03-05T19:06:24.046-06:00Vent...we understand! Our school is in test prep m...Vent...we understand! Our school is in test prep madness and I think everyone is going insane! Thinking of you! <br />KatyPettithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06522524042087044086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-15743008220563994482012-03-05T19:04:08.483-06:002012-03-05T19:04:08.483-06:00We had the day off today for Pulaski day, but our ...We had the day off today for Pulaski day, but our testing begins this weeks as well (I too am in Illinois). The teacher next door to me has given her students at least 3 practice tests. Really?? Meanwhile, I am teaching my 8th grade students to dance (for real when we practice, in their heads during the REAL thing) every time they hear the term: ISAT. I figure, if nothing else, they will have a reason to smile while listening to instructions. <br /><br />It is good to read your venting- it is as cleansing as venting myself!Christy Rush-Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15581876400990779210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-54443569551575732682012-03-05T18:21:30.854-06:002012-03-05T18:21:30.854-06:00It is frustrating that measuring student learning ...It is frustrating that measuring student learning is still so mis-understood. I hope that some day we are heard and people begin to understand that everyone is on a life long learning journey that cannot be measured with a multiple choice question!Betsy Hubbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10492340502962987362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-70828883241440206472012-03-05T18:18:53.681-06:002012-03-05T18:18:53.681-06:00Good vent. Test prep?? If we didn't have the d...Good vent. Test prep?? If we didn't have the dumb testing we wouldn't have the good ol test prepper's. I just found last week we get to add yet another test to our testing. That will be FOUR tests in FIRST grade!!! I'm with you...really!!<br />Tammy<br /><a href="http://www.klingercafe.com" rel="nofollow">First Grade @ Klinger Cafe</a>Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14033713836621074476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-66851263768061246702012-03-05T18:12:10.563-06:002012-03-05T18:12:10.563-06:00Ugh! I can't imagine anything worse than test ...Ugh! I can't imagine anything worse than test prep. Let's weigh the pig everyday, I'm sure by weighing him often he will have gained weight. Let's get the government out of the classroom and let folks who know what they're doing take care of teaching the kids. I feel your frustration. Totally get it, and people need to hear it. Too bad parents weren't reading these blogs.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13040556032571164434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-21870302761781349932012-03-05T17:48:03.567-06:002012-03-05T17:48:03.567-06:00Vent away....we'll be there in a month or so, ...Vent away....we'll be there in a month or so, yuck!Tara @ A Teaching Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07195982194362559883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-10137303499835707862012-03-05T16:19:26.862-06:002012-03-05T16:19:26.862-06:00I love your little list of things you'd rather...I love your little list of things you'd rather give the students more time to do -- super powerful!JenniferMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603450967368808356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-87378048832092806012012-03-05T14:02:22.406-06:002012-03-05T14:02:22.406-06:00I followed you from my blog to yours. :-) I shar...I followed you from my blog to yours. :-) I shared an article with my staff last week; it was one I found on TWT. If you haven't read it, it's a must. It's called "Test Prep" posted on Monday, February 20, by Ruth. Enjoy!!Reading Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08818871260684029595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-53614635221562858862012-03-05T13:35:24.511-06:002012-03-05T13:35:24.511-06:00Yep...you needed to say it -- people need to hear ...Yep...you needed to say it -- people need to hear it.<br />RuthRuth Ayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09691244229499772525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-31655128633911992862012-03-05T12:41:56.762-06:002012-03-05T12:41:56.762-06:00Deb, please share if you can find the link! Thank ...Deb, please share if you can find the link! Thank you!!!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04822472844833732246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-46587033511015864432012-03-05T12:41:23.359-06:002012-03-05T12:41:23.359-06:00Yes, I'm in Illinois with the good ole ISAT te...Yes, I'm in Illinois with the good ole ISAT tests. Only a couple years more . . . It may be my summer "project" to dive into the research. I've read two great articles, but always looking for more!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04822472844833732246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-22138125818492887332012-03-05T11:53:51.382-06:002012-03-05T11:53:51.382-06:00Venting is good! Test prep should be unnecessary. ...Venting is good! Test prep should be unnecessary. Isn't teaching all year test prep? You have lots of great craft in this, too fun to read!elsiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01348895330633879894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-30475579001534084922012-03-05T11:21:51.986-06:002012-03-05T11:21:51.986-06:00...as I sit, I am not meeting with my groups, I......as I sit, I am not meeting with my groups, I'm not eating my lunch at the appointed time, I'm watching 504's take the test...hmmm ISATs...when are we done? I'm just so tired of the acronym.Nanchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13135130889558068676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-70007854653237200862012-03-05T09:29:48.053-06:002012-03-05T09:29:48.053-06:00I sympathize. Looking at the bright side - if test...I sympathize. Looking at the bright side - if testing starts now, it will be over soon.Terje https://www.blogger.com/profile/13569210226711674834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-16948861850492613142012-03-05T08:24:21.813-06:002012-03-05T08:24:21.813-06:00Does this test prep a) help the kids; b)help the t...Does this test prep a) help the kids; b)help the test results for the school c) give the kids something to do for the day? Or zap the energy of all involved?<br /><br />I'm sure there is positive and negative about test prep. Try to look for the positive and move into this week believing in your students!<br /><br />Hope the testing goes smoothly. Love ya mJudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12901374472056625859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-36366531642268026602012-03-05T07:16:59.109-06:002012-03-05T07:16:59.109-06:00Ugh is right. A couple of weeks ago my principal ...Ugh is right. A couple of weeks ago my principal called a few of us together and asked us if we wanted to do some "practice tests" with our high schoolers before testing begins this month. Simultaneously we shouted NO. His reply, "That's good enough for me". Lucky me!<br /><br />I read a piece about testing yesterday. I'm going to see if I can find it and send you the link. It won't make you feel better, but it is supportive of our feelings!Deb Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861392500601183208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-41790631953830465302012-03-05T06:51:30.545-06:002012-03-05T06:51:30.545-06:00Venting is good for all involved in state testing....Venting is good for all involved in state testing. It's like taking out the garbage--has to be done, but it stinks! I'm a retired teacher and am going to help classroom teachers this week by being there as a support person. I'm glad to do it. I won't enjoy seeing the painful faces though. Good luck.Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12535989955846532310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220390520594776250.post-383937418761142652012-03-05T06:32:50.592-06:002012-03-05T06:32:50.592-06:00Ugh - I hear you. I abhor test prep and people oft...Ugh - I hear you. I abhor test prep and people often think I'm in the wrong as a result. :( Are you in Illinois? I live in central IL and we start ISAT this week but my grade level won't be starting until tomorrow. Good luck!Katherine Sokolowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01613122879321312187noreply@blogger.com