I was reading about Liz's fifth graders antics with the English language, and I thought perhaps it was time for my blog to feature another "my crazy students" story.

In the time that we have our students we have to administer a standardized test called the "qualitative reading inventory," three times, to test reading growth. If you are blessed enough to have your kids for a year you give it in September, January, and June. If you only have them for a semester, you give it in September, November, and January. I gave mine in the days before Thanksgiving, so that I would have enough time to grade the millionty questions that are involved in taking this test. During the test, the kids must read a text and then answer questions about it. The text for the 4th grade reading level is about Amelia Earhart and one of the questions is "What do you think Amelia Earhart was doing right before her plane crashed?"

The answer the test is looking for: Anything mentioning the Bermuda Triangle or flying over the ocean.

Answers my ninth graders gave, included, but are in no way limited to:

* Trying to fix the plane
* Trying to jump out of the plane
* Calling for help
* Praying
* thinking "oh shit, I'm gonna crash"



Dear Standardized tests,
Do not ask students "what do you think..." questions, because while none of those answers is right, all of those answers are reasonable.

Much Hate, Make yourselves less grading intensive,

Miss Bos

So some things happened this weekend that were less than pleasant. I was the closest I've been to telling TfA to take a long walk off a short pier, and take their minions with them. But instead, I know the bigger person would calm themselves down, draw on the words of Col. 3:12-13*, and move on with their lives. So here I am moving on.

It was a decent weekend complete with a coffee house, book store, grading, tv watching, and doing the dishes I'd been putting off all week. We have half days tomorrow and Thursday and the day off on Wednesday. While most teachers are turning Wednesday into a "catch up day" for themselves. I've decided to make it a "I never get to..." day. I'm turning off my alarm clock, staying in my PJ's, knitting, reading for fun, writing for fun, and refusing to let things stress me out. Somedays you need just that. But in order to be prepared for that I have to make it through the rest of the day today, and tomorrow.

Also the Christmas break count down has begun. I'll be arriving in Grand Rapids in 40 days.

I literally can't wait.

Much Love-
Kim








* Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.