Back to the real world

I can't believe how fast 9 days can go by--no computer, no alarm clocks--what a life!! I will have to be honest and say, as much as I hated setting my alarm, it is nice to back into the swing of things. I can't believe how long it's been since I've blogged. I actually forgot my password--good thing Erin and I have a connecting room, she reminded me! It seems like forever since I've been to class, since our last meeting, I've had parent - teacher conferences, and been to New York City (it was a very fast and busy trip). I think I'm behind on a blog--for the class on the 16th. I vaguely remember we were to comment on the activity we did outside. OK, memory isn't as good as it use to be, but the one thing I do remember, was thinking it was nice to go outside and actually apply some of the skills we have done, to something in the real world.

Geometry

Erin and I have been working on our master's project. We have created an interactive Geometry bulletin board outside our rooms. It was exciting to see our students gather around it and actually reading and interacting with each other and the concepts on the board. I'm not going to say anything else, other than it was a success and we are working on things we can actually use in the classroom and not just stick in a folder and file away.

ISTEP

Well, it finally came--the last day to take ISTEP! Since Monday, the day I had a student "meltdown" (literally tears dropping on her desk--quietly of course--the worst kind to see), my class had done nothing but read and write. So, of course this last day, when they are given 67 minutes to read 2 passages and answer questions on each, I had several complete this portion of the test in 10 minutes. I personally can't blame them. As an adult I would have a problem testing 4 days in a row for at least an hour a day, let alone expecting 8 and 9 year olds to do the same with quality work. It just seems, that there could be a better way---I don't mind the concept, but it seems this time the tests are geared to (trick) rather than assess.