May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 3

[HollyTyler]

Those of you who said you would vote for my sweet cousin. You can vote now at www.Missusa.com. She is Miss Utah.
Kim

OK....I voted for her! I love her story about the craziest thing she's ever done.

 

[LiserAnn]

Yesterday night the very good friends of our friends were killed by someone who attacked them from another car with firearms. Apparently 45 caskets were found inside their car. As of now it looks like it was a revenge (the both come from very rich families, Peralta and Lopez Portillo) because of the way they were killed.

They leave a 4 year old boy and an almost 2 year old baby girl. My heart is breaking for them.

That's terrible Julie...I can't imagine. Just awful! Prayers sent their way. What will happen to the children?

 

[nskjerven]

One more thing. I went to DD's parent teacher conference and she gets perfect scores when not timed. When she is timed, she freaks out and just guesses to get done fast. Any advice from this group? She is in 1st grade and apparently with the new no child left behind law she has to do everything in one minute including read 40 words in 1 minute. Comprehension is apparently of no value to this test, only speed. Don't get that at all!! The teacher sends home the best comprehension homework that I love and then they have that stupid timed test... Really beginning to despise that law.


kim

I'm baffled that you had a time limit at 1st grade. We have no such thing here in CA. I'd ask that teacher to back up that concept with some source before you take it at her word. (not trying to sound snotty but sometimes people just take a path of least resistance and don't really have an idea on why they are doing what they are doing)

What state are you in?

 

[birkner]

One more thing. I went to DD's parent teacher conference and she gets perfect scores when not timed. When she is timed, she freaks out and just guesses to get done fast. Any advice from this group? She is in 1st grade and apparently with the new no child left behind law she has to do everything in one minute including read 40 words in 1 minute. Comprehension is apparently of no value to this test, only speed. Don't get that at all!! The teacher sends home the best comprehension homework that I love and then they have that stupid timed test... Really beginning to despise that law.


kim

My kids did timed tests in private school. I also remember doing timed tests when I was in school. Unfortunately, this is one of those things some children do better at than others. If they read 40 words in a minute, don't they test them on?? That makes absolutely no sense to me either???

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

This will be a sad Easter for us since mom passed away last December. Amy has not yet learned all of the food, and certainly no bread that mom used to make with the egg in the center. Food was so much a part of our lives.

John, You can see how far behind I am--I just read this post and wanted to extend my sympathy to you.

Yesterday (the 16th) was the anniversary of my mom's death in 2003. My dad passed on April 4, the day after Easter, in 1983. Springtime and Easter are bittersweet times for me.

I've really enjoyed reading about your, and others' Greek family stories and customs. I hope you will have many happy memories to temper your tears this season.

 

[HollyTyler]

One more thing. I went to DD's parent teacher conference and she gets perfect scores when not timed. When she is timed, she freaks out and just guesses to get done fast. Any advice from this group? She is in 1st grade and apparently with the new no child left behind law she has to do everything in one minute including read 40 words in 1 minute. Comprehension is apparently of no value to this test, only speed. Don't get that at all!! The teacher sends home the best comprehension homework that I love and then they have that stupid timed test... Really beginning to despise that law.


kim

Is there any way they can test her separately from the other kids, and not let her know she's being timed? Not sure if they're able to do that though. Just a thought.

 

[birkner]

I'm baffled that you had a time limit at 1st grade. We have no such thing here in CA. I'd ask that teacher to back up that concept with some source before you take it at her word. (not trying to sound snotty but sometimes people just take a path of least resistance and don't really have an idea on why they are doing what they are doing)

What state are you in?

We use to have them back in the 1950's when I went to public school in southern California.

Noel

 

[nskjerven]

We use to have them back in the 1950's when I went to public school in southern California.

Noel

yes but haven't we come a way since then???

I know that private school here still time test, and at 1st grade. I find it ridulous.

 

[MrsMork]

We are Orthodox, and our priests do marry. Our church has a house for the priest, and his salary is determined by our parish council. It comes from the weekly collections just like yours.

I don't think anyone has ministers or priests with set salaries, but I could be wrong.

Anyone else?

Our minister does have a set salary. It is set in the budget for the year, but does come from the donations of the members. His home is not provided.

 

[HollyTyler]

Well, I suppose I had better go to sleep. Letting myself stay up too late and get tired again would defeat the purpose of getting so rested last night with 14 hours of sleep! Got myself back on track in the sleep department and need to stay there! Busy day ahead of us tomorrow. Going to visit my mom out of town. She was going to come here today to save us the trip, but she thinks her clutch is going bad. Not a good idea for her to drive a 3 hour round trip with no repair shops open on the weekend. So we're headed to her house tomorrow as originally planned. And Chuck E. Cheese was FULL tonight....there was a line of people waiting to get in. When one family would leave, they'd let another in. I've never seen it like that! So I promised Tyler we could go tomorrow after we get back in town. Or maybe drag my mom to the one in her town. Not exactly what she'd like for her birthday celebration though. Oh well....we'll see.

Goodnight everybody!

 

[LiserAnn]

I'm baffled that you had a time limit at 1st grade. We have no such thing here in CA. I'd ask that teacher to back up that concept with some source before you take it at her word. (not trying to sound snotty but sometimes people just take a path of least resistance and don't really have an idea on why they are doing what they are doing)

What state are you in?

That is strange...they didn't start doing timed test (fluency is what they call it at our school) until 3rd grade. I don't think he could have done that in 1st grade....granted now he reads at about 218 words in a minute, but he's also a much better reader than he was in 1st grade. In fact, the more I think about it, there's no way he could have done it in 1st grade. I'd challenge the teacher on it, it doesn't make sense. And at that age they SHOULD be worried about comprehension!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

He did e-mail me and tell me Tyler seems fine. But I'll find out for myself in a couple hours when I pick him up. My mom is coming to town and will go with me when I pick him up, then we're headed to Chuck E. Cheese! She's hoping they'll have green beer for St. Pat's Day to ease her misery of hearing all the screaming kids. We were supposed to go visit her tomorrow for her birthday, but this is better since I won't be the one having to drive out of town and back.

Good to hear that Tyler appears to be better.

Had to reschedule miniDISmeet today with Lucy and Bob - lwilliam. All winter we've had an inch or two....today at least a foot. DH is plowing us out and then he'll do mom's house and DD's house. It would figure that we would get the most snow when I had plans to do something fun tonight.

Tomorrow we're going to DD's house for a pet play date. While the pets play we'll be playing poker and dice games and having dinner.

...a quiet weekend.

Yeah, a pets play, that´s how they call it now

Here are some pictures from this morning's leprechaun visit . . .

Leprechauns left shamrocks all over the porch and front walk . . . unfortunately (hide your eyes California people) it snowed!

Sophia had to find them all though . . .

She had a bagful!

Sophia left this morning to go to an indoor water park with her aunt and Amy's cousin. She is gone until tomorrow.

Carol and Doug - we got our Fish Extender today - Great craftsmanship! Cool!

Those pictures of Sophia are so sweet, I love that she had to find all the shamrocks.

I think it is a good excuse for green beer! Seriously, ALL the irish bars, and there are quite a few here . . . Mulligan's, Bennigan's, etc.

Oh my, what would I give now for a Montecristo sandwich?

How is it you celebrate St Patricks Day over there and we don't here? I have noticed it on another US based board too. This year I didn't even know it was imminent till I came on here this morning. Come to think of it we don't even celebrate St. George's Day, our own patron saint!!! We just don't seem to have any national pride!

I suppose it might have something to do will all the people from Irish descent that live in the US?

Why do they celebrate 5 de mayo? It is not even a big holiday here, it is a marked day, but it is not an official holiday (as in no work or no school). The 5 de mayo battle took place in the state of Puebla (and they won a battle but we lost the war ) and in Puebla it is indeed a big holiday, and since lots of people from Puebla migrated to the US they celebrated that. The biggest holiday would be september 16th, the day we celebrate Independence from Spain.

I was thinking that it does get cool in the winter (ask my kids who made it to almost every swim practice in Dec, Jan and Feb!) and an indoor pool would be nice... We are so spoiled...

Carolyn, who can now officially cross Laundry off her list (but may need to have Julie's ironing lady over for a visit...)

As long as you get her a working visa so she doesn´t need to swim through the river she can go. I bet she would love to visit Disneyland.

That's how I think too....hoping, one day, some day I'll come home to a service cleaning away. Maybe now that I'm working part time at home, I'll take some of the $$ and hire someone myself! Humph!!!

Well, as we say, the are the happiness of the home.

How sad. Sending prayers for the children.

Oh, Julie...mine, too! Hang in there...how frustratingly sad...

Carolyn

I don´t know what reason they gave for my friend to pick them up, and 4 year olds can understand more than we can think of, so I guess they make a story and stick to it and the truth won´t leak to them.

Short version:

The first St. Patrick's Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.

Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called "Irish Aid" societies, like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.

Up until the mid-nineteenth century, most Irish immigrants in America were members of the Protestant middle class. When the Great Potato Famine hit Ireland in 1845, close to a million poor, uneducated, Catholic Irish began to pour into America to escape starvation. Despised for their religious beliefs and funny accents by the American Protestant majority, the immigrants had trouble finding even menial jobs. When Irish Americans in the country's cities took to the streets on St. Patrick's Day to celebrate their heritage, newspapers portrayed them in cartoons as drunk, violent monkeys.

However, the Irish soon began to realize that their great numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize, and their voting block, known as the "green machine," became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick's Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates. In 1948, President Truman attended New York City 's St. Patrick's Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in America



Here is the long version:

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá 'le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially Paddy's Day or St. Patty's Day, is the feast day which annually celebrates Saint Patrick (385-461), the patron saint of Ireland, on March 17, the day on which Saint Patrick died.

The day is the national holiday of the Irish people. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland, and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Montserrat, and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In Great Britain, the United States, Australia and the rest of Canada, it is widely celebrated but is not an official holiday.

It became a feast day in the Roman Catholic Church due to the influence of the Waterford-born Franciscan scholar Luke Wadding, as a member of the commission for the reform of the Breviary in the early part of the 17th century.

Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born, probably in Roman Britain, about AD 385, and was originally called Maewyn.

At the age of 16, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. Having been a pagan before, he became closer to Christianity during his captivity.

He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity.

He wished to return to Ireland and to convert the native pagans to Christianity, but his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. However, two years later Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland.

Patrick was quite successful at winning converts which upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity.

His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.

Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead[2].He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland, although paleontologists have pointed out that no snakes were ever native to Ireland[3]. (In response, some scholars say the snake story was a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans.) Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday.

One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. This stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737 and the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing green, and drinking beer[

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by many of non-Irish descent (usually in the US and Ireland), hence the phrase, "Everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day." Celebrations are generally themed around all things green and Irish; both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green, eating Irish food, imbibing Irish drink, and attending parades.

The St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland is part of a five-day festival; over 500,000 people attended the 2006 parade. The largest St. Patrick's Day parade is held in New York City and it is watched by 2 million spectators. The St. Patrick's Day parade was first held in Boston in 1737, organized by the Charitable Irish Society. New York's celebration began on 17 March 1766 when Irish soldiers marched through the city. Ireland's cities all hold their own parades and festivals. These cities include Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Derry, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, and Waterford. Parades also take place in other Irish towns and villages.

Other large parades include those in Savannah, Georgia (the second largest in the United States and largest per capita), Dallas, Cleveland, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Coatbridge, Montreal (the longest continually running St. Patrick's Day parade, celebrating its 183rd consecutive parade in 2007), Boston, Houston, Chicago, Cincinnati,[2]Kansas City, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Denver, St. Paul, Sacramento, Scranton, Detroit, Toronto, Vancouver, Syracuse, New York (the largest parade in the United States), and throughout most of the world. The parade held in Sydney, Australia is recorded as being the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

As well as being a celebration of Irish culture, Saint Patrick's Day is a Christian festival celebrated in the Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, and some other denominations. The day always falls in the season of Lent. In church calendars (though rarely in secular ones) Saint Patrick's Day is moved to the following Monday when it falls on a Sunday. It is traditional for those observing a lenten fast to break it for the duration of Saint Patrick's Day whenever March 17 falls on a Friday.[5]

In many parts of North America, Britain, and Australia expatriate Irish, those of Irish descent, and ever-growing crowds of people with no Irish connections but who may proclaim themselves "Irish for a day" also celebrate St. Patrick's Day, usually by drinking larger amounts of alcoholic beverages (lager dyed green, Irish beer and stout, such as Murphys, Smithwicks, Harp or Guinness, or Irish whiskey, Irish cider, Irish coffee, or Baileys Irish Cream) than they probably would normally, and by wearing at least one article of green-coloured clothing.

2007 will mark the first annual St. Patrick's Day parade and festival in the Scottish city of Glasgow. Despite Glasgow having a large Irish community a parade was never thought feasible due to potential sectarian issues, however hopes are that this will no longer be the case and the event will be celebrated without any trouble.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737 as the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated, in Boston, Massachusetts

We don´t celebrate St. Patrick´s day here, but many many years ago, in one of our wars, there was a St. Patrick´s battalion (is that a word? a military group) full of very heroic men, who fought with us.

Please accept our condolences for those poor children. How absolutely heartbreaking! Are there any other family members who can take the children?

Yes, they do have relatives, but if their parents didn´t have a will, a legal battle might start to see who keeps them. And I can´t imagine what life will be for them from now on even if their relatives do love them to pieces, nothing can replace a set of loving parents.

Speaking of May 10th, here's something new I learned from my cutie pie Alejandro: In Mexico, Mother's Day is May 10th...always, unlike ours in the U.S. being the 2nd Sunday of May. Not that anybody cares, but I just thought it was interesting. And since you mentioned May 10, that popped into my head because I just learned that a couple days ago.

Yes, mother´s day here is always on may 10th, big traffic in Mexico City, since one of the most sacred thing in life in Mexico is one´s mother. We always stay at home an celebrate on a different day. Who wants to eat at a crowded restaurant and receive poor service because they are bursting with people?

Oh my gosh, that's so horrible. Is there some sort of long-standing rivalry between those families? Those poor little children.

No, if it is a revenge it is not withing their families it must be something to do with someone wanting revenge with one of their parents because of politics or work related. I think they had been threatened previously, so the person who was said to be behind them in another car might have been some sort of bodyguard.

But hey, come one, the ones who lost everything are the children, it is not fair at all.

You know you are in SERIOUS trouble if you start answering yourself!!

But sometimes it's too hard not to!

That is absolutely tragic and frightening.

We will say a prayer for them.

Thank you, they will need every prayer that is said for them.

I care. Every year at school the kids celebrate this day by honoring us moms with breakfast and songs/dance/poems. It is beautiful. Now I get it why it's always on the 10th. Before I really just thought it was close to "our" mothers day, actually the school was once again honoring our Hispanic/Mexican culture. Thanks for that info.

This is the way all the schools around here celebrate. In Estrella´s school they always have a fashion show and big breakfast on mother´s day. Last year she got to be in the fashion show, here are a couple of links from that day:

http://www.mflor.mx/catfot/cat2006/diamama2006/diamama2006302_jpg.html

http://www.mflor.mx/catfot/cat2006/diamama2006/diamama2006356_jpg.html

Julie:
My heart is with you and the children and their extended family. I'm sure that losing friends like that would be very sad. My prayers will be with you and the rest in the coming days.
Nan

All of our friends are really sad, but the couple who were best friends with them are devastated and keeping their children for a few days.

That's really cool! What a nice way to celebrate mother's day.

Sounds like you had a great night out! How fun!

China sounds wonderful...my mom went a couple years ago to do the Great Wall Marathon. She had some strange stories. One thing she told me is that really little kids (possibly potty training) wore pants with the back slit open so when they had to relieve themselves, they would just squat in the road and go. I don't know if she asked anybody about that or is making assumptions based on what she saw, but it sure sounds strange!

It is indeed done this way, EWWW I can´t imagine the smell on the streets and in the houses.

We are Orthodox, and our priests do marry. Our church has a house for the priest, and his salary is determined by our parish council. It comes from the weekly collections just like yours.

I don't think anyone has ministers or priests with set salaries, but I could be wrong.

Anyone else?

Very interesting, thank you.

Thank you! There's not enough humor in the world, so I'm just trying to do my part. I figure, even if people are laughing at me, at least they're laughing!

See what I say about your great sense of humor?, you just made me laugh with this post!

had to add this as I answered in your post and it wouldn't let me post without a character....like I really had to tell you that huh? I'm a blabbermouth I warned you...

Mmm, what can I say?

From one blabbermouth to another, just keep talking! There's always somebody willing to listen!

Oh yes we are, and willing to read too!

Sounds totally normal from what I saw my friend from Singapore do with her boys...more like no dress at home so that they go when and where ever they want. Very early potty training, like before 2 years old, even like starting at 1 year. She was visiting one day with her son and no diapers and she enough he peed right on the carpet in Molly's room. Not my cup of tea, but oh well, get out the pet spot remover and clean the carpet.

Ewww, she could have warned you! But you came out great

Julie, I should be asking you about Mexican men! One of my co-workers is worried I'll do something to offend or scare away Alejandro because of cultural differences.

No, I don´t think so, oh well on the other hand, men in Mexico are machistas (like macho man) so they expect women to cook for them, do their laundy, pick up after them, but don´t do this, train him to clean and fare for himself (like I trained hubby ) or get him to pay for a maid

I'd rather buy new clothes than iron them or wear them wrinkled!

Another GOOD tag, where is the Tag Fairy?

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

One more thing. I went to DD's parent teacher conference and she gets perfect scores when not timed. When she is timed, she freaks out and just guesses to get done fast. Any advice from this group? She is in 1st grade and apparently with the new no child left behind law she has to do everything in one minute including read 40 words in 1 minute. Comprehension is apparently of no value to this test, only speed. Don't get that at all!! The teacher sends home the best comprehension homework that I love and then they have that stupid timed test... Really beginning to despise that law.


kim

It sounds like you're describing a test of her reading rate, or fluency. It's the most current way to monitor kids' reading progress. In AZ, it's required that K-3rd gr. students are tested at least 3 times/year in reading with one of the approved assessment programs.

It's as you described it; the kids are timed for one minute and the number of words they read correctly is their score. Comprehension is not assessed. It is said that research shows a high correlation between fluency rate and comprehension. My district had begun to implement AIMSWEB during my last semester before I retired. As one of the reading specialists, I received a lot of training in how to administer and score the tests.

The strength of these tests is that they can be administered quickly and ideally often, so it's easier to keep track of students' progress (or lack of progress). We gave these one minute tests every 2 weeks to our remedial students--once a week was recommended, but we couldn't do it that often. We entered the results in the computer and could print out graphs to illustrate students' growth. I felt it had a lot of potential as a TOOL (one of several) to closely track students and give the information to parents in a visual form that was easy to understand.

The weakness is that comprehension isn't assessed at all so if a child is a "word caller" they can appear to be making appropriate progress with no indication of their comprehension difficulties. It isn't perfect, but it is a good quick measure.

The "No Child Left Behind" legislation requires that students be monitored and that they make "adequate yearly progress". How that is determined isn't spelled out, as I understand it.

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

I finally caught up with the board. More than a 100 pages in 2 nights, whew!

Today Cordelia, our puppy, got an immunization, and dd was cuddling her and being so sweet, but I think she hugged Cordelia a bit tight because the puppy bit her wrist. Fortunately she didn´t penetrate the skin, but you could clearly see the teeth marks, beside the physical pain, she was heartbroken and could not understand why she was bitten.

Cordelia is still feeling under the weather

One more thing. I went to DD's parent teacher conference and she gets perfect scores when not timed. When she is timed, she freaks out and just guesses to get done fast. Any advice from this group? She is in 1st grade and apparently with the new no child left behind law she has to do everything in one minute including read 40 words in 1 minute. Comprehension is apparently of no value to this test, only speed. Don't get that at all!! The teacher sends home the best comprehension homework that I love and then they have that stupid timed test... Really beginning to despise that law.
kim

Don´t they understand that what works for one kid doesn´t work for another?

That's terrible Julie...I can't imagine. Just awful! Prayers sent their way. What will happen to the children?

They will most probably live with one set of grandparents, unless the parents had a will stating otherwise.

 

[pjpoohbear]

I love Amazing Race!!

I knew there was a reason I liked you so much, lol.

 

[nskjerven]

Julie:

Love those pictures of Estrella. Molly saw them too, too cute. I'm sure our girlies will love chatting at/with each other on the ship.

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

Is there any way they can test her separately from the other kids, and not let her know she's being timed? Not sure if they're able to do that though. Just a thought.

If the tests are of the type I was talking about, they are given in a prescribed way--the tester can only say what the script says and the kids know they're being timed. During our training we were told that while we couldn't deviate from the script during the testing, we were free to give lots of practice outside of formal testing. I found that my students, once they got used to it, were usually interested to see what their score was each time and see if they had improved. It was also a concrete way for even the youngest (we tested first graders) to see their progress.

Also, these tests are given individually, one-on-one. Since every student will read the same passage, those not being tested can't be close enough to listen to others read since that would give them an advantage. I worked with groups of 3-6 students at a time. On testing day, everyone wore headsets and listened to classical music while doing seatwork until it was their turn to be tested.

yes but haven't we come a way since then???

I know that private school here still time test, and at 1st grade. I find it ridulous.

Our school has been giving math timed tests (required), starting in first grade, for several years now. The reading tests started in fall of '05.

That is strange...they didn't start doing timed test (fluency is what they call it at our school) until 3rd grade. I don't think he could have done that in 1st grade....granted now he reads at about 218 words in a minute, but he's also a much better reader than he was in 1st grade. In fact, the more I think about it, there's no way he could have done it in 1st grade. I'd challenge the teacher on it, it doesn't make sense. And at that age they SHOULD be worried about comprehension!

Yes, I'd encourage you to ask the teacher to clarify what kind of testing is being done and to explain how it works. My guess is that it's not the teacher's decision, but rather the school or even the school district's requirement.

 

[MrsMork]

We did go downtown for a corned beef and cabbage dinner, also had an Irish ale. Had to do it!

 

[MrsMork]

Today was blackberry and weed spraying day. I stepped in a hole, fell with the 5 gal backpack sprayer on and sprained my ankle. Ouch! Not too bad though, with ice and a bit of tylenol I was able to limp to dinner and then to the store to get milk.

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

One more thing. I went to DD's parent teacher conference and she gets perfect scores when not timed. When she is timed, she freaks out and just guesses to get done fast. Any advice from this group? She is in 1st grade and apparently with the new no child left behind law she has to do everything in one minute including read 40 words in 1 minute. Comprehension is apparently of no value to this test, only speed. Don't get that at all!! The teacher sends home the best comprehension homework that I love and then they have that stupid timed test... Really beginning to despise that law.


kim

I suggest you get a stopwatch or timer like the kind the teacher uses and practice with her at home so she can get used to it. To start with, use reading material that's really easy for her. If she's just beginning, have her read just random letters or numbers to start. You want her to get used to doing the task while being timed, so the task itself should be very easy for her. Make a chart or graph and plot her score (number correct) each time so she can see her progress. Give her rewards for small increments of progress so she'll feel encouraged. If you're interested, I'd be happy to give you more details or discuss this with you in more depth. PM me, give me your phone # if you want and I'll give you a call.