Question for Parents

[Erin1700]

I think you need to find a balance. My DD just took PSSA's and then spent the second half of each day watching movies, kickball, etc. I think maybe the last day should be fun but not all of them.

 

[Aliceacc]

ELAs start in NY this week. I won't even tell you how stressed my 10 year old is. How utterly ridiculous.

I'm a teacher too, and know that you have a syllabus to get through. So I'm in favor of teaching, but choosing the topics carefully. Something where they can be more active-- a lab type of activity, or math lesson on, say, volume where they could learn by discovery, would be great.

 

[gatormommy07]

My daughter is getting ready for these ridiculous FCAT's. 7th grade, I would probably prefer my child to still learn new concepts, but maybe not as stringent as normal.

My children are in elementary and the pressure they keep stressing is insane, so I would rather they get to blow off some steam.

What I don't care for is the teachers here stopped teaching a couple weeks ago and have been teaching the test so to speak.

That is what is happening with my 5th grader. All her homework the past 2 weeks has been all about the testing. She had the bubble sheets and everything. I hate the flippin' FCAT!!! At least this week she won't (probably) have any "real" homework. But I really can't wait for it to be over!!! Yesterday she told me she really didn't even need her book bag because the were planning to have a fun day. I asked her what the point of going to school yesterday was and she said, "I don't know" she was a bit annoyed by the whole idea, I think!!

 

[Mkrop]

We have a week of testing and most days are not full days of testing...Terra Novas.

Kids go to all their specials so they are up and moving around.

There is no homework.

They do introduce some new material but it is very low key.

They also take this time to reinforce other facts by having fun games with math and social studies...Who Wants to be a Millionaire or Jeopardy type games.

 

[java]

I believe all schools will switch to the same tests within the next year or two.

7th graders could handle some light class work during this time. Their brains are not going to explode, but please no group projects! My brain would explode!

 

[*JoGo*]

Mine start Terra Nova on Monday.
I have a 7th grader. I would like for him to have some down time. They do not have recess but it would be nice if the teachers took them outside to get rid of energy. I don't want new concepts or homework. Review of the last week would be nice, to keep it fresh, especially since the testing isn't between terms. That would make sense- do the testing between terms so they don't have a gap during their last term, which is the hardest term to keep the kids focused anyway. it would also be nice if he could take a snack. His lunch isn't until just after noon and the high school is even later. Being hungry on a normal day isnt fun but when you're sitting there in complete silence, being hungry is even more distracting. I always worried my stomach was going to growl and gurgle, I was more concerned about that than the test!

My 4th grade son- they are allowed to take a snack and I know the elementary teachers try to take them outside as much as possible, or run around in the gym, free time to do puzzles, games, etc in classroom. And judging by his Friday note, he will not be learning any new concepts this week.

 

[Hrhpd]

I am a 7th grade teacher and here in FL our kids are about to take the Florida Standardized Test (the dreaded FCAT).

As a parent, would you prefer that during these next two testing weeks that your child continue to learn new concepts in the classes where no test is being administered OR that your child do a fun, stress-free activity like a group project, watching a movie, etc? Testing at my school will happen every day in the morning for a week.

Just curious... as a teacher, I have my own opinion and it differs from teacher to teacher. I am mainly interested in hearing what the DIS Parents have to say, just for my own knowledge.

Our kids just got done with theirs in March. They did 2 weeks of every morning. They had a break and parents brought in fruit and healthy snacks.

They continued the regular curriculum in the afternoons, with one change: NO homework!!!! They did have a small celebration when they finished.

So, it is a nice balance. They don't blow off the afternoons, but they also are not overworked when they get home. Love those 2 weeks. But while the tests are important, our school doesn't make them overly stressful. No prior homework with bubble practice or anything. Most of the parents/kids know that they only count for school funding, so they really don't put a whole lot of pressure on the kids to be superstars.

 

[Hrhpd]

Mine start Terra Nova on Monday.
I have a 7th grader. I would like for him to have some down time. They do not have recess but it would be nice if the teachers took them outside to get rid of energy. I don't want new concepts or homework. Review of the last week would be nice, to keep it fresh, especially since the testing isn't between terms. That would make sense- do the testing between terms so they don't have a gap during their last term, which is the hardest term to keep the kids focused anyway. it would also be nice if he could take a snack. His lunch isn't until just after noon and the high school is even later. Being hungry on a normal day isnt fun but when you're sitting there in complete silence, being hungry is even more distracting. I always worried my stomach was going to growl and gurgle, I was more concerned about that than the test!

My 4th grade son- they are allowed to take a snack and I know the elementary teachers try to take them outside as much as possible, or run around in the gym, free time to do puzzles, games, etc in classroom. And judging by his Friday note, he will not be learning any new concepts this week.

Even our high school serves snack to all the kids during a break between tests. The e-mails start going out about 2 weeks before to sign up for snacks. The PTA and Booster clubs supplement. And this is a large high school (2,000+ students.)

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

My oldest is in 5th grade and taking FCAT the next two weeks. It's usually a breeze for him; he finishes in half the time allotted and is bored the rest of the time. I'd like for him to get some kind of new material, but something interesting and fun and completely un-related to FCAT subjects.

At my kids' school, the K-2nd graders have to have modified "special area" so they're not outside and loud while the older kids are testing. They usually watch movies in the gym. I think that's hard on the little kids and wish they could have their regular recess time without it interfering with the testing periods.

 

[Fishteacher]

I am a teacher in NJ and we begin testing the last week of April. There are four mornings of testing and the kids are actually sent home on a half day schedule. They come to school, test, have two class periods so that they can eat lunch and go home. I even had issues last year because I wanted to continue teaching my honors level kids during the week rather than send them to band during my math period.

Good luck to all of the teachers, parents and students out there- I know this is a stressful time of year for all of us. Also, if you live in a state that adopted the Common Core standards, you will want to "Google" the PARCC and educate yourself on what is to come in the form of testing.

 

[aprilgail2]

NY 7th grade mom here. We also start state testing next week in English Language Arts & the following week is Math. I find group projects tend to be MORE stressful than individual projects, but I am hoping we don't have boatloads of homework & new concepts introduced next week. What my son's school does is shorten every period INCLUDING lunch, which is shorter than all others by 10 minutes to begin with AND they have NO recess. I will not be happy if we see lots of homework, although I am somewhat encouraged as there were 3 major tests today, so hopefully next week will be a little lighter work wise.

I am encouraged to see that a teacher actually "gets" it. I do not get that impression from my son's school!

Our school shortens every period too since 2 hours is taken up with the testing. I have been on the phone this week with the principal of the school as I am not sure I am going to be having my daughter take those tests- you can refuse to take them and they can not be forced to take them. I am talking over with my daughter what she wants to do and then I will make my decision. I am sick and tired of all this testing- I asked the principal to give me ONE good reason for her to take the test and he could not- he said htey would be used to place kids into extra help that needed it in those subjects but for the kids who score 4's on it there is nothing that they need it for.

They already have to take those Star Renaissance tests three times a school year to "grade" their teachers- funny thing is that you hear the kids talking about how since they don't get graded on it that they are going to do worse the mid year one and then totally screw up the end of the year one so it looks like the teachers are not doing their jobs. All this testing of the kids is out of control.

 

[ForMyBoys]

The kids are already losing way too much instructional/learning time with these dang tests. They should be all means continue to learn in the remainder of the day. A recess or a longer lunch would be appropriate in between.

This is my thought too

 

[Bluestars]

If the testing lasts 2 weeks, I would prefer no homework or new material. Other than that, I wouldn't care what they did after the tests each day. I think adding some fun projects or activities would help take some of the stress away from the kids who get stressed out with testing and give the kids a chance to wind down and relax.

I do not think two weeks without new material will matter in the scheme of things.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Our kids take two (reading and math) MAP tests three times a year and then the Kentucky state tests in the spring (some grades don't take them).

I'm wondering how many of your kids take MAP tests?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I believe all schools will switch to the same tests within the next year or two.

They seem to be all moving toward the Common Core Standards, which, you would think, would mean one test. But PA is moving to the Common Core and has it's own test for it.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Teacher and parent (my kids are older, though).

I would keep the kids in their normal routine.
Shorten the class periods--other than lunch.
Continue with the curriculum, which can mean learning new concepts.
Allow time in class to do work on "homework"--may mean 2 days of shortened classes spent on what would be normally one day with homework.

 

[Help Please!]

I am a music teacher in Florida. I get to spend the next 2 1/2 weeks under a tent in the very very far back fields of our school during "Activity" time with the P.E. and Art teachers. We are using our college degrees to entertain students with 2 1/2 weeks of "Free P.E." during their Activity time...when, in reality, there is no testing happening in my building, and I could continue teaching without disturbing anyone. Woo hoo.

 

[diznygirl]

My 7th grader votes for fun activities.

 

[MrsDuck]

My 7th grader votes for fun activities.

So do all of mine!

Thanks for the replies. Tomorrow it begins and I have some fun activities planned for after the tests that still relate to our unit-- economics. I just hope these next 2 weeks breeze by for the kids (and us too!).