Tuesday, April 1, 2014

TESTING 1, 2, 3 - TESTING, TESTING!


Today marks the beginning of New York State's Common Core tests in English Language Arts (ELA) for K-12. These standardized tests are given to assess where on the learning continuum students stand, and to indicate whether or not a child deserves to go to the next grade. They are rigorous, stressful and in many cases may even be well above students' abilities.  Many of the students fail due to factors such as lack of parental involvement, abuse and mental health issues. 

As an educator, I know the utmost importance of our children learning the skills to succeed in the world. However, it is not only detrimental that children succeed for economical purposes, but it's vital that they succeed on a personal level, too.  Education, I believe is more than just textbook knowledge; it is also personal life skills gained in the classroom.  A school is more than just a place where reading, math and writing are taught; it is a place where learning and growth are allowed to flourish.  As a proponent of Character Education, I feel school is a place where children learn the importance of character.  Principles such as respect, fairness, compassion, trust and responsibility develop self-esteem and character in children.

Children learn in various ways, therefore children deserve an equal chance to learn; it is the responsibility of the teacher to meet these myriad learning styles to the best of his or her ability.  This is done by presenting the material in a variety of ways, as well as incorporating as many hands-on experience as possible.  I believe that students should be shown the relevancy of subject material to life outside of the classroom.  

Education is more than just teaching; it is loving, caring, showing, communicating, and growing.  By implementing all these aspects into the educational program/curriculum, the teacher can help children use their imaginations, creating dreams and reaching their academic goals.  I believe that if this is to occur we can not make testing the only measurement of a child's success.  Cheers!!

18 comments:

  1. What grade/subject do you teach? How long have you been teaching?

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    1. I used to teach fourth grade but I will be teaching Pre-K soon. They were a handful, but I loved them dearly. They were bright, energetic, creative, curious and funny. Cheers!!

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    2. Fourth grade, I still remember and had fun that year. Pre-K sounds challenging as well. I wish you much fun in your new teaching adventures.

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  2. "Children learn in various ways" I couldn't agree with you more. And an education system that lumps kids together in one classroom with one teaching style is bound to lose a few students along the way, academically, mentally and even physically! (They will skip classes!) You sound like a wonderful educator.

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    1. Thanx. I love teaching. It was what I was born to do - whether children or adults. Cheers!!

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  3. So true. By implementing more respect and care, children could learn and grow a lot more.

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    1. Have you ever heard of or read the poem "Children Become What They Learn?" If you treat children with fairness, respect and respect their opinions and love them unconditionally they grow into adults who respect and treat others fairly. Cheers!!

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  4. Agree. There are many ways that we can learn and express that learning. A written test doesn't show the whole picture and it is a shame to judge children by it alone.

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    1. There are many forms of intelligence - emotional, social, mental, and spatial. But society tends to deem only IQ as the only means of indicating what people can achieve. For example, someone may be good with computers, but can't deal effectively with others. Cheers!!

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  5. Red tape (e.g., standardized tests) proves only that red tape is worthless.
    I can tell by everything you say, your students are very lucky to have you as their teacher.

    Cheers,
    xoRobyn

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    1. I love teaching and I love the people I teach. Much thanks. Cheers!!

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  6. I also believe that education is more than textbook knowledge. You can have the smartest kid in a class, but sometimes you put him out in the real world and he has no idea how to act. The best student ... at least I think. ... Would be one with street smarts to go along with the book smarts. LOL... How are you doing? Cheers My Friend!

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  7. Awwww. So nice to hear ya. Also I think we focus way too much on mental IQ when there are many forms of IQ - spatial, emotional, social, etc. Kids really do get a bad rap. There are many, many, many young people doing their things and doing the right things. Cheers!!

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  8. You cannot imagine the red tape here in Sicily! I am a TEFL teacher, I teach in Language schools. Once I got hired by a public school to teach English after school hours. I was supposed to start in September. By the following March the papers were not yet ready!

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  9. Really? And the only people who truly suffer are the children. I commend you on working after hours. Not many teachers do - that's great! Cheers!!

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