tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post2060349911304568127..comments2023-10-23T09:23:22.051-04:00Comments on Your Schools: How do you test the tykes?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-13127888741046334712013-10-15T14:46:54.126-04:002013-10-15T14:46:54.126-04:00Thanks for all your support.
Maybe when that Bumg...Thanks for all your support.<br /><br />Maybe when that Bumgarner fellow steps aside, I'll consider filling the void.<br /><br /><br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-27111415906401119172013-10-15T13:58:30.225-04:002013-10-15T13:58:30.225-04:00Shamash for President!Shamash for President!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-32618245041028970772013-10-15T11:04:13.587-04:002013-10-15T11:04:13.587-04:00Clearly, Shamash should be in charge of Dept. of E...Clearly, Shamash should be in charge of Dept. of Ed.<br />Clearly, Shamash should take over June Atkinson's job.<br />Clearly, Shamash should be in charge of CMS.<br />Clearly, Shamash should be in charge of teacher education programs.<br />Clearly, Shamash should be in charge of our individual classrooms.<br />Clearly, Shamash should write a parenting manual.<br />Heck...Clearly, Shamash should be the only one allowed to have kids.<br />Problems...solved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-50337171105500564452013-10-15T08:05:35.123-04:002013-10-15T08:05:35.123-04:00Anon 6:13.
So, given your experiences with MAP te...Anon 6:13.<br /><br />So, given your experiences with MAP testing, how confident are you that CMS (or NC for that matter) will successfully design "assessments that help young children learn."<br /><br />Keep in mind that we're talking about the "whole child" here, not just a few academic subjects.<br /><br />(I suspect they won't be too good at it, but that's just from my insular perspective).<br /><br />Maybe they can throw in a little "Cultural Competency" testing as well.<br /><br />And maybe a few remedial lessons in Mandarin for the "Culturally Challenged".<br /><br />(Oh, I forgot, "Cultural Competency" is probably NOT about THAT culture of over a billion people since THEY don't have lobbyists preaching and protesting on the capitol doorsteps.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-62078418868522034532013-10-15T07:03:36.885-04:002013-10-15T07:03:36.885-04:006:13am You hit the nail on the head! Thanks for e...6:13am You hit the nail on the head! Thanks for enlightening the rest of us with your teacher perspective. Good luck this year to all of the concerned, competent and caring teachers.<br /><br />It would help us more if the Teachers stood up and complained about this, seeing that they are the ones on the front line and see what it is doing, and how it is affecting our students. Most parents are just out of the loop on this one.Carol S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-14684110534399302342013-10-15T06:13:08.027-04:002013-10-15T06:13:08.027-04:00Let's talk about computerized MAP testing whic...Let's talk about computerized MAP testing which began this year and has been inflicted on every student, including 5-year-old Kindergartners. What a wonderful introduction to what NC schools have become.<br /><br />Little kids crying in frustration, bored out of their minds, feeling like failures because they can't make heads or tails out of many of the questions - which are notoriously ill-designed. Teachers are just sick about it, recognizing that week after week of testing young children in a silent room, hour after hour, is abusive and does nothing to instill a love of learning.<br /><br />It's no exaggeration to say that most schools spent the first six weeks of this school year rotating classes in and out of computer labs, lost time which could have been spent actually teaching and learning.<br /><br />Consider also that all instruction will cease again sometime in early April, as once again teachers are forced to drill students on what they can only suppose might be on the end of grade tests. That leaves us with roughly seven months' of content learning - leaving our kids that much further behind states which haven't succumbed to testing madness.<br /><br />Note that it is currently illegal for a NC parent to opt their child out of these tests, upon which now rest a significant part of every teacher and principal's compensation for the year. No matter if your child is hospitalized or severely disabled and incapable of speech, he or she WILL be forced to take this test.<br /><br />Does no one see how this scenario is a recipe for disaster? Students will be bullied and abused and, as tests scores have been monetized, cheating by WILL happen by teachers and administrators whose value as educators is now based in large part on student test scores.<br /><br />This is my last year as a NC teacher. My job is to help each of my students learn a broad curriculum and develop into responsible, caring, contributing members of society. I can't stomach what all this testing is doing to them - primarily robbing them of their right to an education.<br /><br />Parents, I urge you to volunteer in your child's school, and to drop in as often as you can. CMS has some amazing teachers who care deeply about their students as individuals. If current trends continue, these teachers will be pushed out of the profession. Carefully watch your school's calendar for the dozen or more state or federally required standardized tests your child will take over the course of the year. Question the necessity and purpose of these tests, and don't settle for the lie that they "measure student learning" or "measure growth". <br /><br />They simply exist to line the pockets of testing companies like Pearson and give NC legislators the satisfaction of once again sticking it to teachers and students. An uneducated population is easier to control, and that's what it all boils down to.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-24153456832267277702013-10-14T22:07:56.757-04:002013-10-14T22:07:56.757-04:00If you want to read something else to let you know...If you want to read something else to let you know that disaster is on the horizon for our students, read the proposed CMS Strategic Plan 2018. <br /><br />And there it is again, Cultural Competency.<br /><br />Need to reword and call it Cultural Incompetency and get the focus on getting some students to act civilized.For what its worthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-83269564767243410202013-10-14T20:08:23.828-04:002013-10-14T20:08:23.828-04:00Tackling the bell schedule is just a warmup for so...Tackling the bell schedule is just a warmup for solving the "whole child" learning problems in CMS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-47480244480436919692013-10-14T19:52:37.307-04:002013-10-14T19:52:37.307-04:005:56 I couldn't agree more. All the hoopla fo...5:56 I couldn't agree more. All the hoopla for that?<br /><br />At least CMS did away with the 7:30am elementary start time. Now they need to do some serious work and get rid of the ridiculous 7:15am high school start time. It would only benefit our high school students. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-77837026783471058842013-10-14T18:41:40.712-04:002013-10-14T18:41:40.712-04:00Pamela,
Teaching is a leap of faith and a commitme...Pamela,<br />Teaching is a leap of faith and a commitment to public servitude. I appreciate your words of encouragement. <br /><br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-76207492515153023322013-10-14T18:31:45.140-04:002013-10-14T18:31:45.140-04:00Good luck Alicia! The biggest problem with fourth...Good luck Alicia! The biggest problem with fourth graders is usually boredom, and I'm sure you're never boring! There is a lot to learn, though. Not a job I'd have the guts to take on.Pamela Grundynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-72321515559775118812013-10-14T18:27:49.755-04:002013-10-14T18:27:49.755-04:00Rock Cycle:
Sedimentary, Metamorphic, Igneous.
...Rock Cycle:<br />Sedimentary, Metamorphic, Igneous. <br /><br />Gold star to anyone who can identify NC's state mineral AND state rock! <br /><br />Alicia<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-39029764146859240752013-10-14T18:19:09.660-04:002013-10-14T18:19:09.660-04:00Focusing on teaching my first 4th grade science le...Focusing on teaching my first 4th grade science lesson on Thursday - NC Rocks and Minerals!<br /><br />I appreciate any and all support because being an effective teacher is all about learning to sink and learning to swim. <br /><br />AliciaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-59445539248322138402013-10-14T17:56:38.232-04:002013-10-14T17:56:38.232-04:00Wow, that report on bell schedules-underwhelming a...Wow, that report on bell schedules-underwhelming at best. I won't hold my breathe waiting for anything to change. <br /><br />Frankly, those with late bell schedules need to get over it!<br /><br />Everyone should be concerned with the high school early start.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-22172552989614802512013-10-14T17:12:30.795-04:002013-10-14T17:12:30.795-04:00Well, I'm just having a little problem with th...Well, I'm just having a little problem with the obvious disconnect between reality of the K-2 math, reading, science and social studies tests being a "waste of time" and these new tests to evaluate the "whole child".<br /><br />Isn't it supposedly easier to develop tests for "hard" skills vs tests for "soft" skills?<br /><br />And so they fail at the easy tasks, but somehow think they'll be successful at the more difficult tasks?<br /><br />Not sure what they teach in those "education" courses, but that sounds bassackwards to me.<br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-66367818159363983902013-10-14T16:35:40.013-04:002013-10-14T16:35:40.013-04:00Shamash,
With universal pre-K looming, potty trai...Shamash,<br /><br />With universal pre-K looming, potty training by teachers is just around the corner....Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-80096042178651434022013-10-14T16:21:02.954-04:002013-10-14T16:21:02.954-04:00Wiley,
I think what we're seeing is the class...Wiley,<br /><br />I think what we're seeing is the classic bait and switch.<br /><br />Since they can't teach reading, writing, and arithmetic worth a hoot, they're now going to develop the "whole child".<br /><br />I just don't see how that exactly falls into their area of expertise, though.<br /><br />And if they can't teach the "basics" due to overcrowding and lack of resources, then how good are they going to be at "whole child" development given the same resources?<br /><br />It just seems that the schools are getting more and more off course.<br /><br />And something will have to give.<br /><br />And I suspect it will be the academics, as usual.<br /><br />I'd just hate to be the teacher who gets evaluated on that load of carp.<br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-1478791739134241232013-10-14T16:20:57.755-04:002013-10-14T16:20:57.755-04:00Well, I was trying to find total conscientiousness...Well, I was trying to find total conscientiousness and went to study with the Tibetan monks for six months. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-45631469208938349052013-10-14T15:57:19.342-04:002013-10-14T15:57:19.342-04:00Geez, Anon 3:19.
There are probably TWO things ou...Geez, Anon 3:19.<br /><br />There are probably TWO things our little insular nuclear family (with our excessive "personal immersion" programs) shouldn't be attacked on...<br /><br />Math and Mandarin.<br /><br />Our idea of "personal immersion" was to send my son to Beijing for six months to be with his grandparents when he was 3 years old.<br /><br />Worked like a charm.<br /><br />Along with several other visits back and forth with extended family as well.<br /><br />So, duh, maybe we wouldn't be as impressed with those CMS Mandarin "immersion" classes as you think.<br /><br />(Wow, you really stepped into deep doo-doo on that...)<br /><br />Did I mention that I also taught EFL in China for a year?<br /><br />So what's next? <br /><br />Some slight against our "social skills" because we don't "fit in" to the CMS "standard"?<br /><br />Yeah, since that's the way things are going based on what that report seems to say is so important to evaluate.<br /><br />But, in my opinion...<br /><br />People who cannot teach arithmetic should not be playing psychoanalyst with our children.<br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-29106763890183361962013-10-14T15:48:44.516-04:002013-10-14T15:48:44.516-04:00Test the kids? Test their parents!Test the kids? Test their parents!For what its worthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-89508056714665291282013-10-14T15:33:19.640-04:002013-10-14T15:33:19.640-04:00So why have we wasted a few hundred million on Bri...So why have we wasted a few hundred million on Bright Beginnings (and continue to do so) when they can't even decide on how to teach and test kids in K-3?<br /><br />If the NC high court rules against the state on pre-K, get ready for a train wreck.<br /><br />What these little K-3 tykes are learning will be a moot point.Wiley Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16966764080565903720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-30697129284836446442013-10-14T15:19:47.769-04:002013-10-14T15:19:47.769-04:00Shamash,
Too late to put your personal immers...Shamash,<br /> Too late to put your personal immersion offspring into the Waddell language program to test their language acquisition skills. Try that with Mandarin, Japanese or any of the other languages in the other magnets. If you saw what teachers and assistants do to set these k-3 students up for a lifetime skill you might change your tune. Nah, on the other hand it's more than likely just not special enough.............. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-39800477333837098232013-10-14T15:08:28.336-04:002013-10-14T15:08:28.336-04:00Well, whatever.
I seriously doubt that the great ...Well, whatever.<br /><br />I seriously doubt that the great teachers you've seen care one whit about the gobbledygook in that report.<br /><br />And I also doubt that any of it would change the way they teach one bit.<br /><br />But it sure looks like someone is doing some SERIOUS thinking about all the problems they're having teaching kids the basics.<br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-74235301774056438222013-10-14T14:54:52.819-04:002013-10-14T14:54:52.819-04:00Just play one on this blog, do you?
I don't h...Just play one on this blog, do you?<br /><br />I don't have an education degree either, but I've seen a lot of great elementary school teachers in action.Pamela Grundynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4020455191286536580.post-52784336092787865752013-10-14T14:50:39.387-04:002013-10-14T14:50:39.387-04:00Yeah, "strategic thinking"...
Even monk...Yeah, "strategic thinking"...<br /><br />Even monkeys can do it.<br /><br />http://www.ted.com/talks/colin_camerer_neuroscience_game_theory_monkeys.html<br /><br />I'm sorry, but I'd rather NOT have the typical elementary school teacher and supporting educrats tackling that for my little monkeys.<br /><br />And if teaching those K-3 tots is such a challenge, how did I manage to have TWO children who "perform" so well according to the standards the educrats set?<br /><br />Maybe it's genetics?<br /><br />Or maybe I'm not the clueless twit you seem to think I am just because I don't have an "education" degree.<br /><br />Really, "education" is not rocket science.<br /><br />Even with all the fancy word they use.<br /><br />Shamashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886687970259841873noreply@blogger.com