The 7 Flaws of Standardized Testing

Last week I talked a little about why we choose to do standardized testing each year and some of the advantages we see in that choice.  But trust me, it is not all rainbows and ponies, folks.  Have you tested your kids before?  It is not for the faint of heart.  It is time consuming at best and painful at its worst.

Let's just say this year was painful for me.

After encountering several challenges, it got me thinking about the flaws of standardized testing. I have come up with 7, but I assure you there are many more!

• Standardized testing.  The very name is flawed.  Whose kid is standard?  Really, what does that mean?  God created us all to be unique individuals.  Why do we think that every child should know the same things at the same time?  Some kids learn to read when they are 3, others, not until they are 7.  One is not doomed to fail while the other thrives.

• Homeschoolers do not typically spend months prior teaching to the test.  I know it is done in public schools because we hear teachers complain about it all the time.  I, however, do not have the time nor energy.

• We are homeschoolers.  Emphasis on the HOME part.  So gearing questions to a public school mentality puts us at a disadvantage.  Ideas like "substitute teacher" and what not are foreign to my child.

• Kids being tested come from such varied backgrounds.  Why then do we think a child should recognize and know what a check is?  Who writes checks anymore anyway!  And holidays? Don't even get me started.  We do not celebrate every holiday on the calendar by doing word searches and coloring sheets, so do not expect that my child knows or even cares about St. Patrick's Day or such.

• We are not evolutionists.  But year after year, my kids are subjected to "age of the earth," dinosaur, and fossil questions.  Please do not ask my child how fossils got on top of a mountain if you do not want to hear about Noah's flood!

• Not all kids' learning styles are the same.  Boy did I see what a problem this was this year.  At lower levels much of the test is read aloud by the tester and the child simply fills in a circle. This is not limited to just the listening part of the test.  One of my kids is NOT an auditory learner.  At all.  So every time I asked him a question he looked like a deer in headlights.  It was painful.  It was information I KNEW he knew.  The problem was how the information was getting to his brain, or wasn't in many cases.  What about kids with test anxiety, or attention issues, or the child who just can't still for long?  My heart breaks thinking of those kids sitting at a desk for hours surrounded by hundreds of other kids "just like them."  What a set-up for failure.

• Testing takes a lot of time.  It is one thing to have several days, or one full day to devote to testing.  And quiet days at that!  But my life does not typically work that way.  My phone still rings, my dogs still bark, and the house and meals wait for nothing.  When you complicate things by testing three or four different levels at the same time, well, things get a little crazy sometimes.

Yes, each year I test my kids because at this point in our journey I still feel the benefits outweigh the costs, but each year I more clearly see why many homeschoolers choose not to test if given the option, and why so many public school teachers dread test time each year.  I pray that one day we will allow kids to be kids when they still can, and then can teach and challenge them when they are ready to soar.  Their own pace, their own time, and with much success and joy along the way.

Linking up-

Blessings,

34 Weeks of Clean! Week 24- The Porch and Deck

Now that the weather has finally warmed up around here (yes, I know we are a bit behind most of the U.S.), we were finally able to get outside without being cold and spruce up the front and back porches. (Don't worry, we will head back inside to finish up some places there soon!) During our long winters, a lot of dirt and grime collects, plastic things get brittle and break, and the place just screams for a little TLC.

Just be reminded that this is not our forever house.  It is a rental.  And while we take care of it and treat it as our own, I am not willing to invest a lot of money into things that may or may not fit in our next location.  I have tried that once or twice in the past 23 years of moving and learned the hard way. For now, we buy inexpensive things, do the best we can, and dream of our forever home.  Where and whenever that may be!

So Porches and decks are up!  Ready, set, go!

• Clear it all off.

• Wash it all off.  This includes-

          - furniture

           -windows and doors

           -siding

           -cracks and crevices

• Throw anything broken or ratty out!

• Return things to where they REALLY belong. (Like a sled that had been on the front porch all winter, just saying!)

• Add a touch of beauty!  You don't have to invest a lot, just a little something that makes you smile every time you walk by.  This could include a plant, some pretty flowers, or just a mat at the door that says welcome!

Here is our little front porch-

And how our back deck looked before-

And after!

Someday I want amazing outdoor furniture and such but for now, I am learning to be content with what we have.  I did add a colorful rug and had to replace two chairs since our winds had wreaked havoc on them this winter.  Only a few small changes, but just enough to make me smile.  Until the heat comes! ;)

A quick note of encouragement... not one of us is the same situation, has the same tastes, or is even in the same place in our lives.  Some of us live in apartments, rentals, or even with family. Some of us have palatial homes while others are bursting out at the seams.  Regardless of our circumstances, we have a choice to either be content or not.  From one who moves every two years or so, may I encourage you to be content with where God has you?  He has great plans for you and your family.  Look for the blessings and be thankful - something I tell myself daily!

Week 23- The Linen Closet

Week 25- The Yard

How did you do last week in the linen closet?  Can't wait to see!  Make sure you link up or leave a picture on our Family, Faith and Fridays Faceboook page to earn an entry into our prize basket drawing!

An InLinkz Link-up

Blessings,

Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)- Schoolhouse Crew Review

I have learned the hard way that writing does not just come naturally to most children. Even when it does, it takes practice, guidance, and refinement to turn that writing into presentable material. I have also found that parents usually encounter one or two kinds of students - the child who will spend an hour filling pages upon pages with a story, (which, upon reading, you realize has resulted in just the introduction of the characters and no plot) or the child who will spend one hour writing one sentence. Lucky for me, I have had both! And I have tried a lot of writing programs. A lot! It was not until we happened upon IEW years ago that I begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel. 

A few months ago, we were blessed by the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) with a plethora of amazing products.  This Deluxe Combo Teacher/Student Writing Package Level B with Fix It 1 & 2, Plus, A Word Write Now and Portable Walls, which targets grades 6-8, has kept us busy, but in a good way.

Because there is so much to this amazing package, let me first start with the basics of what each component is.

Teaching Writing-Style and Structure (TWSS)- This is just for the instructor. Mr. Pudewa, the instructor for the course, has been filmed teaching the "teacher" how to use the program. The first thing you will hear in the 12 disk set is the reasoning behind the system and how it works. Then Mr. Pudewa walks through each of the 9 units. There are three additional disks that show you examples of students' work. The premium subscription included in this set also gives you access to video streaming and additional e-resources. The notebook included contains the syllabus and other materials needed such as word lists and stories used.

Student Writing Intensive- This is where the rubber hits the road. This 3 ring binder and the accompanying 4 disk set teaches your student how to write. The binder comes with 5 tabs and the needed resources to get you started. The child watches a DVD and is directed by Mr. Pudewa on the assignment for the day. Most days do begin with watching a segment of the lecture, but some days are just built in practice days. You can use this program from 15 to 30 weeks, depending on how quickly your child is able to work through it successfully.





Units include-
Note Making and Outlines
Writing From Notes
Retelling Narrative Stories
Summarizing a Reference
Writing From Pictures
Summarizing Multiple References
Inventive Writing
Formal Essay Models
Formal Critique

Your child will also cover concepts Mr. Pudewa calls "Stylistic Techniques," such as the "who/which" clause, very short sentences (VSS), and the "because" clause, as well as learning to replace weak verbs and adjectives.

Fix It 1 & 2-  Consider this the new way to conquer grammar. Two student books (downloadable in our case, but also available in hard copy) take you through a story one line per day. Each day you have several things to do. On day one you are taught a new grammar component, such as verbs or adjectives. You then read the assigned sentence and identify the vocabulary word in bold print. You are asked to write that word in your notebook with the proper definition. Next, with the guidance of the teacher, your student will mark the passage, identifying specific words as directed and "fixing" any mistakes found. The sentence is then rewritten in a notebook. On days 2-4 the student defines a new word, corrects the next sentence, and rewrites it in the notebook, thus copying the story one line at a time. By the time you finish the program, a complete story has been handwritten by your child and they have a separate "dictionary" in their notebook. Fix It! also comes with a Teacher's Manual for each book that has all of the answers in it as well as teacher's notes and hints. For quick reference, you can also print out Grammar Cards that cover each new concept learned. Each of the two books you receive will take you through one year of intermediate grammar at this level. There are placement tests online to help you determine which book you should begin with. Book 1 is titled The Nose Tree and Book 2 is titled Robin Hood!


A Word Write Now-  This little gem is a themed thesaurus for your child to use while writing. Word lists are categorized into various themes, making it easy for your child to choose a word without the drudgery of pouring through a dictionary. Themes include the senses, words for envy, gossip, hostility, and more. Each page has the definition of the word and uses several quotes from famous people about that word. In addition, there are several quotes from classical literature that show the word in action. Each word also has synonyms listed in groups- Nouns, Adjectives, Adverbs, and Verbs, in addition to having space to write any additional words the student might want to add.


Portable Walls- Once upon a time you could order these huge wall charts that are used frequently in the IEW program for your "classroom." Charts include banned words, -ly words and more. Now, there is a new option of having these charts right at your child's fingertips in a tri-fold 8x11 fashion. Each chart is intended to help a child quickly reference a concept taught so they can spend their time in writing rather than stumbling through dictionaries and their notes.




How we are using this program
One week at a time! Seriously! Mr. Peudewa has kindly provided an amazing schedule for you to follow that I highly recommend. Each day tells you which portion of the SWI disk to watch and then what assignment to work on. Since I am teaching only one student, we do tend to work fewer days on the writing and correcting portions. I will also move forward after just one exercise if I feel my son has a good grasp on the concept, though in many cases several are available to use. This happened quite frequently in the beginning chapters and less so on the later ones, due to his age and prior experience with IEW. Before we begin each of the 9 units, I watch the corresponding DVD from the TWSS component. This helps me see what is coming, to know how to direct my son better, and what to look for as far as potential problems or scenarios.
The Fix It! program is designed to be used four days a week, which we found to be schedule friendly since we tend to do a lighter school load on Fridays.

What we love about this program-

• TWSS- While you CAN teach this program without ever having seen these disks, I strongly recommend you do not. I taught my two older children just using the student portion of the program years ago. However, this time around and teaching my 7th grade son, I watched the videos and got so much more out of the program. Let's just say there were a lot of a-ha! moments.
• Sequential steps- Writing can overwhelm even the best of students. By breaking up the steps into smaller bites, from the key word outlines to eventually writing large reports, students are less likely to be overwhelmed to the point of frustration.
• All inclusive- Between what is included in the binders and the files you can access in the premium subscription, everything you need to teach this course is included. While you are welcome to use outside sources to find stories, there is no need to.
• Humor- Hear me say this - this is not your ordinary boring writing program. Mr. Pudewa is a "trip" as my kiddos will tell you. He makes learning fun and keeps the students giggling with his zany comments and entertaining stories. Even my 7 year old likes watching him and asks that we not watch the videos without him.
• Ease of use- I am a lesson plan gal, I admit it. I like it when someone tells me exactly what to do and when. That is exactly what you will find in the teacher's notes. Each lesson outlines what to watch (down to the disk timing), what handouts to use, what will be taught in each lesson, and provides composition checklists to assist you in grading. Student samples are also included.

• New Portable Walls- I loved having beautiful charts all over our past homeschool rooms, but let's face it, not many of us have that option, so this new format is a life and space saver!

• Fix It!- I wasn't sure about this program at first, but I have to admit that it is a neat program. It was quick enough to not bore my son and was a good solid method for teaching grammar, proving that diagramming sentences is not the only way to learn! Thank goodness!

• A Word Write Now- This is ingenious. I love that it is so thorough and can be used by students of multiple ages for years to come. It is simply a great resource for any student.

If you are looking for a strong writing program to not only teach your child to write, but to inspire them to be the best writer they can be, I highly recommend this program. They will not only learn invaluable skills, but have a little fun along the way. Who could ask for more?!

Why I Test My Kids Every Year

We have lived in a lot of different states during our now 17 years of homeschooling.  Each state is different in their homeschooling laws and requirements for testing and we are careful to fulfill all of those requirements, regardless of our opinion of them.

Regardless of those requirements, I decided from the very beginning that I would give my children the IOWA State Test each year for my own peace of mind.  It began as a sort of self-checking task and then became a self-serving obsession. ;)  Each year I delighted in comparing those little numbers and filling in graphs to see their progress.  For the most part it was fun.  OK, maybe more fun for me than them, but really they did not mind too much.  Since it was just something we did at the end of the year, they never knew any different and therefore did not complain.

And so we continued most years, spending a few days on testing and moving on with life.

Next week I am going to share a few reasons I do not like testing these days, but today let me quickly share a few advantages to it.

1. My kids know how to face a test without fear.  This is big for some homeschoolers.  Many do not test at all in their homes, especially at lower levels.  My kids take few tests, but I knew they would eventually hit a level where they would need to know how to take a test and I wanted them confident and prepared.  When my first born walked out of the ACT the first time she took it with a smile on her face, I knew we were on the right path!
2.  I am able to see where we have gaps in our learning.  Unlike someone that just gets random scores back, I see my child do every problem.  As they do, I take notes on what they seem to be struggling with so we can work on those skills over the summer.  Just because "math computation" may score low does not mean my child cannot do math.  It may only indicate they had not covered roman numerals or long division yet.  When I watch them take the test, I can see those details.
3. I have built in protection if a school board ever questions my teaching.  No, it doesn't happen often, but it does happen.  We have all read the stories of homeschoolers being harassed.  My theory is, if I have yearly testing that shows my kids are actively learning and progressing on or above level, they are less likely to mess with us.
4. It gives me confidence!  Yes, this is a selfish reason, but let's face it...when you go to a job daily, occasionally someone pats you on the back and says, "Great job!"  That does not happen often in homeschooling, just saying,  Pair that with being under the constant microscope of others and it can often cause self-doubt to creep in.  Each time we test and then are able to look at our scores, it renews my resolve to continue to do what we do and reminds me that we are indeed making progress.  Well done, mom! ;)

There are other tests out there that vary in subjects tested and time it takes to take each test.  There are also states that will provide testing materials free to homeschoolers.  I encourage you to do some research and see if there is a good fit for your family.

That being said, standardized testing is not perfect, nor for the faint of heart.  Join us next week to see what I mean!


Linking up with Caroline at The Modest Mom!

Blessings,

34 Weeks of Clean! Week 23- The Linen Closet

Let's just say that with all the work we have been doing around this house, I am glad that some assignments are easier than others.  We have a few pretty intense ones coming up, so enjoy this week, friends! ;)

The linen closet.

For us it is pretty benign.  Since we only have a few sets of sheets per bed and only a few sets of towels per person, we do not have a stuffed linen closet.  As a matter of fact, most of those sheets and towels are housed in the matching bathrooms, so our true linen closet only has a few linens actually in it.  

Instead, what it mostly holds is Legos.

Yes, you read that right, Legos.  Strange and sad, but true.  When we moved into this house, my son's bedroom space got cut in half and there was just no place to put all of the Lego sets.  Out of necessity many were put in big baggies and stuffed in the closet next to his room, which happens to be, you guessed it, the linen closet.  It is actually not too bad of a deal, except that it was starting to get a little disheveled.  Oh, and did I mention the Thomas Train set is in there as well?  Don't ask.

So, this week, go after that linen closet.  And WHATEVER is in it!

• Pull it all out.  

• Sort and purge!  Did I mention that you do not need 20 sets of sheets and towels unless you have a really large family?  Usually two per person with a few for guests are sufficient.  And sheets, well, you can only use one set at a time.  Just saying.  Throw out old, stained, and worn sheets and towels!

• Wipe off shelves and doors to linen closet.

• Put everything left back neatly.

Done!  See, I told you that was easy!

Three things to note

1. You do not always have to use a space for its intended purposes.  Sometimes it pays to get  creative.  Hence, a Lego closet!
2. We keep all of our beach/pool towels in the basket on the floor.  They are in easy reach for the kids and when we need to, I can grab the handles and take them all with us quickly!
3. The polka dotted tote on the top shelf you see is for my mom.  She visits often and we learned that it was much easier to just have a set of toiletries here.  That way, she does not have to bring extra stuff on the plane nor worry about forgetting things.  I also think you could do the same thing for any guests you have and store extra toothbrushes, soaps and such.

What about you, do you have a linen closet holding more than linens?  And how did you do on last week's assignment, the laundry/mudroom?  Can't wait to hear about your progress!

Remember, one week at a time, but get moving!

Week 22- The Laundry Room/Mud Room

Week 24- The Porch and Deck

Blessings,

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