Comments on: Twelve is the new magic number because it makes my head explode http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/ Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:25:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Heather, Queen of Shake Shake http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-8823 Heather, Queen of Shake Shake Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:37:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-8823 There was a math "diagnostic checkpoint". I don't know if it qualifies as a test or not. It looked exactly the same as the chapter test, had a grade on it...that sounds like a test to me. But there were still the synonym tests, the reading benchmark test, two other reading tests, spelling, a science test and, crap, I can't remember the others, but I counted them on his progress report. There was a math “diagnostic checkpoint”. I don’t know if it qualifies as a test or not. It looked exactly the same as the chapter test, had a grade on it…that sounds like a test to me. But there were still the synonym tests, the reading benchmark test, two other reading tests, spelling, a science test and, crap, I can’t remember the others, but I counted them on his progress report.

]]> By: Rachael http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-8822 Rachael Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:23:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-8822 I'm the first to admit that I don't want to homeschool my kid. If it came down to it, and I saw that it was the absolute best thing for him because of something happening at school, I would consider it. But barring that, I am happy to send my kid off to public school. I have evenings and weekends and summers to teach him the extra stuff I want him to learn, to enrich his public education. But I need that seperation. <br/><br/>As for 12 tests in one week... what the heck? Is there some reason they couldn't have just made some of those worksheets they worked on instead of tests? That's more than two tests a day. That seems absolutely insane to me. I’m the first to admit that I don’t want to homeschool my kid. If it came down to it, and I saw that it was the absolute best thing for him because of something happening at school, I would consider it. But barring that, I am happy to send my kid off to public school. I have evenings and weekends and summers to teach him the extra stuff I want him to learn, to enrich his public education. But I need that seperation.

As for 12 tests in one week… what the heck? Is there some reason they couldn’t have just made some of those worksheets they worked on instead of tests? That’s more than two tests a day. That seems absolutely insane to me.

]]> By: Lilacspecs http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-8821 Lilacspecs Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:18:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-8821 12 is a crap ton of tests...but maybe they were pre-test type things to evaluate what skills the kids already have? Maybe not, I'm not sure, but you can bet your butt it probably has to do with The Educational Law of Garbage....erm, I mean No Child Leftbullshit Behind. 12 is a crap ton of tests…but maybe they were pre-test type things to evaluate what skills the kids already have? Maybe not, I’m not sure, but you can bet your butt it probably has to do with The Educational Law of Garbage….erm, I mean No Child Leftbullshit Behind.

]]> By: Heather, Queen of Shake Shake http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-8820 Heather, Queen of Shake Shake Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:21:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-8820 Anonymous 2:09: Thank you for your input. I don't believe the teacher is being a tyrant either. I like Payton's teacher a lot. The student:teacher here is 20:1, so it's pretty good. <br/><br/>Also, are you assuming that finding the solution to his challenges and developing skills to overcome them aren't synonymous? If you have specific suggestions of therapies, I'll consider them. <br/><br/>I'll also consider suggestions of adult therapies for the school's upper administration who establishes the curriculum/testing because they are seriously in need of it. Anonymous 2:09: Thank you for your input. I don’t believe the teacher is being a tyrant either. I like Payton’s teacher a lot. The student:teacher here is 20:1, so it’s pretty good.

Also, are you assuming that finding the solution to his challenges and developing skills to overcome them aren’t synonymous? If you have specific suggestions of therapies, I’ll consider them.

I’ll also consider suggestions of adult therapies for the school’s upper administration who establishes the curriculum/testing because they are seriously in need of it.

]]> By: childplay http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-8819 childplay Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:10:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-8819 I'll tell you what, No Child Left Behind is leaving every child behind. F'ers.<br/><br/>When I started homeschooling, it wasn't supposed to be a permanent thing. I never would have had the chutzpah to do it if I didn't think it was a temporary fix until I found 'the right place' for my daughter. I took her out at the end of 3rd grade and spent the last few months of the school year frantically trying to find a school for her. <br/><br/>In the meantime, I watched my daughter go from an uptight, stressed, withdrawn, sick, combative, rebellious, and anxious girl into how she used to be before she started public school...happy, engaged, curious, bubbly, and without any headaches/stomacheaches/eye twitches affecting her.<br/><br/>Her blossoming combined with the day she walked up to me, put her arms around me and said, "Thank you for believing in me" made me decide that for now, home IS the best place for her. Which isn't even the right phrase, because we are rarely at home and always out doing something...hiking, biking, going to various museums, taking community classes, etc, etc. <br/><br/>I agree with the comment above that doing 'school at home' would put me into my grave (I tried it, briefly, and started looking around for some valium) but the beautiful thing about homeschooling is you and Peyton can be in charge of what your day looks like. I'll tell you right now, looking back at what my daughter and I went through in public school, this homeschooling stuff is a cakewalk, and we've never been happier. So happy, in fact, that I took my son out of 1st grade to join us, and my 4 year old won't ever go. <br/><br/>It's a huge leap of faith, for sure, but one I've never regretted! <br/><br/>Here's a link to my experiences with our homeschooling journey:<br/><br/>http://childplay.wordpress.com/unschooling/<br/><br/>HTH!<br/><br/>Tiffani I’ll tell you what, No Child Left Behind is leaving every child behind. F’ers.

When I started homeschooling, it wasn’t supposed to be a permanent thing. I never would have had the chutzpah to do it if I didn’t think it was a temporary fix until I found ‘the right place’ for my daughter. I took her out at the end of 3rd grade and spent the last few months of the school year frantically trying to find a school for her.

In the meantime, I watched my daughter go from an uptight, stressed, withdrawn, sick, combative, rebellious, and anxious girl into how she used to be before she started public school…happy, engaged, curious, bubbly, and without any headaches/stomacheaches/eye twitches affecting her.

Her blossoming combined with the day she walked up to me, put her arms around me and said, “Thank you for believing in me” made me decide that for now, home IS the best place for her. Which isn’t even the right phrase, because we are rarely at home and always out doing something…hiking, biking, going to various museums, taking community classes, etc, etc.

I agree with the comment above that doing ‘school at home’ would put me into my grave (I tried it, briefly, and started looking around for some valium) but the beautiful thing about homeschooling is you and Peyton can be in charge of what your day looks like. I’ll tell you right now, looking back at what my daughter and I went through in public school, this homeschooling stuff is a cakewalk, and we’ve never been happier. So happy, in fact, that I took my son out of 1st grade to join us, and my 4 year old won’t ever go.

It’s a huge leap of faith, for sure, but one I’ve never regretted!

Here’s a link to my experiences with our homeschooling journey:

http://childplay.wordpress.com/unschooling/

HTH!

Tiffani

]]> By: Anonymous http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-8818 Anonymous Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:09:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-8818 I'm NOT trying to play devil's advocate, but as for 12 tests in one week, I would guess that with today's high student-teacher ratio, and NCLB accountability requirements, testing (or maybe quizing?) might be the only way for the teacher to ensure that all 30 of her students have mastered the material before they move on. I can't believe that the teacher is trying to be a tyrant, but rather she's probably trying to ensure that a child who may be struggling with the material isn't overlooked.<br/><br/>I've been reading your blog for awhile now and your love for your boys is so apparent, and I know how difficult it is to watch your child struggle, but it seems like rather than focusing on finding solutions to Payton's challenges, maybe focusing on helping him to develop the skills to overcome those challenges himself would serve him better in the long run. I gather that you're opposed to any kind of therapy that might result in "labeling" but isn't the benefit of identifying the problem the ability to implement coaching techniques that have worked with similar kids? I’m NOT trying to play devil’s advocate, but as for 12 tests in one week, I would guess that with today’s high student-teacher ratio, and NCLB accountability requirements, testing (or maybe quizing?) might be the only way for the teacher to ensure that all 30 of her students have mastered the material before they move on. I can’t believe that the teacher is trying to be a tyrant, but rather she’s probably trying to ensure that a child who may be struggling with the material isn’t overlooked.

I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and your love for your boys is so apparent, and I know how difficult it is to watch your child struggle, but it seems like rather than focusing on finding solutions to Payton’s challenges, maybe focusing on helping him to develop the skills to overcome those challenges himself would serve him better in the long run. I gather that you’re opposed to any kind of therapy that might result in “labeling” but isn’t the benefit of identifying the problem the ability to implement coaching techniques that have worked with similar kids?

]]> By: Anonymous http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-8817 Anonymous Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:36:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-8817 Private school is no picnic for my non-diagnosed ADHD boy. He can't tow the line like he should and bursts out the answer when he's not supposed to so gets recess and reading taken away. We are switching schools next year and I can't wait for the stress to be off of both of us. You are doing the best you can. I would probably be in jail if I had to homeschool him. Private school is no picnic for my non-diagnosed ADHD boy. He can’t tow the line like he should and bursts out the answer when he’s not supposed to so gets recess and reading taken away. We are switching schools next year and I can’t wait for the stress to be off of both of us. You are doing the best you can. I would probably be in jail if I had to homeschool him.

]]> By: Sugarplum's Mom http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-8816 Sugarplum's Mom Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:08:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-8816 Wow... 12 does sound awfully excessive. I think you should have another talk with the teacher and ask if this is going to be a regular experience so you can help prepare Payton at home too. While you're looking for other options. 12 tests in a week is ridiculous at any level. We used to have a spelling test and a math test each week in 4th grade and other tests sprinkled in... and that was 4th grade. I NEVER had 12 tests in a single week. Wow… 12 does sound awfully excessive. I think you should have another talk with the teacher and ask if this is going to be a regular experience so you can help prepare Payton at home too. While you’re looking for other options. 12 tests in a week is ridiculous at any level. We used to have a spelling test and a math test each week in 4th grade and other tests sprinkled in… and that was 4th grade. I NEVER had 12 tests in a single week.

]]> By: Sugarplum's Mom http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-10275 Sugarplum's Mom Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:08:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-10275 Wow... 12 does sound awfully excessive. I think you should have another talk with the teacher and ask if this is going to be a regular experience so you can help prepare Payton at home too. While you're looking for other options. 12 tests in a week is ridiculous at any level. We used to have a spelling test and a math test each week in 4th grade and other tests sprinkled in... and that was 4th grade. I NEVER had 12 tests in a single week. Wow… 12 does sound awfully excessive. I think you should have another talk with the teacher and ask if this is going to be a regular experience so you can help prepare Payton at home too. While you’re looking for other options. 12 tests in a week is ridiculous at any level. We used to have a spelling test and a math test each week in 4th grade and other tests sprinkled in… and that was 4th grade. I NEVER had 12 tests in a single week.

]]> By: Cindy http://queenofshakeshake.com/2008/09/30/twelve-is-the-new-magic-number-because-it-makes-my-head-explode/comment-page-1/#comment-8815 Cindy Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:56:00 +0000 http://www.queenofshakeshake.com/?p=511#comment-8815 Hey Heather, me again,<br/> Well, if I chose to replicate school at home, then I would probably be a drunk . . .LOL! Plus, if I wanted to do the same as the school, why not keep them in school and let the institution and the teachers be the bad guy? I don't want that role.<br/> So, then it's about discovering there are many ways to learn. So, what were my main goals and how best to go about it? My main goal for my first son, who reminds me a LOT of your first son, was to allow his love of learning to continue to prosper. You also see this in yours as he tries to take the humdrum offered to him and turn it into something exciting. It means he hasn't quite lost his love of learning yet, but I'm afraid he may be on the cusp of his schooling life where he keeps it or loses it.<br/> Anyway, so how did I do that? I continued to do what I had always done at home with him, I kept exposing him to interesting things, made resources available to him, and hooked into all that our community offered to peak interests. The boy was insatiable, as I'll bet yours is, and all I had to do was get out of his way. At my blog, you will find some interesting posts about our early days and the things I learned through my son. These two are some of the best: http://applestars.homeschooljournal.net/2007/01/10/the-death-of-show-me-work/ (you might like that one because of the recent test thing!) http://lifewithoutschool.typepad.com/lifewithoutschool/2007/03/from_snakes_to_.html (at a great site with various authors about homeschooling).<br/> This is getting long, but the other thing one does with homeschooling is create a rhythm to everyone's day, probably like you do in the summer. In the morning might be most conducive to free exploration where you have a bunch of stuff out on the table to peak interest, like cuisinaire rods, interest-based books, science tools, etc. as well as simply letting your sons find their own outlets. Afternoon might be community time, and evening might be family activities. It's all educational and you have 24/7 to have those wonderful learning moments, whether through read alouds, a science center exhibit, or a history channel special on Ancient Egypt.<br/> And through all this, I always carved out time for my own interests to be developed. What is a good mentor without that person engaging in their own joyful pursuits? It's all good.<br/>Decisions don't have to be set in stone. Some play it year by year. Freedom from school schedules can be rewarding as well as being spoiled at having the community arenas all to ourselves :-)<br/> Some thoughts in regard to your question . . .<br/>-Cindy Hey Heather, me again,
Well, if I chose to replicate school at home, then I would probably be a drunk . . .LOL! Plus, if I wanted to do the same as the school, why not keep them in school and let the institution and the teachers be the bad guy? I don’t want that role.
So, then it’s about discovering there are many ways to learn. So, what were my main goals and how best to go about it? My main goal for my first son, who reminds me a LOT of your first son, was to allow his love of learning to continue to prosper. You also see this in yours as he tries to take the humdrum offered to him and turn it into something exciting. It means he hasn’t quite lost his love of learning yet, but I’m afraid he may be on the cusp of his schooling life where he keeps it or loses it.
Anyway, so how did I do that? I continued to do what I had always done at home with him, I kept exposing him to interesting things, made resources available to him, and hooked into all that our community offered to peak interests. The boy was insatiable, as I’ll bet yours is, and all I had to do was get out of his way. At my blog, you will find some interesting posts about our early days and the things I learned through my son. These two are some of the best: http://applestars.homeschooljournal.net/2007/01/10/the-death-of-show-me-work/ (you might like that one because of the recent test thing!) http://lifewithoutschool.typepad.com/lifewithoutschool/2007/03/from_snakes_to_.html (at a great site with various authors about homeschooling).
This is getting long, but the other thing one does with homeschooling is create a rhythm to everyone’s day, probably like you do in the summer. In the morning might be most conducive to free exploration where you have a bunch of stuff out on the table to peak interest, like cuisinaire rods, interest-based books, science tools, etc. as well as simply letting your sons find their own outlets. Afternoon might be community time, and evening might be family activities. It’s all educational and you have 24/7 to have those wonderful learning moments, whether through read alouds, a science center exhibit, or a history channel special on Ancient Egypt.
And through all this, I always carved out time for my own interests to be developed. What is a good mentor without that person engaging in their own joyful pursuits? It’s all good.
Decisions don’t have to be set in stone. Some play it year by year. Freedom from school schedules can be rewarding as well as being spoiled at having the community arenas all to ourselves :-)
Some thoughts in regard to your question . . .
-Cindy

]]>