* get the kids to bed earlier than normal (with daylight savings)
* give them a good breakfast
* let them bring their slippers to school – 4th grader got new Shrek & Donkey ones (it supposedly helps to relax them)
* provide snacks for their class because their lunch schedule will be messed up
Grade 3, 6, 7 & 9 takes the ileap, which is not as crucial. And grades 4 & 8 take the Leap test. Needless to say, I have been briefed by my 4th grader about all his special demands necessary for the testing. He is very nervous and we know he will do just fine. But they are all excited because they won’t have homework this week!
I hate all this standardized testing. I mean, we had some kind of testing when I was in school, but it didn’t really mean anything more than an extra chance to see where the students’ strengths and weaknesses lie. Now, students don’t get to matriculate unless they pass X test, so the teachers, no matter how much they deny it, teach to the test.
When my kids were in public school, they would often have study hall or quiet reading time while their teachers tutored the kids with problems. They could have skipped 2 months of school (nope, not an exaggeration) and not missed one bit of information.
Slippers? To school? Craziness… then again, my kids teacher has been known to wear jammies and slippers to their first class (hey- it’s tough getting up some mornings!) One of the many joys of homeschooling.
I am going to be in your neck of the woods on the 27th. Spending the night at the Best Western by the airport. Heading out at 0600 on the 28th to the Virgin Islands. If you want to have dinner let me know. I just need to be in the bed early since I have to catch an early flight. I plan on talking off work a little early to head down.