...first day of testing is over...although I am not particularly looking forward to a 3-hour session tomorrow, thank goodness it concludes this weeks agonizing chain of events. The students get tired and frustrated and SO DO the teachers....my feet hurt dammit!!! We're not allowed to sit down during the testing period, in fact, we have to walk around the classroom to make sure the kids are on task and aren't bubbling in just anything on their exams.

Knowledge isn't being passed down the way it was when I was in school. I can sit down and have a convo on any subject matter, I feel I am well versed, I can defintely hold my own. Inspite of being "gifted - learning disabled" I am smart, I am an intelligent individual. On the other hand, kids nowadays are taught to take a test and pass it without retaining any of the information that has been taught...they aren't being educated, schooled, they're limited in information, comprehension, facts, skills, etc. The ABC's of learning are being over looked....and because of this children are falling through the cracks. It's pretty sad to see a 12 year old in 5th grade...then we wonder why they're dropping out of school?? THEY'RE FRUSTRATED!!! I wish I could change the system...ARGH, but who am I kidding.

My goal...for my students to leave my classroom feeling good about themselves, understanding what's been said, taught, discussed...imparting knowledge that will take them beyond their expectations...building self-esteem, confidence and appreciation for education on any level.