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| Join the Slice of Life Challenge! Write every day in March! Two Writing Teachers |
I'm hosting three 4th graders in my room as an accommodation. I had each of them as a student at some point during the past 4 years, so it's a little reunion. Everyone is comfortable with each other.
I told them at the beginning of the reading test that I would not be able to answer any questions or read any words for them.
"Rats! I was counting on that!" exclaimed H, with a grin. We used to work one-on-one in second grade. She's got significant reading challenges, but she's got some great life strategies.
"Rats! I was counting on that!" exclaimed H, with a grin. We used to work one-on-one in second grade. She's got significant reading challenges, but she's got some great life strategies.
"Tell us again. Will we get a grade on this test?" asked H.
S assured her. "It's a state test. You don't get a grade." He can get anxious, so I assured all three that the state wants to know what 4th graders know and what we need to teach them in 5th grade.
This afternoon, I gave them the math test with a reader's script. Since I was reading each question, H thought talking was okay.
"I think I've got this one!" exclaimed H.
"Shhh! It's a test!" whispered A. (He's the quietest of the group.)
"That one was easy for me!" said S.
I decided to introduce the "Thinking Bubble." It's a genius idea from my friend, Amy, one of our second grade teachers: "You know, H, this is still a test, even though I'm reading the questions. You'll need to use your thinking bubble. Don't just blurt out. Keep your ideas in your head. I'll give you time to talk and share when the test is over."
"I can do that," said H. "Can you?" she asked S.
"Yeah," S replied.
We'll have to talk about the Thinking Bubble again tomorrow. I know I need to be better about using my Thinking Bubble during meetings. I'm not great at waiting my turn. I'm glad I work with patient teachers and students.
