frosty

It's 44 degrees today.

Yesterday it snowed.

I wore a coat and fleece pants to walk the dog.

It's April 13th, well within the Spring season.

I live in Missouri.

Global warming who?

mother bird

If you are one of the two people who read my blog, you have noticed that state testing has been a central focus of recent posts. If not, you should really take the time right now to go back and review. The sarcasm and scathing wit is really not to be missed. I'll wait.

Now that you've caught up, it's time for a confession. Part of why I despise this time of the school year so strongly is because of the doubt. This is the time when I question all of the steps that led me to this point throughout the school year. It boils down to this: Did I do enough?

When he told me he didn't understand, did I find another way to explain it? When her hard work paid off, did I celebrate? When they made mistakes, did I show them grace? When I heard angry words, did I listen for the pain behind them?

I love my kids and I want them to have the best in life, and that includes the best of me. This is the time of the year I have to start loosening my grip on them, fluffing their wings, nudging them to the edge of the nest. So one question overshadows them all: Did I teach them to fly?

unfortunate reality

Tips for how to succeed at state testing:

1. Teach all curriculum by the end of March.

2. Teach only subjects that you will be testing. Science, history, art, music? Not on the test. Not important.

3. Give kids special pencils. They're magic.

4. Do lots and lots of review packets. When your kids are sick of hearing the word "packet", start calling them "review bundles" or "practice presents".

5. Spend money on MAP testing t-shirts for all of the teachers. Ignore the budget crisis. Kids don't need books or desks without duct tape.

6. Bribe.