To Standardize Test Or Not? Contest Updates

First I want to update on the two contests running on this blog right now. March 13th, is my 1 yr anniversary for this blog. Anyone who signs up to follow this blog, will be entered into a contest to win 1000 Entrecard credits. The second contest is for the Sylvan 4th grade workbooks. I have three contestants so far, all from Twitter. You have until March 30th to enter, please see the top of this blog, for contest details.

Now to the topic of Standardized testing. Here in Florida they take the FCAT. It is this week, and like other third graders, the public school, offered for my son to take it. I contemplated it, as you can use it for your yearly evaluation, and save 65 dollars, but then chose not to. Why, because I do not think at this age standardized tests are accurate. Test tasting is hard enough, and a test that could effect whether or not you can go on to fourth grade, I just do not agree with. Now I must say for the 5th grade FCAT I will probably have him take. As he gets older Standardized tests can be very useful, especially if you feel your child will be college material. I am fairly certain my son will go to college, so he will eventually have to be skilled at Standardized tests. If your child is not college material, or learning disabled, then Standardized testing, probably is not appropriate nor even useful. The sad part, and one of the problems I have with these tests, is that they use them to decide which schools get better funding. They should be used as a learning tool, to see how a student is progressing, not a funding option. I really do dislike that. So what do you think about this subject? I would love to hear from other people who homeschool, as well as public schooled parents.

With all that said, we do, starting tomorrow have testing, made from material we have covered. They are timed, and specific. I use them for grading purposes, as well to see how much information has been retained. It is a tool I like to use, for both strengths, and weaknesses.

Happy 3rd Anniversary

Yes I was married 3 yrs ago today. It was 95 degrees, and I thought I would melt in our outside wedding, with my gown on. I got out of it faster than I got into it. We have been together 7 yrs, married 3. Here is to many more to come.



Happy Anniversary MySpace Comments & Myspace Comments

American Idol Top 13, Did You Pick Your Favorite?

OMG it was such a beautiful weekend, I completely forgot to do my American Idol post. The top 13 have been chosen, Anoop got in as a surprise extra pick. Every year my husband, myself, and some family and friends have a contest to see who wins. We all put in 10 dollars, and whichever contestant goes the farthest, that person wins the pot. I have won twice, and it is great fun. This year was extremely hard for me. I like them all with the exception of two. This year I picked Allison, and Adam. We pick two so that if one goes out the first or second week, you still have a chance. I really like Scott, Michael, Lil Rounds, and Matt. It will be fun to see how it plays out. So have you picked your favorites. Share in the fun, and see how far you go. I will try to do the post on Fridays, so we have the weekend to discuss it. Have a great Monday, everyone, we are on vacation today through Wednesday.

Spring Ahead This Weekend

This Sunday morning at 2 AM we Spring ahead an hour. Yes we lose an hour of sleep, but it means we are that much closer to spring. When we lived in New York, I could not wait for this date. It meant the dark, cold, dreary days of winter were just about over. Here in Florida all it means, is that I have to clean the green, slimy pool because we will need it by April. This is not my pool, but you get the idea, of what mine looks like. Yesterday I drug out the cover, that had fallen in, and all the algae with it. I thought it was going to get me, there was so much. After two gallons of bleach, I can actually see the checks on the bottom of the pool. I guess you know what I will be doing next week. Have a great weekend, everyone. Do not forget to sign up to follow this blog to win 1000 Entrecard credits, see the post below.