Tomorrow is our STAAR writing test. I hope my 4th graders do well and show what they know. However, it is just a day. This test does not change their smile or what I think about them. It does not define their future or what they are capable of achieving. It is merely four hours of their life.
One day.
One chance to show the state what they know and what they have learned.
I pray they know how precious they are to me. I do not see them as the score that they get. They are so much more.
So, tonight as a I reflect on what to write on here, I can't get my writers off of my mind.
I wonder if they know.
Have I told them?
Do they know?
All of them are SO much more!
I am sure that they will do well. However, a test for 4th graders (9-10 year olds) that will take 4 hours. No wonder our students are stressed.
ReplyDeleteWell, true, but I try very hard to not make a big deal out of the fact that it is a four hour test! They do really well with it.
DeleteMy son's teacher gave them a letter right before our state testing telling them everything we hope they know. I think I might do the same. I hope they know!
ReplyDeleteI have written letters, too! Letters to our kiddos are powerful!
DeleteYour students are lucky to have a teacher that sees them as so much more & cares about them so deeply!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteOver the course o the semester I'm sure there have been countless times you've let them know just how much you mean to them. I hope the test goes smoothly but 4 hours is ridiculous. But then again I think state testing is ridiculous in general.
ReplyDelete4 hours was a long time, but I had many who needed more. We made it!
DeleteDo you know Hooray for Diffendoofer Day (Seuss, Prelutsky & Smith)? You'll like these lines:
ReplyDeleteWe've taught them that the earth is round
That red and white make pink
But something else that matters more
We've taught them how to think!
You're creating thinkers, readers, writers -- they know in their hearts and they'll know when you tell them how much you believe in them, too!
Oh, I love your literary reference! A perfect comment to calm my heart!
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