The One with the Big Test

This past week my students completed the Benchmark test for what we believe might have been the last time.  We are told next year students will take the PARCC.

If you have ever administered a week long test, I don't have to tell you how exhausting it is.

For students and administrators.

It makes for a long week.

I am proud of how hard my students worked all week long.

I tested sixth graders this year so it was the first time I only had to administer the test for four days instead of the five.

Not going to lie.  That was nice.

This week of testing always gives me lots of time to reflect on my teaching and to begin thinking about the upcoming year.

This year my mind spent a lot of time thinking about interactive notebooks.  I've used them before in Science and in History, but never in Math.

Next year is the year.  I'm going to do it.

I have found a wonderful resource in Jennifer at 4mulafun.  I have spent many hours over the past week reading her blog, checking things out in her TPT store, and watching her videos on YouTube.

I also experienced two firsts during this testing week.  On Thursday, our last day of testing, one of my sweet girls got sick and threw up during testing.  At the time we had two minutes left of that session and then one test left to take so I guess her timing was good.  I felt so bad for her.  I know getting sick in front of people like that can be an embarassing experience.  Of course the other students were flipping out.  It definitely added a little excitement to our week of testing.

My other first?  Saturday School!  We missed 14 days of school this year due to bad weather.  Yesterday we made up one of those days with Saturday school.  Needless to say Saturday School is not my favorite.  Yesterday was 1 of 3 Saturdays that we will be going.

The One With The Small Group & A Party

State testing began today for my students.  It's going to be a long week.  Something I may never understand as a teacher is how administering a test can be so much more exhausting than teaching all day.   I came home absolutely exhausted today.  It's a good thing I don't have any lessons to plan for this week.

I'm testing a small group for the first time this year.  I'm reading the test for the first time this year.  We tested 1.5 hours longer than the other students today.  It made for a long morning.  But watching those sweet kids working so hard makes it all worth it.  

This test is what we work for all year.  Though I don't consider myself to be a teacher who solely teaches to the test, I do stress its importance to my students.  They know that this week is a pretty big deal.  

I've started taking things down in my room.  Normally I would just cover them up, but since this is my last year in this particular classroom I decided to just take it down.  It makes me sad.  I could only take down so much before my heart began to hurt. 

With that being said, I'm ready for the end of the school year.  I love my students, my coworkers, and my school.  They are my second family.  HG is my home away from home.

But as the saying goes, home is where your heart is.  and right now my heart lives in a different town.   I'm more than ready to live with my husband and our sweet furbabies again.  I'm ready to meet my new coworkers and start making QES my home.  

And there you go.  That's my whining for the day.  

Okay fellow teachers, can I be completely honest with you for a moment.  Eeh, I always try to be honest with you...even when it means sharing that a lab was an absolute flop.  

I shared with you a few post ago about a party I'm having just for us.  Obviously I really believe in the product.  That's why I'm an independent consultant.  I'm slowly adding to the organization of my classroom with Thirty-One products.  

I love how this teacher uses large utility totes to organizer her supplies. 

The Fold N' File is also a great way to help you get organized. 

If you haven't joined the party yet and started shopping, it's not to late.  You can check out our catalog here.

Of course don't forget about all the awesome giveaways I've got going.  These giveaways are just for you as a way to help some of you earn some more free products. 

One of you will earn hostess rights for this party.  That means you have the opportunity to earn FREE products, Hostess Exclusives Items, and 1/2 Price Items!

One of you will win FREE personalization on any one item.

One of you will win 10% of your order.

When you place an order online, you will automatically be entered to win one of three great offers.

It doesn't even stop there.  If you blog about our party and invite others to join the fun, you will be entered to win FREE personalization on any TWO items!  Be sure to leave me a comment with a link to your blog post.

I'm working on reaching a personal goal and moving forward in this business.  It would mean the world to me if you would join our party and do a little shopping.    And there's the honest truth.

I'm hoping you can help me reach my goal and I can help you with these giveaways.  

What do you say?  Team Work! 

The One With Testing

I can't believe it has been over a month since my last post.  Where does the time go?  We only have one week left until our state test.  Guess that means you know what my students and I have been doing in class.  Reviewing.  They are ready!  I am completely confident in my students.  

The closer we get to testing, I can't help but think about how much closer we are to the end of the year.  I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to my HG family.  At the same time though, I'm very excited about what God has in store for me.

What are some ways you review with your students for the big state test?  Are you the type of teacher who really tries to cram as much information as possible into those last few weeks?  I think it is hard not to be that type of person when there are such big stakes with these tests.  I also worry about overworking my students.  I want them to be fresh when they sit down on Monday morning for a long week of testing.  

This year the teachers at my school are all wearing t-shirts that say Shine Bright On the Test.  Each grade level is wearing a different color.  We are also going to decorate our halls.  I'm hoping the students will enjoy it.

I have found a few things on Pinterest that I think are great for that big testing week.