Testing…
Today is the day that the 4th graders in our district (maybe the whole state?) take their writing test, to make sure no child is being left behind or anything like that. While I was taking Maya to school this morning, I asked her what she thought about the test. She said, “I hope we get to do personal narrative”. I love that kid. Love that she doesn’t get stressed out, just goes with the flow. A BIG part of that is the school. She goes to a public Montessori school (you read that right…public = free), and they have to do all of the testing that everyone else has to do. But they are really great about not STRESSING the test, not stressing the kids, etc. Seems like it’s working, at least for my kid. I wish none of them were stressed by it.
6 Comments
Autumn's Mom
You know A goes to regular ol public public school. She doesn’t stress about these tests. She looks at it as Woo Hoo no homework that night! 🙂
Cherry
Free?
I know it’s nothing like a private tuition, and I’m totally out of the loop on how much voluteer and $$ anyone gives to their public school, but you sure do give a lot to your school.
I wish all parents were as active in their schools as you guys are. And from what you say, you guys aren’t even the most active.
I hope there are public Montisorri’s wherever and whenever we have kids.
J
Well, as free as any public school nowadays in CA. They all ask for a lot of money and a lot of time. And because it’s a charter school, we sign a contract that we will do 40 hours of volunteer time. So we give what money and time we can. But you’re right, compared to paying tuition, it’s nothing. We pay about 1 months worth of tuition in a whole year.
LynnDenise
Emily and I were discussing the writing test last night. She tells me that the test is a “response to literature” test. So I say, “Oh, kind of like a book report, where you read a story and write about what you read?” “No, mama,” she says, “it’s a RESPONSE TO LITERATURE!” and then she tells me all about the parts of the test. Fun stuff. Whatever happened to scantrons and multiple choice tests?!?
Gina
I, for one, am not all that crazy about the testing and the No Child LB Act.
But it is good to hear that the school handles it with a minimum of fuss.
I have been considering a Montessori school for a while for Mr. P, I am guessing that you like the teaching methods? I am crossing my fingers that there is some kind of charter Montessori around here, but somehow I don’t think I will be that lucky.
J
Where are you located, Gina? I LOVE Montessori, but I’m pretty biased. I went as a pre-schooler/kintergardner, and my mom has a degree in Montessori education. The thing you need to watch out for is that ANY place can call itself a Montessori, and the quality really varies. So you want to find a place that’s affiliated with the American Montessori Society. (http://www.amshq.org/)
Where are you located? Maybe there is a charter Montessori school near you…though they aren’t that common, there are more of them than there used to be, to be sure.