Today was the last day of test prep for the year. Standardized testing begins next week. I resisted the temptation to vent about testing for the past 4 weeks of test practice because what more can I say that I haven't already said. However, after the kids left today I took some time cleaning up the room and preparing for next week. With 6 weeks left in the school year, I spent the afternoon taking down any evidence of academics because, god forbid, I leave something up that might be on the test. Funnily enough, even though we're only testing language arts and math, I also had to take down the materials from the science unit I'm in the middle of teaching. Each day, the test takes an hour more or less to complete. With a daily schedule of 8:00am to 3:00 PM, that leaves us with approximately 5 hours left in the day to keep the kids busy, like maybe by teaching. The worry about securing the tests has become almost as important as the test itself. (Even more silly is this is the last year we will be taking this test, so why does it even matter, but that's a different post). We still have so much time left in the day and the year that it's illogical to require schools to remove materials used for teaching, especially ones that aren't even on the test. We'll be doing a lot of "busy work" simply to make it through the day. Which is unfortunate and really boring. As I took things down, I also had a twinge of worry that baring the classroom will be more of a distraction to the kids than leaving instruction there. Most wouldn't even notice if I posted the answers on the board, but panic might set in for some who have used the learning materials in the room.
After a couple of months sabbatical (due to being too busy for anything more than walking the dog 3 miles each day, which is a must) from Jillian Michaels' Shred workout, I got back to it this week. And I'm in utter PAIN! It's a good work out, and before I stopped I was on level 3. Level 1 has literally leveled me. Having used muscles that I haven't used in awhile, well lets just say my thighs scream when I sit, stand, or walk down the stairs, my abs cramp when I lean forward or roll over in bed, and I can't lift my arms...all evident by my repeated guttural cries of "Ow, ow, ow" when any of these muscles are used, even the thought of using them hurts. A good reminder to not stop in the first place.
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A small tip that will east things a little. Reduce starch, bread potatoes rice corn whathaveyou. Then make certain you have a good supply of B Vits and make certain you take whatever starch you have is wholegrain. And something that might seem counter intuitive, oil. Olive oil is what I use. It is utterly amazing, if I climb the mountain after eating starch, it is harder and it takes longer to recover. Longer as in days rather than hours. And I can tell you that was one nasty expensive lesson to learn.
ReplyDeleteThat little witch is a decedent of Quintus Arrius, Ben Hur on the galley.
DeleteYes, even through the tv screen she's a little bit scary. Hmmm, I'll have to have a think about the starch. Try to limit anyhow, but tracking when eaten in relation to working out is something I haven't done. I'll have to give it a try. As for the oil, evoo is all I cook with. Are you using it in other ways?
DeleteYes, you need the oils to aid absorbing the vitamins. I use OO instead of butter. I use about two pints a month all to my little ol'self. Wealll, maybe not, more a pint and a bit. I rarely fry though, I grill, so natural fats are lessened.
DeleteOther ways ?. What could you possible mean.
Ha ha! I don't know, that's why I asked. :). Actually, I've been reading a bit about oil pulling which has been said to alleviate sinus issues. The thought of it creeps me out a bit, but I'm still intrigued.
DeleteNow that pulling/swishing I'd not seen before. Hard to see what it would do. Perhaps it sorts cons the rest of the gastrointestinal tract into popping before food. Like a aperitif. Mind you I think I'd prefer a dry sherry. Oils would be a bit slicky in the mouth. Still worth a shot.
Delete"They" say it pulls out toxins from ther body. Very well could be an old Indian wives tale. The consistency is what's made me not try it yet.
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?list=RD02Y0T-1VQMxlU&v=WXh1tW16V-8&NR=1&feature=endscreen
DeleteThis is the reference from above btw, Quintus Arrius is the fellow calling the order.
It's been years since I saw it in an ancient civ class. Doesn't Ben Hur end up saving his life after this?
DeleteI bet their arms hurt too. ;)
In H-I-G-H school ?. Your parents cooked you well
DeleteI feel your pain...and not from working out, but from testing. I have been so lucky to have been teaching K for the past 19 years and 1st this year and not have to prep and give teh tests...but next year I will move to 2nd and dread the testing. It has changed SOOOOO much since I began teaching....the tests could remain on my desk, I didn't have to cover up what I was teaching on the boards and less days of testing. My first year in 2nd grade they actually gave the tests to Kinder! "Fill in the bubble for the capital letter A!" Imagine that!
ReplyDeleteNow as for muscle pain, I took my class on a 2 mile hike to the library...downhill...and then return trip 2 miles up! The next day was our May Day walk...and the parents were more sore than the kids!
Happy Weekend!
*And no, not moving schools- I have taught in two districts and two different schools in each district.
Well no, good news for you...as far as I know the state has decided to pull grade 2 testing next year due to the switch to common core. Wisely they realized giving the test next year is ridiculous because there won't be any match scores to compare it to and next year is the last year for star for everyone. It'll save them tons of money too. Why they don't pull it for all grade levels so we have a year to transition, but regardless right now there is no 2nd grade test for common core, so for now we have to get through this year's and then maybe we're done. Fingers crossed.
DeleteI woke up this morning feeling much less muscle pain than earlier this week, what a relief.
The whole taking things down makes me crazy...but who cares! Last time! YEAH!!!! I did the Jillian Micheals shred once...just about died. It is wrong when it hurts to pee.
ReplyDeleteLet's put that a different way...it doesn't hurt to pee, it hurt to sit down to pee. :)
DeleteTwo weeks and NO MORE STAR, ever again!!!
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Standarized testing is what is going to drive good teachers away and all the kids are going to be taught by robots.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried Jillian Michaels Kettle bell shred? Level 2 kicks butt!
Hopefully common core and the critical thinking and reasoning components will change the robot thing. We're in for quite a shock when the kids educated over the lasts 10 years or so get jobs (maybe) and their employers realize they can't think themselves out of a paper bag. So the change will be good. Although, I don't think Texas adopted them instead sticking with standardized testing.
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