First off I have to say that I do have an issue with the state assessments in schools and the high priority they take in our children’s schooling.  The principals are put under undue stress, the teachers are put under undue stress, and the poor children are definitely under much unneeded stress at such young ages!

That being said, I am very proud of my 11 year old and my 9 year old!  They are in fifth and third grades.  This was my 9 year old’s first time to take the test.  My fifth grader got a 100 and my third grader got a 97!  They did superb and I am so proud of them!

The lesson I take from this and wish to share with you is that a household that nurtures ‘readers’ from the very beginning, often turns out successful students.  There are many factors that could make the above statement untrue, i.e., learning disabilities, etc., however, I truly believe that making your house a ‘reading house’ is one of the very best gifts that you can give your children.
A tiny bit more ‘state-testing-soapboxing’ and then I’ll let you go.  I have been truly blessed, as have my children, that they have not felt the heavy stress of these tests.  Based on my experience in and around the classrooms with many of the children, this in no way has anything to do with their intelligence or aptitude with these tests.  I have seen many of the ‘smart’ kids very upset on test morning.  This completely breaks my heart.  In my opinion, these tests are making my job harder – they are working against me and what I am trying to do.  I want to teach children that reading is fun and guide them to let reading be a warm and rich part of their lives.  If our ‘smart’ kiddos are stressed over testing -> which is school -> which is READING….that could be putting a sour taste in their mouth for testing -> which is school -> which is READING.  Now think of it, if I/we are having to work that hard to re-train our ‘smart’ kids that reading is wonderful, how hard will it be to re-train our struggling kiddos?  Ok, I’m stepping off my soapbox – I promised I would, but, I really could go on quite a bit more!

GO READ A BOOK!