Monday, March 8, 2010

CSAP Week 2

We are in the middle of CSAP-ing (the Colorado standardized test) and it feels like a marathon!
The kids test in the morning and then there is a modified schedule in the afternoon which makes all of us cranky because of the lack of a longer lunch and planning time. However, my students are really rallying and taking it seriously and I am proud of their stamina and positivity.
It's been interesting, since I teach special education I have had to provide the appropriate accommodations for the students that need it- such as, extended time to take the test, or orally read directions and test items. So a lot of what I have been struggling with is making sure that all the kids are getting these accommodations taken care of by me or someone in the school. Since I can only have 10 in my class, I have really had to take a stand for several of my kids to make sure they got over their test anxiety and were in an environment where they could test. There has also been a lot of pressure on our school specifically to do exceptional on the CSAP because we are "in the red" as far as middle schools in DPS goes... It's frustrating for me and my kids because the test is just too hard for them plainly, and they are not learning the things on the test because they are not reading at grade level. I feel bad for them, but I am working hard to have enough energy for all of us in the room and to get through the 2 weeks it takes and celebrate when its over!

Last Wednesday I had a great time taking 4 of my students to the Nuggets game for a fundraiser for a Northeast Denver Charter School. I invited 2 of my kids who have had good behavior and told them they could each bring one friend. We drove downtown and took the MallRide to the Pepsi Center and met up with other Noel people and some of my friends. It was a lot of fun for me and the kids I think, although the next day I was pretty exhausted from being out so late the night before! I hope that they always remember that game and know that they are important to me.


My parents had to put my 16 year old kitty to sleep, so I have been thinking of Horace memories.. if anyone has them send them my way. He was a crazy cat but I loved him as a member of my family. One of my students' dog got hit by a car last week, and he cried all day. I told him that I cried a lot too about my kitty and we drew pictures of Medusa and Horace. (his dog) No matter how old you are, it's always hard to lose a pet.


Sending love and warm Colorado weather to where you are-
C

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