After months of practicing, we held our Winter Concert on Friday. Finding out it was on a Friday night was a little disappointing, but it ended up being incredibly fun. During the chaos of school days, I often forget how adorable kids can be. Seeing them all dressed up (one student was in a tuxedo, one wore a kilt, my favorite outfit included a top hat) and filled with nerves about performing reminded me that I am lucky to spend my days with (mostly) sweet and innocent little kiddos.
On a different note, we just had our OAKS training. OAKS is Oregon's version of standard state testing. After reaching third grade, kids have to take the test yearly. This year our school wide goal is to drastically raise our sad math scores. This has meant a double dose of math daily on most days. Tuesday afternoons have turned into math test preparation, working on topics specifically found on the test. I typically find specific test preparation a waste of time (students will be prepared if they are being successfully taught throughout the year), but because we use direct instruction to teach math at our school, the kids are missing out on a lot of the math terminology used on the tests and students are working at their ability level, not necessarily their grade level. Tuesdays are used to teach our students their grade level standards and introduce test vocabulary.
Past Tuesdays have included fractions and subtraction with borrowing; this Tuesday we are working on geometry. The kids are scheduled to take the test in March and are able to take it twice (if they don't pass the first time). I will keep you posted on their progress. They are working incredibly hard and I hope it is reflected in their scores!
