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Their Generation

A week of testing.  A week of focusing on questions, answers, filling in bubbles, writing responses, and explaining their thinking.  A week of specials being turned around.  A week without the math, reading, science or social studies lessons.  A week without stations or volunteers in the classroom (except one read-aloud).  A week of desks being situated in rows like the old days.  A week of being able to chew gum or have mints while in school.  A week of no homework.


ISAT time can be stressful for kids, teachers  and parents.  It is amazing how much we all really depend on our routines.  There is a sense of security in expectations being fulfilled, schedules being adhered to, and plans unfolding as you laid them out.  ISAT time disrupts that and forces a new routine on kids...which in turn, spills over into the lives of the teachers and parents.

Kids today are part of the generation that is connected worldwide.  They are used to being able to make some sort of contact with others in an instant.  They are being taught in the ways of collaboration.  They are encouraged to help one another, problem-solve together, while at the same time express their individuality.  

ISAT time asks them to put their natural tendencies and learned behaviors aside.  Their natural tendency to be social tries its best to break through the ISAT wall.  Their natural tendency to want help with things they are not quite sure of creeps its way past the directions that I cannot help them.
Their learned behaviors are challenged during ISAT; "ask for help when you need it" is what we've taught our kids.  They cannot ask for help, though.  They are on their own.  They are flying solo.

ISAT week is a time of jumbled schedules, both at school and at home.  ISAT week is a time when faith is placed in the children to do the best they can.  It's a time when the challenge is more than simply academic...it reaches into the social and emotional worlds of our kids.

My students did a wonderful job tackling these challenges throughout the week.  I hope that you take a moment this weekend to acknowledge the efforts they took in school this week to meet the challenges and work within them.

    
Mr. Casten
March 7, 2014
Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten

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