Writitng tests?

http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/C73A0EB5-E461-4EDE-BC63-0A9EEC51A944/54729/Writing_on_Test3.jpg

People like to moan. They seem to enjoy a good grumble. 

Sometimes , of course having an issue with something is legitimate.

This week I have heard my fair share of grumbling.

Even from people whose children are not in this schooling system. Yikes!

It is  exam time after all.

I guess grumbling is part of the exam thing!

People experience exams as negative and stressful because they can be. It is a time of focused or lack there of- concentration on school work.

Our children attend a school where children write exams from grade 4 onwards. The exams are based on the work done during the term and for Maths, English and Afrikaans, the work covered over the year.

While writing tests or exams can be full on, I choose to see them in a different light.

I tutor children and so totally understand the struggles children have and the anxiety parents have when children struggle to concentrate ; focus; remember what they have learnt ; put it all together. 

Here are some positive reasons to write tests and exams.

* information is consolidated 

* studying skills are practiced and refined as the child matures

* children practice different types of questions ( gone are the old regurgitation only kind of questions) children have to think and apply the work

* parents get involved in the learning process ( positively - this can be successful. I have seen parents really help struggling children)

* it is ONE of the ways to assess children

* children who struggle in class assessments , sometimes thrive in test times

* the child can take ownership of his or her learning - understanding where he stands in relation to his peers. I think this is one of the healthiest parts of school. All boasting and thinking my child is the best is shown in a realistic light amongst peers

* if you are in the schooling system, your grade 6 results count for high school- these are important

* practicing writing exams provides opportunities for learning the How To of writing.

* children really step up to the plate and manage an enormous amount of work - a job well done- so the I can gets built. Even in children who struggle

* a good school will support children who struggle with a scribe, reader, extra time etc.

* a good school has good exam preperation for all children

Of course these tests do not assess the whole child. They are not supposed to. The schooling system in SA provides many other opportunities to learn . 

Assessments are throughout the year and children are involved in all sorts of projects, orals, etc.

One of the reasons I think we, the adults  tend to be so negative about exams is we have bought into this idea that children should have no discomfort. More than that, life should be smooth and happy for them. I think this idea is stripping our children and ill equipping them for real life. Exam pressure and writing is a small way for children to experience real pressure .

Having said that I think we, the adults, play an EXCEPTIONALLY huge role in managing the pressure and the stress. Of course their is stress but if children are prepared and ready, then their is not much reason to be hugely stressed.

I had an interesting conversation with a darling girl . I asked her how her tests were. She said to me... "Aunty Caren you make exams seem so normal calling them tests."

Aaaah- bingo. I realised in that small moment that I, the adult, have an enormous role to play in "test" week. My positive / negative attitude is experienced as such by my children.

My peace rule in our household this test time. :)