"In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings".
Ann Landers

To my fellow classmates thank you for all your inspiring discussions and blogs. I wish you all success in your future classes. 

                     Wanda Goethe

Why Should We Test?

TESTING is the seven letter word that gives most people butterflies in their stomach. The traditional standardized testing is outdated. What can we really learn from these test? The test does not give enough insight on how a child thinks or what kind of social emotional skills they have.
We gave a writing test to our kindergarten students last week. As I walked around the room I could see panic on some of the students face. A few students were able to write a few site words but without enough clarity. What do you think we did with this test? Well, the lesson plans were revised to add more sentence structure and an opportunity for the child during centers to play with games that will strengthen those skills that were lacking. Is this the norm for all kindergarten classes? I am not sure but in my class we are dedicated to providing our students with the utmost learning environment we can offer. The students learn the necessary academic skills with lots of fun games and activities interchanged together. It is fun, academic, games and crafts are rolled into one. The reward is seeing that big smile on the students face when their little light bulb shines bright.

In Australia they recently established the Australian Curriculum Assessment and reporting Authority (ACARA). Most Australian jurisdictions take student based examination  at the end of year twelve. Australia participates in International testing with a sample of 15 year old students every three years. A sample of students ages 4 and 6 take the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) every four years. To ensure that student achievement is measured adequately they focus on assessment for learning, assessment as learning, assessment of learning. Australia is focusing on improving their class room education everyday as every other school system is and should be.

Queensland Studies Authority, 2009, P–12 Assessment Policy, QSA, Brisbane.

The Scars Racism Can Leave If There Is No Healing Process

As a child, I remember my sister and I going to the corner store to buy pop rock candy with my mom and being followed by the person working in the store. I asked my momma why the man was following us and if he was going to rob her. The weird thing was he was only following the black customers. My mother tried to explain to me that there are people that treated black people different because the color of their skin. I guess being a child I did not realize how wrong this action was because I would still go with my friends to buy candy and gum from the store until we moved.

The most disturbing act of racism I remember as a child was when a parent told their daughter she could not play with me because I was black. I did not understand how someone could be so mean to me. We were only playing and riding our bikes together. What was so wrong with that?  I ran home crying to my mom and told her what happened. She was not happy that the parent had hurt my feelings but she managed to comfort me through the situation until my dad came home. They told me it was the girls lost and she did not deserve a friend like me. I never spoke to the girl again because I found other children to ride my bike with and the little girl ended up moving.

 I was able to cope with the situation because my parents were there to support me. I learned that it was nothing I did but sometimes adults and children could act ignorant and in ungodly ways. The children were acting on what was taught to them. I have always tried to treat everyone with respect and remember how it felt to be treated in such an ungodly way.

In the south, racism is still evident in the day to day activities. One day my oldest daughter told me that a boy on the bus asked her if she lived in the white building on the side of our house. She started laughing and said "no" that is our shed I live in the brick house. He continued to say little racial slurs until my husband and I contacted the school and transportation department. They investigated the situation and we did not have anymore problems. My heart goes out to the children and anyone that have been the victims of racism. I do not allow any of my students to disrespect each other because a child's self esteem and identity formation can be seriously altered if they do not have a strong support system like I did.

In the last month there have been two students in our county that have taken their own lives for whatever reason. The community (blacks and whites) have rallied together to support the families, friends and fellow students. Why does it take death to bring people together momentarily? I will leave this question with you.

I have always wanted to visit my family in New York and shop in Soho. While I was looking up some tourist information on the web I came across the ABC 20/20 documentary shot in Soho, New York.It was done to see how customers reacted to someone being racially harassed. Although, the shopper, clerk and security officer were actors the response to the mistreatment of the shopper was amazing. There were only about 20 people out of 100 that came to the shoppers defense. Feel free to see the video yourself @ Shopping While Black Social Experiment That Shows Racism Still Exists In America.

In South Africa, they celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in March every year. The celebration is the rememberance of 69 people in Sharpeville, South Africa demonstrating peacefully against racial apartheid were opened fire on and killed by police. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is remembered by world elected officials and organizations working together to stop racism.

Bilaal Rajan,(March 2009).Fighting Racism Around The World, Social Activist and UNICEF Ambassador