Standardized Testing

Have you ever been curious as to what standardized testing sounds like in a 1st grade classroom?
Something like this:

"Class, turn to page 45 in your test booklets."
"Turn to page 45.... Honey, it's page 45, not 35."
"You need to be on page 45."
"Ok, we're ready to sta-" "Yes, here's a pencil."
"Ok, let's start with Sample A."
"Sample A, not number 1."
"No, don't fill in a bubble yet! I haven't asked the question!"

We have to admit this is probably not the most entertaining monologue to listen to. And while standardized testing at UCA is kept to a minimum and is actually very helpful to administration and teachers when planning curriculum and instruction, it's kind of... boring sometimes!
Click on the video below to see what we did to get our bodies moving, keep blood flowing to our brains, and beat the testing blues!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_5KQbB4wcg
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*disclaimer - no footage of actual testing is included in this video. I was responsibly proctoring the test, not filming it ;)
**Someday I will figure out how to embed video into the blog! Someday!

Time Scoot

We played a new math game today - Time Scoot!

Each of the students had watches and a recording sheet. They got to "scoot" around and record the times on all of the watches. 

And, since the weather was so nice, we decided to scoot around outside!

Here's a few pictures. Check out the Shutterfly site for more!

Amy's Farm

We went on a field trip to Amy's Farm! First, we met Farmer Melissa, and we learned about plants, animals, and how farms work.

Next, we learned about herbs like lavender, sage, and rosemary. After the kids had an opportunity to pick some herbs, we also got to pick some lettuce and eat it!

From there, we headed off to meet a cow with a really long tongue, and then we got to feed and pet some farm animals!

Before we left, we got to hang out with some horses and then each student had the opportunity to milk a cow!