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Tests

As my family now approaches the end of our second week of school, my daughter has come to the understanding that she hates school.  She tells me that it's too hard and there's not enough time for play.  If you talk to her for a bit longer, you may come to the same conclusion that I have...it's not school that she hates.  It is the understanding that she now has to take tests at school.   
TESTS.EVERY.WEEK.

I chuckled a bit when she told me just how hard the tests were.  After all, she's only in first grade.  When I think back to some of the tests I took during college, I cringe!  The only tests that are currently on her syllabus are spelling/sight word and addition/subtraction (to 10) tests!  But, I realize that tests must start somewhere.  At six years old, this is probably a good place to start.

As I thought about the test situation a little bit more, I began to contemplate just how many tests my daughter - or all of us - will face in our lifetimes.  Tests won't just occur in school, and they won't just be about subjects that can be taught to us through books.  We'll face tests of life that show who we are, the courage we have, our stamina, strength, integrity, and so much more.  Tests are important in helping us learn about who we each are as people.

So, as my daughter faces this first year of school testing, my goal will be to encourage her and show her that these tests are only a few minutes of her school day each Friday.  I'll help her study the words and numbers.  I'll help her find meaning in the role of tests.  And, hopefully, she'll someday realize that these tests do more than help her with reading, writing, and arithmetic.  These tests build her character.  They allow her to learn and grow as a person.  They give her small obstacles to surpass and prepare her - even in a small way - for life's greater tests.


Good luck to all of you other parents out there who are helping prepare your children for both school and life's tests.  And, be happy that they don't yet teach texting spelling in schools!
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