Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. Work has been busy for me, with pre-TCAP craziness. I never realized how much work goes into administering TCAP tests. But enough about me; I hope you have a great weekend!
Quote of the Week: “I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.” –Winston Churchill
Joke of the Week: Why was the music teacher stuck outside his classroom? Because his keys were on the piano.
Movie of the Week: Last night, my husband and I took our youngest son to see The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Since I was a pre-teen and then a teenager in the ’80s, I knew about the game Donkey Kong and how Mario eventually grabbed his own game with Luigi, Princess Peach, and the other characters. This movie was a good one, because it sent the message of not letting people tell you that you are too small or that you cannot do things. The brothers had been told they were failures and almost believed it. I don’t want to spoil the movie, but it gives the viewer a taste of pulling yourself up and giving it all you’ve got. Plus, the soundtrack is taken right out of the video game music.
Nugget of Wisdom of the week: This week, I want to sorta combine the theme of the Mario movie with the topic of test-taking. Maybe you’re thinking, What in the world does that mean? Standardized testing is enough to scare even the most knowledgeable student. I have never been a good test-taker and hated taking the SATs in high school. What I want to get across to you is that an assessment test such as the TCAP represents only a snapshot of what you have learned at a specific moment in time. The results are not the sum total of your intelligence. Don’t let others make you feel that you are less than you are. Just get good rest before the test days, eat a healthy meal before you head to school, and do the best you can to answer as many questions as possible. You can do it!
Shout-Out of the Week: Today, I want to give a shout-out to everyone who serves in the parent–teacher–student association (PTSA) organization of their children’s school. In preparation for the TCAPs, the PTSA at our school purchased snacks for the entire student body for each day of the testing period. Now, I understand that not every parent group is able to do this, but you assist your school to the best of your ability. You truly bridge the gap between the faculty and the students with your dedication. Thank you!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.