This afternoon I went over to my classroom to do some work and get ready for more final assessments before we get out for Easter break. I will be assessing the children on reading concepts tomorrow and finishing up with math assessments. On Friday, I called one child over and asked him if he knew what one shape was (a hexagon). He looked at me and smiled before he said "I give up, what?" I told him that he needed to try and then he responded " Well, it looks like a stop sign with not so many sides!" Not bad, I thought.

In the public school system I worked for, we also did assessments in Kindergarten. All Kindergarten students had to go through a screening process before they officially started school. It involved a series of tests administered by a team of teachers, including the classroom teacher.

My role as the kindergarten teacher was to administer a reading readiness test. My job was to read a book to the child and then ask specific questions about the book.

 I remember one year when I had finished reading to one little boy,  I  began asking the questions. "Can you show me the front of the book?" I asked. The little boy looked at me with a puzzled expression, hesitated, and then pointed to the front. "That was great" I said. "Now can you show me the back of the book?" This time the child looked really puzzled. Finally, after a long pause and look of frustration, he pointed to the back of the book. "Terrific!" I said. "Now, can you show me where I start reading?" The child threw up his hands in frustration and said in a loud voice "HELLO! WHY AM I HERE?" I burst out laughing, getting frowns from my other colleagues positioned at other spots in the room, who were administering other tests.

I have no doubt that child went home and told his Mom that he hoped he didn't get the teacher  who didn't know any of the answers to the questions she was asking him questions at school that day!

36 comments

  1. Ms. A // March 28, 2010 at 7:59 PM  

    It's wonderful when an intelligent child thinks out loud.

  2. Anonymous // March 28, 2010 at 8:27 PM  

    LOL!! I love it! I'll bet you have the greatest stories..kids that age are the best form of entertainment!

  3. Anonymous // March 28, 2010 at 8:54 PM  

    What a funny exchange. I really think the assessments are crazy now, lots of tests the kiddos are expected to pass.

  4. Anne // March 28, 2010 at 9:24 PM  

    Assessing the children can be very trying, but also very entertaining! Never know how the children will answer. Makes a teachers job full of surprises and keeps us on our toes.

  5. Andrea // March 28, 2010 at 9:58 PM  

    Praying for you as you assess each child! and as you deal with each parent, teacher, and professional in your path.

    Blessings, andrea

    PS: I have an urgent prayer request at arise 2 write.

  6. Kristin // March 28, 2010 at 9:59 PM  

    Oh the assessing! The ones at the beginning of the year are by far the best! They are so little, and some of them just do not know anything- bless their little hearts!

  7. Debbie // March 28, 2010 at 10:03 PM  

    Love that!! kids are so smart!!!

  8. Heather // March 28, 2010 at 10:37 PM  

    LOL!! Out of the mouths of babes huh?! I wonder if my son who's in kindergarten is getting assessed too. He hasn't mentioned having to give the teacher any answers though. ;)

  9. Crystal // March 28, 2010 at 11:07 PM  

    I get all kinds of crazy answers from just the two of mine that talk - I cannot imagine the things you have heard - soooo funny.

    You are one of my favorite bloggers.

  10. Bernie // March 29, 2010 at 2:41 AM  

    Children are so priceless...I am glad you are keeping a record of all their cute sayings...this one was adorable.....:-) Hugs

  11. Mandee // March 29, 2010 at 9:13 AM  

    Ha ha!
    I am sure you always have funny stories to tell with Kindergartners.

  12. Jessica // March 29, 2010 at 9:26 AM  

    That's hilarious :) From the mouths of babes eh?

  13. Theresa Milstein // March 29, 2010 at 10:41 AM  

    I'm laughing. I remember my son's kindergarten teacher telling me that those questions were asked, while I wondered, "Does any kid actually not know the front and the back of the book?" You show that even the kindergartners get annoyed with all of these tedious tests!

  14. ellen // March 29, 2010 at 12:35 PM  

    This was a smart kid! I bet most kids knew the answers, but this one thought a little bit further! It is always nice to read your stories. Your students are truly blessed with a great teacher you are.

  15. Judy // March 29, 2010 at 12:36 PM  

    This is super late, but I'm following you back from Friday Follow.
    My sister is in middle school and I can't believe all the assessments and standardized tests they have now! I guess it's good to learn about it before my kids are old enough to be in school

  16. Unknown // March 29, 2010 at 2:25 PM  

    Oh my gosh - out of the mouths of babes :)

  17. Sarah Coulsey // March 29, 2010 at 4:48 PM  

    Happy Monday!! I am following you back from Friday Follow!!

    Have a great week!!

    Sarah

    sarahsblogoffun.blogspot.com

  18. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 4:53 PM  

    So true Ms. Anthropy! lol

  19. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 4:54 PM  

    J,

    They are hilarious!

  20. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 4:56 PM  

    Kids do get tested a lot these days Midday. The one I gave the past few days are assessments to see what they have learned in terms of what I taught them....more along the line of a criterion referenced test.

  21. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 4:57 PM  

    So true Choices. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the child in the initial assessment.

  22. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 4:58 PM  

    I have her and her family on my prayer list Andrea!

    Blessings

  23. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 4:59 PM  

    I agree Kristin. It is exciting at this time of year to see the difference though.

  24. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 4:59 PM  

    They are smart Debbie...no doubt!

  25. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:00 PM  

    Heather,

    Ask her in your conference.

  26. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:01 PM  

    Why thank you Crystal. You just made my day sweet lady!

  27. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:02 PM  

    Bernie,

    The record is in my head. If I had only written them down as they happened......! Kids are so funny and cute....I have forgotten so many!

  28. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:03 PM  

    Momma Such,

    I love teaching this age. They are so cute and innocent.

  29. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:04 PM  

    Domesticated bliss...they keep us in stitches at school.

  30. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:06 PM  

    We know Theresa...but you know the public schools! We had to screen every child regardless of whether he or she was reading on a second grade level. The child in the story was actually very bright and already reading fluently. I know he was frustrated!

  31. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:07 PM  

    Thanks Ellen! You are such a sweetheart!

  32. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:08 PM  

    It certainly won't hurt Judy! Thanks for your comment.

  33. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:08 PM  

    You said it Rene!

  34. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 5:09 PM  

    Thanks Sarah. I hope you do the same!

  35. XmasDolly // March 29, 2010 at 6:14 PM  

    I wanted to thank you for stopping at my blog, and I am going to contact the company once I give it a good ol' college try to try and find the paperwork. I usually save stuff like that, so I'm going to do that first. The before and after pics are video, so I'm going to have to figure out how to do that. Ooo I know I call my son-in-law the computer geek (he gets so mad when I call him that ~hehehe~ he only makes mucho bucks a year, SHEESH!). Have a great day.

  36. VKT // March 29, 2010 at 7:28 PM  

    Good for you Dolly! If I made mucho bucks, I wouldn't mind if somebody called me a computer geek...lol