Last week was standardized test week. Boooooo! Avery took the Iowa Basics test for the third year, and I gave Rhys the TAKS test here at home. Like most people, I hate standardized tests. I don't think they measure any real knowledge worth having. But, unfortunately, it's a necessary evil for college entry, so I subject my children to them annually in order to get some practice under their belts. This year I was reminded again that test-taking is very much a skill to be learned. Rhys was pretty baffled at the wording of some of the questions -- and for good reason. After reading the TAKS test closely, I can see that it would take a good chunk of the year to teach a whole classroom full of kids how to answer such strangely worded questions!
There has also been some actual learning going on around here. The kids have discovered the videos and practice on Khan Academy. Actually I discovered it first, by watching Salman Khan's TED Talks video. I forwarded it along to Avery, who was already itching to ditch her pre-algebra text book. The kids have been using Khan for about two weeks now, and they love it!
We're also wrapping up our study of the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States. Avery and Rhys are working with the other kids in our history co-op group to put on a play about the Revolution. I haven't seen any of the preparation, and I can't wait to see what they come up with! After being entrenched in this time period for several months, the kids are now desperate to go to Washington DC and Virginia, and I'm desperate to go to Boston! Stay tuned to see who gets their way on this summer's road trip....
And, speaking of plays, we just had our first read through of Hamlet, this summer's Shakespeare production! (Last summer, the kids put on As You Like It.) Avery is especially excited because, in addition to a small part, she'll be responsible for all the music in the play. She is chomping at the bit to get started!
In field trip news, here's a picture of the boys enjoying the Austin Nature and Science Center:
And I can share some pictures from a very interesting field trip to see a presentation from the Williamson County Beekeepers Association.
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