Help Us Slay the Standardized-Testing Dragons
It seems to us that kids and teachers are having way too much anxiety over standardized-testing. Kids today, when asked a question, automatically freeze in fear thinking, "What's the right answer?" They are so fearful that the often don't even hear the question. Teachers are terrified from straying from the texts and worksheets. We know that good teaching feels subversive. Is there a better way?
Basically, the standardized tests are made up of reading passages on subjects where students may or may not have prior knowledge. But the answers are based on what is already in the passage (although this is not done carefully). So the solution is to get kids reading stuff they like and the Nonfiction Minute helps do just that, even on topics in your curriculum. Help them discover the joy of reading.
The trick is to get them to read widely (use the Nonfiction Minute) and read deeply--get nonfiction books out of the library on the subjects you have to teach. Some books may be written by iNK authors but there are lots of great writers out there. Let students start a book and feel free to reject it if they don't like even the first sentence. (It's our job, as authors, to make them want to keep reading.) Let them discuss their reading in small groups. There is no law that says everyone has to read the same text on a subject. Good reading promotes thinking. Good writing promotes clear thinking.
Teach literacy through content that resonates with kids. We're here to help. Please let us know who you are. We have many things to share with you that are not on this website.
It seems to us that kids and teachers are having way too much anxiety over standardized-testing. Kids today, when asked a question, automatically freeze in fear thinking, "What's the right answer?" They are so fearful that the often don't even hear the question. Teachers are terrified from straying from the texts and worksheets. We know that good teaching feels subversive. Is there a better way?
Basically, the standardized tests are made up of reading passages on subjects where students may or may not have prior knowledge. But the answers are based on what is already in the passage (although this is not done carefully). So the solution is to get kids reading stuff they like and the Nonfiction Minute helps do just that, even on topics in your curriculum. Help them discover the joy of reading.
The trick is to get them to read widely (use the Nonfiction Minute) and read deeply--get nonfiction books out of the library on the subjects you have to teach. Some books may be written by iNK authors but there are lots of great writers out there. Let students start a book and feel free to reject it if they don't like even the first sentence. (It's our job, as authors, to make them want to keep reading.) Let them discuss their reading in small groups. There is no law that says everyone has to read the same text on a subject. Good reading promotes thinking. Good writing promotes clear thinking.
Teach literacy through content that resonates with kids. We're here to help. Please let us know who you are. We have many things to share with you that are not on this website.
iNK Think Tank
For Rights inquiries contact:
Susan Schulman
Susan Schulman Literary Agency LLC
454 W 44th St., New York, N.Y. 10036 USA
T: 212-713-1633 C: 917-488-0906
Susan@schulmanagency.com
Susan Schulman
Susan Schulman Literary Agency LLC
454 W 44th St., New York, N.Y. 10036 USA
T: 212-713-1633 C: 917-488-0906
Susan@schulmanagency.com
We have lots of accolades from teachers. Here are just two.
From Dana Hill, 3rd Grade Teacher, Desert View Elementary, Hermiston, OR on Feb 14:
“This week in Unit 4, Week 4 we are talking about people flying & how it all began. I did a quick search on your site & found a PERFECT one to share with the class, "Animals in Space"! Just browsing I LOVE how real topics are handled with accuracy, not dumbing it down to the kids & incorporating a variety of resources on the topic. Thank you SO much for making this resource available for 'our' students!
I appreciate your partnering with us to provide wonderful opportunities for students to learn safely with interest while practicing self-empowerment utilizing the web!”
From Dana Hill, 3rd Grade Teacher, Desert View Elementary, Hermiston, OR on Feb 14:
“This week in Unit 4, Week 4 we are talking about people flying & how it all began. I did a quick search on your site & found a PERFECT one to share with the class, "Animals in Space"! Just browsing I LOVE how real topics are handled with accuracy, not dumbing it down to the kids & incorporating a variety of resources on the topic. Thank you SO much for making this resource available for 'our' students!
I appreciate your partnering with us to provide wonderful opportunities for students to learn safely with interest while practicing self-empowerment utilizing the web!”
From Lynn Spady, Loveland Elementary, Omaha, NE.
AMAZING Spring Fling was today! The Zoom meeting was flawless with no interruption of connection. It was easy to join and the sound/video was great! I was able to hear Jan Adkins, Alexandra Siy, Vicki Cobb, Dorothy Patent, Jennifer Swanson, Amy Nathan, Carla McClafferty, and Aline Alexander Newman present on their non-fiction minutes. The students who were able to join were so interested in the the authors and it was neat to hear their questions and watch them interact. My only regret is that I wasn't on the ball enough to have students read the authors' work before meeting them, but it was a success none the less because a connection was made!"
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Any child under the age of 13: please use your teacher's, librarian's, or parent's email address with their permission if you wish contact us.
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Privacy Policy
We collect no personal data, no email addresses except for those who sign up for our database and email notifications, no location information, no sharing or tracking, no cookies.
Any images of children are shown by consent of parents or guardians.
There are links to various other sites, including publications and educational sites.
There are social media buttons (to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest).
Any child under the age of 13: please use your teacher's, librarian's, or parent's email address with their permission if you wish contact us.
If this site is in violation of COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), please notify thoughts@inkthinktank.org and we will remove the offending material immediately.