...I hate you, you stink!

Ever read the poem, "Homework, Oh Homework" by Jack Prelutsky? (If you haven't - check it out. It's a favorite!) Anyway, years ago, I learned about innovating stories and poems to help beginning writers and have used this strategy for a long time. Well today, I got to do my own innovation.  I was given the chore opportunity to proctor the FCAT Writes test in a fourth grade classroom.  It was 60 mind-numbing exhilarating minutes of walking around the classroom watching 10 year-old students write.  I also know that I have more standardized testing to look forward to in the next couple of months.  (Can I get a Woo-Hoo?)

When I got back to my classroom this afternoon, this refrain kept bouncing around in my head: "Testing, Oh Testing, I hate you! You stink!"  So, when I got home tonight, I decided to have some fun and share what I really think about standardized testing in elementary schools.

Testing, Oh Testing

Testing, Oh Testing
I hate you! you stink!
You never tell us as much
as they think!
If only politicians
would get a clue
Testing! Oh, testing!
But sadly, very few do.
I'd rather lick lollipops
covered with germs,
or even eat a big bowl
of crunchy fried worms,
shave my head bald,
break out in hives
than tackle the testing
that runs our lives.
Testing! Oh, testing!
You're last on my list.
I simply can't see
why you even exist.
If you just disappeared
it would tickle me pink.
Testing! Oh, testing!
I hate you! You stink!

(BTW - I didn't have to change the last stanza for it to express my feelings. LOL)

Have a Terrific Tuesday!