I think that I am going to have a coronary...
As I am reading VERBATIM the directions for the Session 3 Math Assessment for the WASL this morning, I asked if the class needed me to reread any part of the directions again. One student raised his hand and asked why tools were not permitted on this session of the test. I responded that on the first sessions of the test they are testing if they know procedures and on this session they are looking at both procedure and cognitive learning. So they don't allow the usage of tools."
Other kids piped up saying things like:
"We didn't know that we could use the calculators."
OK... WHAT?!?!?!?!?
"We were waiting for the questions to tell us when to use the tools."
I said, "Why would I ask you to get out tools and put them on your desk for you to NOT use them? The directions specifically said that you are able to use any tools available to you."
They said, "We thought it would be cheating."
Mental head slap.
From the comments, I gathered that the students did not use the tools that we took at least 15 minutes getting out and putting on their desks for them TO USE during the first two sessions of the test.
During the sessions, no one asked about using the tools. No one said ANYTHING even after the testing!
I just don't understand...
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Meeting Boston John
Saturday night Ed and I went out to dinner with Tina and Jasen and Tiff and Boston John. We went to this really great Greek restaurant in Kent called Spiros. Really wonderful food. I was a Greek food virgin so it was fun to see what I liked. Greek food uses a lot of lamb in their food and I am one WHO CANNOT EAT LAMB for any reason, shape or form. To me, it's like eating green peppers or cooked spinach.
JUST ICK!
But the night wasn't really about me being a Greek food virgin. It was about Tiff's friends meeting Boston John. It was John's first trip to the west coast and we were sure excited to meet him. John was treated to the usual bleak Seattle weather on his arrival. He was even treated to a good measure of snow, hail, sun breaks ( he got a good laugh out of what we call "sun breaks"! Apparently they don't have them in Massachusetts!) and the general misery we call weather here.
As we waited for Tina and Jase to arrive, Tiffany and John took turns telling us about their adventurous day.Tiffany and Binta had taken John to see all of the Seattle hot spots: the Troll, the Space Needle, Westlake Center, the Monorail, Pike Place Market... Tiffany shared the pictures they'd taken on her camera.
After Tina and Jase arrived, we ordered our food and got down to the nitty -gritty of getting to know Boston John. I was sure, knowing how most of our conversations go, that we would probably scare the crap out of Boston John and he would never want to return, hang out or even think about Tiffany's friends ever again.
He was such a good sport.
And then... the belly dancing started. We texted Mark to let him know that I was actually dancing and that Ed had talked me into it, but, he didn't believe us. We also told him that there was $72 on the table that they had put down as a bet to get me to do it. He still didn't believe us. Sigh...
As if the belly dancing wasn't uncomfortable enough, the people at the table behind us started stuffing dollar bills into the woman's "top" and skirt. Holy crap! It was like a bachelor party! Then the guy at the table tried to dry hump her all the while trying to stuff more money into her "top" as she was desperately trying to get away from him. I felt kind of bad for her, but, she was the belly dancer...
Sometimes I worry a little about how people will perceive Ed... He's SUPER smart (it's a little scary sometimes) and sometimes our friends tease him about it (he gets charged at Sand Camp for using words that have more than 3 syllables, stuff like that....). But I feel like he found a kindred spirit in John. They talked for a long time about satellites and lasers and all kinds of science stuff that most of the general public knows nothing about. All the way home, he kept saying, I really liked John! And, he and Jasen had a great discussion about motorcycles (another loved past time of Ed's) and he said on the way home that he'd like to go riding with him someday.
Of course the conversation went sideways to adult entertainment and Ed mooning the satellites, but John hung in there and didn't even act like he was disgusted with our presence, asking Tiff when they could get the hell out of there.
I hope that Boston John comes back to visit soon. I would love to have them out for a BBQ and beers.
I hope that Boston John WANTS to come back and visit us!
We are looking forward to it very much!
JUST ICK!
But the night wasn't really about me being a Greek food virgin. It was about Tiff's friends meeting Boston John. It was John's first trip to the west coast and we were sure excited to meet him. John was treated to the usual bleak Seattle weather on his arrival. He was even treated to a good measure of snow, hail, sun breaks ( he got a good laugh out of what we call "sun breaks"! Apparently they don't have them in Massachusetts!) and the general misery we call weather here.
As we waited for Tina and Jase to arrive, Tiffany and John took turns telling us about their adventurous day.Tiffany and Binta had taken John to see all of the Seattle hot spots: the Troll, the Space Needle, Westlake Center, the Monorail, Pike Place Market... Tiffany shared the pictures they'd taken on her camera.
After Tina and Jase arrived, we ordered our food and got down to the nitty -gritty of getting to know Boston John. I was sure, knowing how most of our conversations go, that we would probably scare the crap out of Boston John and he would never want to return, hang out or even think about Tiffany's friends ever again.
He was such a good sport.
And then... the belly dancing started. We texted Mark to let him know that I was actually dancing and that Ed had talked me into it, but, he didn't believe us. We also told him that there was $72 on the table that they had put down as a bet to get me to do it. He still didn't believe us. Sigh...
As if the belly dancing wasn't uncomfortable enough, the people at the table behind us started stuffing dollar bills into the woman's "top" and skirt. Holy crap! It was like a bachelor party! Then the guy at the table tried to dry hump her all the while trying to stuff more money into her "top" as she was desperately trying to get away from him. I felt kind of bad for her, but, she was the belly dancer...
Sometimes I worry a little about how people will perceive Ed... He's SUPER smart (it's a little scary sometimes) and sometimes our friends tease him about it (he gets charged at Sand Camp for using words that have more than 3 syllables, stuff like that....). But I feel like he found a kindred spirit in John. They talked for a long time about satellites and lasers and all kinds of science stuff that most of the general public knows nothing about. All the way home, he kept saying, I really liked John! And, he and Jasen had a great discussion about motorcycles (another loved past time of Ed's) and he said on the way home that he'd like to go riding with him someday.
Of course the conversation went sideways to adult entertainment and Ed mooning the satellites, but John hung in there and didn't even act like he was disgusted with our presence, asking Tiff when they could get the hell out of there.
I hope that Boston John comes back to visit soon. I would love to have them out for a BBQ and beers.
I hope that Boston John WANTS to come back and visit us!
We are looking forward to it very much!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Fiona's Letter
Dear Ona,
I can't believe that you are already three years old. You are such a peanut right now. You are so tiny that when Momma and I took you and Yay-Yay to the movie, when you sat in the seat by yourself, the seat folded up on you. You weren't heavy enough to keep it down!
I love the way you yell when I come to visit, "Auntie Amy's here!" and when you answer the phone you always ask, "Who is this?" One time I told you I was the Easter bunny and I think you believed me!
Right now you are SO naughty. You fight your momma on everything. You tattle on Sal (about things that never happened) and when Momma tells you to stop tattling, you go back to Sal and say, "Momma said..." and you proceed to tell Sal that he has to do something that he doesn't. You fight with Yay-yay all the time and want to have your way. Sometimes she lets you, but, more often than not, you do what she wants to do. It took her a long time to stop calling you John, even after you kept telling her, "My name is FIONA!" and you'd spell it. But, she wanted to be Audry and if she was Audry, you had to be John. Finally, Momma stepped in and told her that she couldn't call you John anymore. Some days you fight with Momma about what you are going to wear. You are so stubborn! Momma says that she needs to watch out because you will be the child, at 16, who skips school, hangs out at the North Bend Tavern and drinks beer. Which reminds me... Beer is one of your favorite things... You always say, "I like beer" and one time at Blue Lake, Munka and I caught you drinking old beer out of the cans that were in the recycling bag in the kitchen. I think your tummy hurt for a few days after that one! But, even when you've been naughty, you ALWAYS tattle on yourself. "Auntie, what happened to big Dorothy's arm?" (After you'd torn it off.) Or, "Munka, I have a pen!" and then Munka immediately takes away the pen from you.
You are a lover of tights. Gramma Mickey bought you a pair of "bear-butt" tights and you were bound and determined to show everyone your "bear-butt". Daddy kind of had a fit about that, but, I think he finally convinced you that it wasn't proper to be showing your butt to people. Mama just laughed and encouraged you to do it!
This year, you also started swimming lessons. You look so cute in your swimming suit. You and Yay-yay were in the same class, but she got moved up and you weren't in the same class any more. Bop said it was funny that when you two weren't together you were very timid and kind of hung back and let the rest of the kids try everything first. But, when you were in class together, you were always the first two to jump in and want to swim.
Ballet has been another thing that you have been involved with this year. I haven't gotten to actually see you do any ballet like at a recital, but, I have seen several "leg ups" and "butt ups" and forward rolls. You seem to like it very much and I think that it's a great thing to learn. Especially if you are trying to be graceful!
My keys are another fascination for you... You love to push the button and play with the tiny tape measure that I have on my key chain. You try to measure things and tell me they are weird measurements! You always say, "Auntie, I have your keys!" I always tell you that it's fine, but, not to lose them because your brother had a habit of doing that!
You are going to do big things Fiona Ryan... I can't wait to see what the future holds for you!
Love,
Auntie
I can't believe that you are already three years old. You are such a peanut right now. You are so tiny that when Momma and I took you and Yay-Yay to the movie, when you sat in the seat by yourself, the seat folded up on you. You weren't heavy enough to keep it down!
I love the way you yell when I come to visit, "Auntie Amy's here!" and when you answer the phone you always ask, "Who is this?" One time I told you I was the Easter bunny and I think you believed me!
Right now you are SO naughty. You fight your momma on everything. You tattle on Sal (about things that never happened) and when Momma tells you to stop tattling, you go back to Sal and say, "Momma said..." and you proceed to tell Sal that he has to do something that he doesn't. You fight with Yay-yay all the time and want to have your way. Sometimes she lets you, but, more often than not, you do what she wants to do. It took her a long time to stop calling you John, even after you kept telling her, "My name is FIONA!" and you'd spell it. But, she wanted to be Audry and if she was Audry, you had to be John. Finally, Momma stepped in and told her that she couldn't call you John anymore. Some days you fight with Momma about what you are going to wear. You are so stubborn! Momma says that she needs to watch out because you will be the child, at 16, who skips school, hangs out at the North Bend Tavern and drinks beer. Which reminds me... Beer is one of your favorite things... You always say, "I like beer" and one time at Blue Lake, Munka and I caught you drinking old beer out of the cans that were in the recycling bag in the kitchen. I think your tummy hurt for a few days after that one! But, even when you've been naughty, you ALWAYS tattle on yourself. "Auntie, what happened to big Dorothy's arm?" (After you'd torn it off.) Or, "Munka, I have a pen!" and then Munka immediately takes away the pen from you.
You are a lover of tights. Gramma Mickey bought you a pair of "bear-butt" tights and you were bound and determined to show everyone your "bear-butt". Daddy kind of had a fit about that, but, I think he finally convinced you that it wasn't proper to be showing your butt to people. Mama just laughed and encouraged you to do it!
This year, you also started swimming lessons. You look so cute in your swimming suit. You and Yay-yay were in the same class, but she got moved up and you weren't in the same class any more. Bop said it was funny that when you two weren't together you were very timid and kind of hung back and let the rest of the kids try everything first. But, when you were in class together, you were always the first two to jump in and want to swim.
Ballet has been another thing that you have been involved with this year. I haven't gotten to actually see you do any ballet like at a recital, but, I have seen several "leg ups" and "butt ups" and forward rolls. You seem to like it very much and I think that it's a great thing to learn. Especially if you are trying to be graceful!
My keys are another fascination for you... You love to push the button and play with the tiny tape measure that I have on my key chain. You try to measure things and tell me they are weird measurements! You always say, "Auntie, I have your keys!" I always tell you that it's fine, but, not to lose them because your brother had a habit of doing that!
You are going to do big things Fiona Ryan... I can't wait to see what the future holds for you!
Love,
Auntie
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
I'm Going to Heaven...
Since my mom and sister decided to dessert me this week and go to Blue Lake, I "offered" to take my grandpa to his doctor's appointment yesterday. I was being the good daughter and really did want to help my mom and grandpa out. However, there's always one problem. Grandma gets to go as well. I LOVE my grandparents. I do. But, my grandpa has GOT to be a saint already from living with her for sixty plus years. I don't know how he does it. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.
My spring break started with a phone call on Saturday from my grandpa wanting to give me the "directions" to the office in Northgate that we were supposed to go to. I told grandpa I only needed to have the address to input into Zev (the GPS). He was sure that I needed ALL of the directions and tried really hard to give them to me, but, I had to INSIST that I ONLY needed the address. Ed and I go off to our other plans for the weekend (which I'll post about later).
Monday, I get a phone call from Grandma saying that the V.A. office had given Papa misinformation and needed to send him to a different office. Near the airport. At 3:30. PM. Crap. OK. So, I accept this info and know that Zev will get us there fine. I am NOT going to stab the nearest sharp thing into my eye out of frustration.
Grandma calls Tuesday morning to tell me that the office just called and they needed to cancel Papa's appointment because the doctor had a family emergency and needed to leave. Hooray! I am off the hook!
Not so fast, another phone call about 45 minutes later resulted in the appointment back on. With another doctor. At 3:30. Near the airport. Did I say at 3:30?
So in order to "center" myself for this I decide to go and get the manicure/pedicure that I've been meaning to get for a long time. After a lovely hour, I go and get some lunch and head to my grandparent's house. I get there early (15 minutes) and am sitting in the car trying to get those blasted flip-flops off and my shoes on so I don't have to walk through the wet grass to their house.
They must have been waiting and watching. Because no sooner had I arrived, they came out of the house all ready to go.
Me: We don't have to go yet... It's not going to take us an hour and 45 minutes to get there.
Them: That's OK... We just don't know what traffic will be like.
Me: It's not going to be an hour and 45 minutes bad.
Them: Well we thought that we might have trouble finding it. (translation: we don't trust Zev)
Me: The GPS will get us there with no problem! No worries. (Translation: I don't want to have to sit and make conversation with Grandma for 45 minutes because Papa won't be able to hear anything.)
I put the address in Zev and we were off. My grandma talked non-stop for entire time it took to drive there. I learned way too much information about my grandparents that no granddaughter should EVER know. *shivers*
The office was not hard to find, as I'd predicted, and they were amazed that we went right to it. However, we were there 45 minutes early.
Ugh.
Again, I have to make small talk with my grandma while we wait for Papa to be called. I started reading a magazine, only half listening to her as she kept asking me questions about the people in the magazine.
Her: I wonder what ever really happened to Kanye West's mom.
Me: That's not Kanye West.
Her: Yes it is.
Me: Grandma, that's 50 Cent.
Her: I don't know who 50 Cents is.
Me: Grandma, it's 50 CENT. Not Cents.
Her: Oh. Did something happen to his mom?
I did some large mental eye rolling. The ladies behind the counter were cracking up.
Finally Papa was called back to see the doctor and now I'm left sitting in the waiting room with Grandma.
Her: It's so nice that Sal has a friend. Kyle is such a nice boy.
Me: Do you mean Tate? The kid who lives across the street from Mom?
Her: No, that's Kyle. He was at your mom's for Easter dinner.
Me: Grandma, his name is Tate and he wasn't at Easter dinner. There was no one but family at Easter dinner.
Her: No, he came late.
Me: Grandma, that was Ed.
Her: No, I'm sure that he was there.
Me: Grandma, I will bet you $300 that TATE was not at Easter dinner at Mom's house. Why would Tate be at Easter dinner at SOMEONE ELSE'S HOUSE when he has his own family?
Her: I'm sure...
Lady at the desk: Are you guys alright over there? (translation: Is there something wrong with that old lady?)
Grandma dropped it, which really surprised me because once she latches on to something she's like a pit bull and doesn't let go of it. She HAS to be right. The other thing that killed me is that she told me that she was glad that Papa was seeing a woman doctor because they are more caring and would make sure that she would write things down that he'd to remember. Because HE doesn't remember so well anymore...
WHAT??!?!?!?!?
I'm all, Lady, were you not just part of the conversation that we just had about a fictional friend of Sal's whose name you couldn't remember and INSISTED that he was at EASTER dinner with a family who was not his own????
Deep breaths.
I have to say that I was happy that I took my grandpa to the doctor. He really appreciated it. He even asked how he could ever repay me. It made me feel bad that I was impatient with my grandma. She's old. She just wants to be part of my life.
But, I better be going to heaven for this...
My spring break started with a phone call on Saturday from my grandpa wanting to give me the "directions" to the office in Northgate that we were supposed to go to. I told grandpa I only needed to have the address to input into Zev (the GPS). He was sure that I needed ALL of the directions and tried really hard to give them to me, but, I had to INSIST that I ONLY needed the address. Ed and I go off to our other plans for the weekend (which I'll post about later).
Monday, I get a phone call from Grandma saying that the V.A. office had given Papa misinformation and needed to send him to a different office. Near the airport. At 3:30. PM. Crap. OK. So, I accept this info and know that Zev will get us there fine. I am NOT going to stab the nearest sharp thing into my eye out of frustration.
Grandma calls Tuesday morning to tell me that the office just called and they needed to cancel Papa's appointment because the doctor had a family emergency and needed to leave. Hooray! I am off the hook!
Not so fast, another phone call about 45 minutes later resulted in the appointment back on. With another doctor. At 3:30. Near the airport. Did I say at 3:30?
So in order to "center" myself for this I decide to go and get the manicure/pedicure that I've been meaning to get for a long time. After a lovely hour, I go and get some lunch and head to my grandparent's house. I get there early (15 minutes) and am sitting in the car trying to get those blasted flip-flops off and my shoes on so I don't have to walk through the wet grass to their house.
They must have been waiting and watching. Because no sooner had I arrived, they came out of the house all ready to go.
Me: We don't have to go yet... It's not going to take us an hour and 45 minutes to get there.
Them: That's OK... We just don't know what traffic will be like.
Me: It's not going to be an hour and 45 minutes bad.
Them: Well we thought that we might have trouble finding it. (translation: we don't trust Zev)
Me: The GPS will get us there with no problem! No worries. (Translation: I don't want to have to sit and make conversation with Grandma for 45 minutes because Papa won't be able to hear anything.)
I put the address in Zev and we were off. My grandma talked non-stop for entire time it took to drive there. I learned way too much information about my grandparents that no granddaughter should EVER know. *shivers*
The office was not hard to find, as I'd predicted, and they were amazed that we went right to it. However, we were there 45 minutes early.
Ugh.
Again, I have to make small talk with my grandma while we wait for Papa to be called. I started reading a magazine, only half listening to her as she kept asking me questions about the people in the magazine.
Her: I wonder what ever really happened to Kanye West's mom.
Me: That's not Kanye West.
Her: Yes it is.
Me: Grandma, that's 50 Cent.
Her: I don't know who 50 Cents is.
Me: Grandma, it's 50 CENT. Not Cents.
Her: Oh. Did something happen to his mom?
I did some large mental eye rolling. The ladies behind the counter were cracking up.
Finally Papa was called back to see the doctor and now I'm left sitting in the waiting room with Grandma.
Her: It's so nice that Sal has a friend. Kyle is such a nice boy.
Me: Do you mean Tate? The kid who lives across the street from Mom?
Her: No, that's Kyle. He was at your mom's for Easter dinner.
Me: Grandma, his name is Tate and he wasn't at Easter dinner. There was no one but family at Easter dinner.
Her: No, he came late.
Me: Grandma, that was Ed.
Her: No, I'm sure that he was there.
Me: Grandma, I will bet you $300 that TATE was not at Easter dinner at Mom's house. Why would Tate be at Easter dinner at SOMEONE ELSE'S HOUSE when he has his own family?
Her: I'm sure...
Lady at the desk: Are you guys alright over there? (translation: Is there something wrong with that old lady?)
Grandma dropped it, which really surprised me because once she latches on to something she's like a pit bull and doesn't let go of it. She HAS to be right. The other thing that killed me is that she told me that she was glad that Papa was seeing a woman doctor because they are more caring and would make sure that she would write things down that he'd to remember. Because HE doesn't remember so well anymore...
WHAT??!?!?!?!?
I'm all, Lady, were you not just part of the conversation that we just had about a fictional friend of Sal's whose name you couldn't remember and INSISTED that he was at EASTER dinner with a family who was not his own????
Deep breaths.
I have to say that I was happy that I took my grandpa to the doctor. He really appreciated it. He even asked how he could ever repay me. It made me feel bad that I was impatient with my grandma. She's old. She just wants to be part of my life.
But, I better be going to heaven for this...
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