Testing questions and a freebie

I haven't been away. . . . I've been reading your posts.

I haven't been any busier than any of you. . . . and this week will be worse!

I think the time change affected me more than I wanted to realize. .. . or maybe I'm just feeling lazy!

And it only took one. . . .

One message from a new follower to get me back on track!

So Thanks Lesa Moore for lifting my energy and reminding me that blogging is something I love doing.

My kids need more practice with regrouping and subtraction. That's what they need. . . practice. . . some have it. . . some don't. Today's freebie is just that. . . practice but cutsy-fied! They may want to have some scrap paper available to help them find the answers, while some kids can do this right in their heads.  This is no longer available. . . I took it off and remade it with Subtraction Stars.

I have checked and double checked to make sure the answers are all correct, but if you should see something, don't hesitate to let me know.

We had Friday off to look at data. I hear you. . . "that's sounds real interesting!" NOT!!  But truly, it wasn't so bad. We looked at the kids we had last year to see how they did on the MEAP (this is a Michigan assessment that is given in the first 2 weeks of 3rd grade after they have had the entire summer off  and most kids aren't even used to getting out of bed early yet!)  {I know. . . DUMB!}

I found this interesting because some of the kids did amazingly well as I would have expected. And then there were those who I expected to do well who didn't! That was a SHOCKER!

Why is that? Why do kids who you know can do it, . . . DON'T? What changes from year to year that causes them to not do their best? Is them? Is it the teacher, of course not! Is it that long summer they just finished? I wish I had an answer, but I don't.

All during their 2nd grade year we are pumping them up to take this BIG test. (we probably scare them more than anything!) We encourage them to read during the summer, practice flash cards, etc. . . but still their scores go down the tubes. If any of you have any ideas of what your school does to encourage good test taking, I'd LOVE to hear it!

I did think about sending a post card with a congrats on it to those students of mine who did a great job and passed. I wondered if that might help them feel good about it.  (oh and another problem. . . you remember WHEN they took the test. . . ? In September.  And when are we seeing the results? . . . March! That gives me a lot of time to work on this group that I have right now!)

This post is getting way too long . . . so enjoy your St. Patty's day from your friend, St. Patty! I hope you can use this subtraction activity! Let me know if you grab it!

St. Patty!