Learning to Take Tests

Recently, a number of students were asked what they were learning about in school? Most students responded by saying that they were learning how to take tests, and not much else. This has been an ongoing trend across the US. Assessments have pretty much controlled and influenced what school districts concentrate on. Most of their emphasis is to have higher scores on every assessment every year. Teachers are conditioned to teach to the test and students are conditioned to learn how to take each test, and that's it. Basic skills and knowledge for a solid foundation seem to no longer exist or matter leaving many students to just slip through the cracks, no thanks to No Child Left Behind. Also, physical education has been put to the side which is a crucial part to a childs development. But now without it, students are more lethargic than ever and are exposed to shallow questioning and mechanical drilling. This is leading the educational system on a downward spiral to disaster.

Vocabulary:
1) Shallow- (adj) Having little depth
2) Mechanical- (adj) of or relating to machinery or tools
3) Exposed- (adj) Opened to view
4) Lethargic- (adj) Sluggish, tired
5) Emphasis-(N) Consideration of something or insistence on something

1) Her weaknesses were ______________.
2) Be careful at the pool. It is very _____________.
3) Don't put too much __________ on grammar.
4) She seemed very _____________ today.
5) The movements of the pitcher were very ______________.

Grammar Point:
Adjectives are often called "describing words" because they provide information about the qualities of something described in a noun, a noun phrase, or clause.

Phone cheating?

It was recently discovered that more than a third of teenagers with cell phones use them to cheat. A Common Sense Media Poll had collected information regarding this new trend. Some teachers say that they can spend most of their class time being a "cell phone cop." The students are losing out on learning valuable information they will need to pass upcoming tests in all classes, nevermind the state tests. This becomes very frustrating for teachers. Especially when they feel that the administration of their school is not doing enough to help Cell phones are a great piece of technology that I feel should be embraced. At the same time though their does need to be a balance as to how we use them and how much time we spend on them. I would not be surprised if sometime in the near future students will have to hand in their cell phones every morning and will get them beack until the end of the school day. This seems like the only way this issued can be controlled. I don't agree with it but it just might have to happen.

Vocabulary:
1) Administration- (N) Performance of executive suties
2) Recently (Adv.) During a recent period of time
3) Embraced (V) To take or include
4) Controlled (Adj.) Regulated, restrained
5) Regarding (Prep.) With respect to

1. He wrote a letter __________ the inappropriate use of cell phones in schools.
2. We ______________went on a trip to London to visit family.
3. These new strategies should be ____________ by all teachers.
4. The machines were __________ by professionals who are trained.
5. The _______________ of the school has not been very helpful.

Grammar Point:
Comparatives- Are adjectives and adverbs that end in -er
Superlatives- Are adjectives and adverbs that end in -est.

Ten Hut!?

The wearing of school uniforms has often been a hot topic. Button down white shirt, tie, skirts for girls, dockers for boys. But military uniforms? six school districts from Atlanta to Las Vegas have inquired about opening public military academies. The students would wear the traditional army uniform as well as take military classes and join the JROTC. If districts get the go ahead the would receive millions of dollars from the military. They would also be able to prevent dropouts by utilizing new strategies. The only thing holding these districts back seems to be the parents. Many feel it would be too much like an actual battlefield.

Vocabulary:
Military- (a) Relating to soldiers, arms, or armed forces
Inquired- (v) To ask about, investigate
Utilizing- (v) To make use of
Strategies- (n) A thought out plan or method
Traditional- (n) Customs passed down through generations

1. They were so strict that I felt like I was in the ___________.
2. This is a _______________ feast that we have every year.
3. I was happy to see them ___________ all of the resources available.
4. We learned many new important ___________ for teaching ESL.
5. I ____________ about the new email system they have just set up.

Grammar Point:
Main Verbs:
- Do not need to be accompanied by other verbs
- Convey the key meaning in any group of verbs