Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Slice 5 and 6: Two-A-Days


Two-A-Days, sometimes referred to as Hell Week or Double Sessions, is a term in American football to describe when a team holds practice twice a day.

Two-A-Days, sometimes referred to as Hell Week (middle school 9 weeks testing and grades and report cards) or Double Writing sessions, is a term in AM's Slice of Life Writing Challenge to describe when she writes a two day slice blog because she didn't do it the day before.

So....I think I'll try poetry today. A kind of listy poem, with a bit of repetition.

It's called Not. Doesn't. Isn't. Are.


Not. Doesn't. Isn't. Are.
by Ann Marie Corgill

review sheets, made common
so we can all test the same thing
because in this crazy world
we act as if kids are the same
They're not.

tests, made multiple choice
so they're easy to score
because in this crazy world
we act as if a multiple choice answer tells us something
It doesn't.

classes, made 47 minutes
so we can teach writing and embed grammar and spelling and punctuation and vocabulary
because in this crazy world
we act as if that's enough time
It isn't.

children, made differently
so their passions, their talents, their challenges, their personalities fill our days and our heads and our teaching and our learning
because in this crazy world
we act as if they are the most important thing in this teaching world.
They are.

10 comments:

  1. Love this poem. I'm preparing to head to school and begin state testing today. The ridiculousness of these tests stop me in my tracks at times.

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  2. What a great piece of poetry. I love how you wove the words Not Doesn't Isn't Are into the piece. And so much truth to what you say. I can't wait to read more from you!

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  3. Poetic, true, honestly beautiful. Thanks for sharing your artistry with us, Ann Marie. I couldn't agree more. In fact, if it's alright with you, I'd love to save this. I can see its complete usefulness. Great rhythm, admirable structure. A touchdown (to keep with your two-a-day practice theme :)).
    b

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  4. Ann Marie,
    My favorite line, "...in this crazy world we act as if kids are the same. They're not." I find it a bit ironic that at a time we are working to differentiate instruction, we continue to test in a one-size-fits-all way. Children are made so differently. How lucky the students in your class are to have you!

    Cathy

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    Replies
    1. You're right! It is so ironic - CRAZY!!!

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  5. Ann Marie- So, so, so true. Beautiful. Kids are not the same. And shouldn't have to be! Thanks for this important reminder.

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  6. My dear friend - I so hear your voice and passion for kids and learning coming through loud and clear. You gotta love a twofer!

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  7. Wow...goosebumps. Love this. L.O.V.E.
    Thanks for writing it,
    Ruth

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  8. The concept of writing two-a-days had me chuckling! But the best was yet to come - your poem is spot on about everything. Thanks so much for sharing.

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