. . . . . Achievement Tests aka Filling in the Circles with a #2 Pencil

In the state of Georgia, we are required to give them every 3 years, beginning with 3rd grade. There is no rule about WHEN during that year they must be given. The only rule about which one to give is that it must be nationally normed.  We do not turn them in to anyone but just keep them on file for our own records. The only reason I guess they make us do this is in case you were to decide to send your child back to a public or possible a private school it may make it easier to place them, although I'm not convinced of that.

Regardless of the reason, we are required so this year we have fulfilled that requirement again. The results? Oh, we aren't required to reveal them to anyone. Besides the fact you have to know how to interpret the scores, what difference does it make? I mean REALLY? 

I've heard parents bragging about their child's test results. Come to find out, that parent didn't actually understand the results. I count it a blessing that the first time we ever had our oldest take a test, the place we used sent us an excellent description of what all those percentages and numbers meant.

As a home educator I'm allowed to teach my children subjects in the order we want to learn them. There is nothing that says my child MUST memorize multiplication tables by age 8. There is nothing that says my child must be able to understand fractions by age 11. There is nothing that says we must study Georgia History in 8th grade instead of 6th or 9th. 

We just are not required to do things "like everyone else" or because that is the way some other school does it. I rather enjoy that! We can teach our kids on their level and make sure they actually understand something before we push them to the next thing. We can slow down or speed up depending on their understanding and ability to demonstrate that understanding. 

Oh, you still would like to know how our girls did on their test? As I figured, our girls tested "average" for their peer group. OH GOOD! I'd hate to think I'm responsible for genius thinkers. I'd have to turn their learning totally over to their dad if that were the case. :)

BRrrrrr! Baby it's COLD outside!

Savannah enjoying the snowfall yesterday.

So, here in Georgia where I live south of Atlanta, I think it's been a good 7 or 8 years since we've seen more than a flurry or two. So yesterday on the way to church I saw a few "flakes" on the windshield mixed in with the rain. I had a child at home not feeling well so I stayed through breakfast, Sunday school and most of the church service. Savannah was speaking about her upcoming trip to China and when she was done the girls and I left in a flurry of HUGE flakes to get home and check on Sandi.

Sandi was feeling better so we headed to meet the in-laws for lunch and Terry was meeting us there after a short deacon meeting after church. Well, the parking lot was already getting slushy and still HUGE flakes of snow coming down. It was beautiful. On the way home I even took a tiny detour so we could get a few snapshots with a camera one of the girls had with them. I know it's not a lot of snow by most people's standards but we are loving it! And here it is 7 hours later (when I was typing thins) and it is still snowing, though the flakes are a lot smaller now.

Can you find our dog, Amber and our bunny, Thumper in the photos here? They weren't too fond of the white stuff. Here is also our front yard and some trees around our place.