Why I Love TAKS

All year long, I have endured the wailing and gnashing of teeth of my teacher colleagues in anticipation of TAKS week. I was prepared for the worst. Surprisingly, my first TAKS week experience has been rather pleasant.

Why, you ask?

*The kids are in their seats. The whole day.

*The kids are quiet. Silent, in fact. The whole day.

*Principals on hand to straighten kids out. No referral forms or parent phone calls needed.

*I'm paid to walk around in circles, soak up the peace & quiet, and enjoy an uninterrupted stream of thoughts.

*The sixth graders I monitored still have manners. I got a "please", "thank you", or "yes ma'am" each time I distributed anything (including tests) or permitted restroom breaks. At what point do children morph into monsters? Must be right before 7th grade when they take my class.


As a side note, I was mobbed by a pack of overly dramatic 7th grade girls on my way in to school this morning. "Ohhhhh Ms. K, I LOVE you! I haven't seen you in forever!!!!!!" Absence makes the heart grow fonder? They've become my biggest fans in the two-day TAKS hiatus from class. Perhaps they'll demonstrate their love with flawless classroom behavior tomorrow? Well, let's not get carried away now...