Story Time

Right now in literature circles I'm reading Story Time by Edward Bloor. I think it's very interesting how the author exaggerates and criticises the importance of state testing. It really makes me think about how messed up the "No Child Left Behind Act" is. Some students are very smart, but are terrible at testing. Are their test results really represent how much they're learning? Especially with younger kids, they might not test well because the big thick tests scare them.

Even if the test results did represent how much students were learning, why would they cut off funds to the schools that need the most help? Why would the government give more money to schools that are doing well? Cutting the funds would cause the schools to pay their teachers less, causing them to hire less qualified teachers. It would also cause them to cut the arts. For some students, the arts are the most important part of school. Without something fun to do, they'll go insane and won't be able to concentrate! I know I would.

For schools that do get extremely good scores on the state tests, why does that mean they're good at testing. What if all they do is teach what's on the tests? I bet they don't learn anything interesting or fun. That would be a miserable school to go to. I officially hate state testing.

Peace Like a River

I love this book, and it makes me really makes mad that everyone keeps saying they hate it. The writing is so poetic and beautiful. The author makes you understand everything in a new way. He doesn't just lay everything out for you, and he doesn't tell you everything directly. He makes you dig deeper into what he's saying and relate it to your own life. He really makes you feel like your living the story, instead of just reading it. Unfortunately someone in my literature class blurted out what happened, but I still enjoyed the first section.

I find it really disturbing that the deputy thought that Israel Finch and Tommy Busca were just intent on mischief when they took Swede into their car and threatened her and gave her bruises. That's a bunch of bologna! If somebody did that nowadays, they would get in big trouble. That would drive me insane to know that my family and I weren't safe in our own home. It was probably only because the town thought the Land family was crazy, because the father was a good person. What a ridiculous reason not to like someone.