I Passed the Test...and I think they did too

So, I know you're all dying to hear what happened when my kids took the AP tests...haha. Well, I'm sure this is going to be horribly long so bear with me.

Monday was "the day." It was a day of highs and lows. 7:00 I showed up at my door to see 3 smiling faces ready to be let in. Soon my room had about 10 people, a small showing, all gearing up for the test, asking last minute questions. AP US Gov was first. 7:25 they all trooped out, confident and excited, ready to start our AP testing weeks off right.

As they walked out...man...guys, I was so proud of them. I was beaming! I just love those kids! They are butts sometimes...but I am so proud of them! I prayed for them as they all were gathering in the gym to take the test. I was nervous, but I was looking forward to having the whole day to get things done.

11:00 I'm working away (well, somewhat...I was finding it hard to concentrate) and the door opens and it's my kids. I look up, and nervously ask, grinning, "How'd it go?" How they responded made me feel like I was on cloud nine. The absolute first thing out of their mouths was, "You prepared us so well." It wasn't, "Man, that was so easy," or "So good," or, "I totally aced it." It was, "You prepared us so well!" I beamed. They beamed back and they excitedly told me how it went. Apparently it was so easy for them and one of the essay questions I had given them to review was ON THE TEST!! Sometimes they repeat questions and that was one I had them do to review and we went through how the points are scored as a class!! Seriously, I was so happy. Over the next 10 minutes about 30-40 kids trickled in to tell me how awesome it was. About 20 of them staked out a section of my room and started reviewing for their second test, Comp, that was at 12:30 that day. 10 left and 10 stayed and talked to me for an hour and a half. Seriously...it made my day. Some of them were kids I don't get to spend time with much either. We talked about the class, the curriculum, about what to do after the test, how to change the course for next year, and about colleges, majors and my college days and where I want to travel. It was such an awesome bonding time (though I kept reminding them that they should probably study for Comp).

12:25 they troop off for the second time. I wish them luck and tell them to go be conquerors. I work in my room, pleased to have the time. 1:50 the door opens and Nadia and Austin tumble in out of breath. Surprised, I ask, "Hey...you're done already?" "No, we're on break." They had run up to tell me how it was going. Apparently...it wasn't going well. The Multiple Choice was hard. I told them that they shouldn't even be here and send them off. Then I'm nervous...but, still ok because they said it was hard, they didn't say it was impossible and if they believed it was impossible, they would have told me.

3:10 I had a meeting, which vexed me greatly (although I did learn great things at the meeting...most of which I'm sure will turn up at different points over the next few weeks), and I sat there the whole time trying to focus, but instead thinking that my kids were probably getting out of the test and I wanted to know how it went.

3:50 I get out of the meeting. I meet Alex on the way up the stairs, "How'd it go?" He beams, "So good! Great job preparing us! I think I did really well!" I ask, "Comp?" He makes a grimace, "Well...comp was hard...but still! Good job!" I'm thinking...good...I guess. I get to my door and there were 4 kids sitting in my doorway. Immediately Joan says, "Ms. Burdick, I'm not here to complain, I just want to use your printer."

To make a much longer story shorter, they told me that they essays were even harder (although since then it sounds like most of them were actually ok...) and that one of the essay questions hardly anyone knew how to answer. My stomach sunk. We talked about it. There are reasons they didn't know it...and there are reasons the Comp test didn't go so well. I wont' explain them on here, but the nice thing was that the kids seemed to understand. They were frustrated but they didn't blame me (especially since I didn't really even know the answer).

I was sick to my stomach all night. I couldn't do much of anything so I just went home. I had stuff I needed to do so I went ot my parents house (because I was just so bummed that I didn't want to be by myself). In the end, it turned out ok. I had a really wonderful day and a really dissappointing day at the same time. I ended up ok, with the conclusion, "A: They aced the US test B: At least Comp wasn't impossible (they all complain like crazy so the fact that they weren't doing that was a sign that it was still ok, just not as easy as US) C: It could have been worse and D: No one can predict the AP tests, especially when they're new like this one."

Today i was worried about having to talk to them about it. But, once again, I should have known better. My kids were so excited to see me and talk about the test. We debriefed the test and suggestions on how to change the course to better fit the comp test almost all period. It was, yet again, a great bonding time for us as a class. They were overly-thankful about my role in their tests. I couldn't believe it. There was feedback about the test but not one of them blamed me for not preparing them for the Comp test. Instead, 2 periods cheered me (one of them so over the top that I started blushing like crazy) and in 1 period one of the kids has a present for me to show his appreciation (I'm scared...he's my most liberal student).

ANYWAY...I'm so proud of my students and I'm so proud and thankful that they did so well on US (we'll see...) and I'm so proud of them for being ok with how comp went and not blaming me. If you knew my students, you would know how big of a thing that is for them. It really made me feel very special, especially since I had been so depressed last night. They gave me great feedback and next year's class is going to be great!

The rest of today we watched movies in some classes and played Pictionary and 4 Corners in another...(One last little tidbit...when they were playing pictionary, they drew these pics up on the board of a female and a pencil and a calendar...the phrase was Ms. Burdick's weekend...which they all got a kick out of. They also finally figured out I had Facebook--apparently this class is a little behind--and I had to explain whyI won't let them be my friend after they graduate when Mr. Ellis will. I had 10 friend requests tonight, despite the fact I told them no.)

OK, that's the end.

Reflection: I spent a lot of time tonight making the future of both my classes look better. I made my Dad's chili (which, I must say, is rather good for my first shot at it) and am doing some laundry. What a great day!

Oh, this is my favorite picture series of the day...hehe..













Hmm...somehow I don't think she's impressed. Hehe

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