Testing Miss Malarkey

Summary:

This story might be more humorous to teachers than students. Poor Miss Malarkey has to worry about her students test scores. This story laughs at how state tests have overcome the teaching world and that every aspect of a students life is taken over how to take a standardized test. The students are being prepped at home, in the cafeteria and of course in the clasroom.

About the Author: Kevin O'Malley and Judy Finchler

O'Malley and Finchler both made efforts with this book. O'Malley wanted to illustrate and have a hand in writing children's books for the children that were hard to entertain. As a child he was sent to the library to get out of his teacher's hair and found himself reading more and more books. Many of the books his has illustrated and written are dedicated for the students who are harder to manage and can relate to the characters in the story.

Finchler is a former librarian and elementary school teacher. She currently lives in New Jersey.

Theme/Skill: Humor, Fiction, Fantasy

Grave Level: 2-6

Pre-Reading Activity:

 If students are not familiar with the standardized state assessments, let them know how important they are and how much more important they are going to become with the new teacher evaluation. Ask the students if they get nervous and worried about these tests. Also ask students if they notice any differences with teachers and what they do in school before and after the tests. Complete a Venn Diagram about these observations.

 Post-Reading Activity:

After reading the story, ask the students if this is similar to how their school is before a test. Hopefully they would all say no. Ask them to complete their Venn Diagram and to respond to a journal question on the back: "Do you think state tests are fair? Why or why not?"

Reflection:

 This book is hilarious from the teacher point of view. Last year while getting ready for the state tests, everything that wasn't on the test was put aside for a week and all classes focused on drilled students. This story brings a good opinion into view, are these tests worth all of the stress and preparation?