Amanda Riker

6th Grade ELA and Social Studies Teacher

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

If you do decide to donate, please use the code LIFTOFF from now until May 4th and your donation will be doubled thanks to DonorsChoose(up to $50).

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

Check out my classroom on @DonorsChoose! I'd love your help to bring my project to life: https://t.co/HjGJ8nhvsV via @donorschoose

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

Great chat everyone! Have a wonderful day! #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

#sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

I thought I might have to define the word "raise" for our group.....

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

I thought I might have to define the word "raise" for our group.....

[Susan Kotch @susankotch]

@MrsRiker6 @MrsPazMPS Ummm.. what is this "raise" you speak of? I'm not familiar with that term... lol. #sunchat #teacherlife. .

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

@MrsPazMPS And I bet that "state suit" got their raise no matter the results of the test......#sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

THIS! I have had students say to me in past years, "This test is not for me, it is really just to prove that YOU are doing YOUR job." - are they wrong? #sunchat

[𝕄𝕣𝕤. ℙ𝕒𝕫 @MrsPazLTMS]

@susankotch @alextvalencic @MrsRiker6 I used to have parents that would send their children in and tell them to fail the test on purpose because they wanted to stick it to the schools.. How is that fair for me who spent so much time teaching skills to their child... #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

@alextvalencic @MrsPazMPS HAHA yes, probably someone in the corporate world making that up! I love student portfolios - valuable conversations with student about how much they have grown in the year with tangible assignments ; ) #sunchats

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

As a teacher, I know what my kids struggle with. I do not need to wait for test results to tell me. Test after test after test is just more time away from valuable instruction. #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

State testing should really be at the end of the school year ONLY - we never get the results in time to do anything with them. The school benchmark testing is where the value data comes from. #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

@alextvalencic @MrsPazMPS Good question, but I think that is a different topic entirely - that is a teacher that needs intervention. Maybe hooking them up with a partner teacher who can help guide them. I do not think the test tells us the reality of the classroom, I truly don't. #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

@MrsPazMPS YES! We are talking about WEEKS we are giving up, not hours. It's testing, then it's makeup testing, then more testing. We wonder why our brightest kids are bombing these tests, it is because they are OVER IT! #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

@alextvalencic I don't think there is anything wrong with knowing your goal and working backwards to achieve it. I agree that it has to be the right things in the right way. I do not think our state tests are it. #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

HOWEVER, I do not like our current state testing. We are lucky if we get the results in the next school year, what good are they then? That class is long gone. Overall, in my opinion, there is TOO MUCH TESTING! #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

So.....standardized testing?!?! I have very MIXED feelings. I like the testing that out school does called the NWEA. The data is pretty immediate and you can use it to enhance instruction. HOWEVER..... #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

@susankotch YESSS! I am so excited about this! #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

@susankotch Fine! I will put my flamingo floatie away!

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

Good morning! Two chats in a row - a new record ; ) Joining from the rainy Jersey Shore! Excited to chat #sunchat

[Amanda Riker @MrsRiker6]

Have a great day everyone! #sunchat