I had a English teacher in High School who asked questions like “What color was Vivian’s dress when she went to the party?” so he could tell if you really read the book. Especially when the book was made into a movie.
Elly and John should sent Michael to a military academy!-———-Um, you do realize this is a comic strip, don’t you?You know, with jokes.It sounds like you never went to a normal school. Mom and Dad just tightened your bolts and sent you off into the world.
Michael being shipped off to a military academy could make for some good jokes and punchlines. One idea could be:Michael gets sent away then returns on Christmas with a buzzcut and in a sharp-looking dress uniform. Everyone’s reaction.John: Glad to see you acting mature and respectful of your elders. We are all very proud of you Michael.Elly: You look so handsome in those dress blues!Elizabeth: He sits up straight, has good table manners and pulls out Mom’s seat for her at the dinner table. Is that my brother??Grandpa: Reminds me of my compatriots in the Second World War. Michael is a real chip off the old block!Michael: I admit it was not easy, but I have learned to buckle down. Best off all, with this short hair I no longer have that weird premature balding look!
Personally, I always did far better at exams of all sorts than I should have. Maybe because my parents were teachers, or I was an introvert and really observed people closely. The trick for most exams was to know what the teacher felt important. The tricks for standardised tests was a combo of that and knowing how YOU would write a question, to tell if a person really understood.
My skill at tests (and the failure of other students who had a fantastic overall sense of what was going on) kind of soured me on thinking they should be too important in anyone’s life. Sadly, in the US right now, we are giving tests far too much credit. They have their place, to help both students and teachers to get a sense of what people know (or not), but these days….
Lynn’s notes:
Writing about the trials and tribulations of being a student brought memories flooding back. Here, I relived the anxiety of writing exams. Like everyone else, I hated them. There is an art to studying, which I didn’t learn until high school, and that is: there will always be questions asked about things which aren’t covered in class — studying your class notes is never enough. If you want to ace an exam, you have to thoroughly read your textbooks, take notes, and memorize anything you think might be relevant. Before I started to do this, I would study my notes, get an average mark, and feel cheated! I knew what was in my class notes…but exams proved that I didn’t know the subject.
Once upon a time, schools were allowed to use inductive reasoning as part of the curriculum (giving you information and then asking you to draw conclusions from it about how to solve a problem, rather than making you memorize a bunch of number that you’ll forget after the test.)-In this day of test after test, to prove that schools are ‘accountable’ for the tax dollars spent (or to take those dollars from public schools and give them to private schools owned by Governor’s pals, where kids aren’t tested to death), there is no room for inductive reasoning.
While teaching, I reviewed the class for the next days test. I told them to play close attention to the review, and take notes on what I said; many did….a few did not. Upon completion of the review, I informed my students that those who had taken notes had an exact copy of tomorrows test…and I was certain that they would not share the info with those who were too lazy/otherwise occupied to take notes. Sure enough, many made 100…a few might have gotten four or five questions correct…..
Why don’t you know the stuff that they ask? Ball’s in your court, Michael. Always is, always will be (unless you’re giving the test). And yes, howtheduck, I suspect that’s a peculiarly Canadian turn of phrase, much like British kids don’t study math; they study maths.
Please, don’t get him started. Between his stories of how terrible his mother was and how terrible his female teachers were, and how terrible his sisters were, he must have landed here from the planet Taliban…
Templo S.U.D. about 9 years ago
Okay, Michael, quiz time: who is the current Prime Minister of Canada? (As in, FBor FW readers, the one at the time of this strip.)
lynnskay about 9 years ago
Was this 1985? If so it was Brian Martin Mulroney, I think. If it was before that, ya’ got me…
Ol Skool about 9 years ago
they never test you on what you know, it is always the miniscule things you nodded of on when the professor was teaching
verticallychallenged Premium Member about 9 years ago
Hellooooo, PARCC testing! :p
lightenup Premium Member about 9 years ago
Well, what do you know, Michael? And knowing the stats on your favorite sports figure doesn’t count.
AliCom about 9 years ago
I had a English teacher in High School who asked questions like “What color was Vivian’s dress when she went to the party?” so he could tell if you really read the book. Especially when the book was made into a movie.
mcsnick about 9 years ago
No military school please, lets send him to rational school.
Can't Sleep about 9 years ago
Elly and John should sent Michael to a military academy!-———-Um, you do realize this is a comic strip, don’t you?You know, with jokes.It sounds like you never went to a normal school. Mom and Dad just tightened your bolts and sent you off into the world.
USN1977 about 9 years ago
Michael being shipped off to a military academy could make for some good jokes and punchlines. One idea could be:Michael gets sent away then returns on Christmas with a buzzcut and in a sharp-looking dress uniform. Everyone’s reaction.John: Glad to see you acting mature and respectful of your elders. We are all very proud of you Michael.Elly: You look so handsome in those dress blues!Elizabeth: He sits up straight, has good table manners and pulls out Mom’s seat for her at the dinner table. Is that my brother??Grandpa: Reminds me of my compatriots in the Second World War. Michael is a real chip off the old block!Michael: I admit it was not easy, but I have learned to buckle down. Best off all, with this short hair I no longer have that weird premature balding look!
dsom8 about 9 years ago
In other words, a normal kid.
masnadies about 9 years ago
Personally, I always did far better at exams of all sorts than I should have. Maybe because my parents were teachers, or I was an introvert and really observed people closely. The trick for most exams was to know what the teacher felt important. The tricks for standardised tests was a combo of that and knowing how YOU would write a question, to tell if a person really understood.
My skill at tests (and the failure of other students who had a fantastic overall sense of what was going on) kind of soured me on thinking they should be too important in anyone’s life. Sadly, in the US right now, we are giving tests far too much credit. They have their place, to help both students and teachers to get a sense of what people know (or not), but these days….
Lynn’s notes:
Writing about the trials and tribulations of being a student brought memories flooding back. Here, I relived the anxiety of writing exams. Like everyone else, I hated them. There is an art to studying, which I didn’t learn until high school, and that is: there will always be questions asked about things which aren’t covered in class — studying your class notes is never enough. If you want to ace an exam, you have to thoroughly read your textbooks, take notes, and memorize anything you think might be relevant. Before I started to do this, I would study my notes, get an average mark, and feel cheated! I knew what was in my class notes…but exams proved that I didn’t know the subject.
Fido (aka Felix Rex) Premium Member about 9 years ago
Here I was, ready to post a meaningless Elly-bash, when Rebel Strike beat me to it. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.
Argy.Bargy2 about 9 years ago
Once upon a time, schools were allowed to use inductive reasoning as part of the curriculum (giving you information and then asking you to draw conclusions from it about how to solve a problem, rather than making you memorize a bunch of number that you’ll forget after the test.)-In this day of test after test, to prove that schools are ‘accountable’ for the tax dollars spent (or to take those dollars from public schools and give them to private schools owned by Governor’s pals, where kids aren’t tested to death), there is no room for inductive reasoning.
jppjr about 9 years ago
While teaching, I reviewed the class for the next days test. I told them to play close attention to the review, and take notes on what I said; many did….a few did not. Upon completion of the review, I informed my students that those who had taken notes had an exact copy of tomorrows test…and I was certain that they would not share the info with those who were too lazy/otherwise occupied to take notes. Sure enough, many made 100…a few might have gotten four or five questions correct…..
K M about 9 years ago
Why don’t you know the stuff that they ask? Ball’s in your court, Michael. Always is, always will be (unless you’re giving the test). And yes, howtheduck, I suspect that’s a peculiarly Canadian turn of phrase, much like British kids don’t study math; they study maths.
poodles27 about 9 years ago
Hello, Mike, it’s a new thing. It’s called studying!
Argythree about 9 years ago
Please, don’t get him started. Between his stories of how terrible his mother was and how terrible his female teachers were, and how terrible his sisters were, he must have landed here from the planet Taliban…