Tags
Recent Posts
Archives
- April 2017
- March 2017
- May 2016
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- May 2013
- October 2012
- May 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- September 2011
- July 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- November 2010
Ephemeral, Aerogel, Plinth: 6th Grade Vocab on State Test
Let us peruse a list of words featured on the recent sixth grade New York state exam:
ephemeral
aerogel
plinth
ominous situation
paroxysm
clamorous
tutelage
furlong
absconders
surmised
Perhaps each of us should commit to using these words today in our communications. Surely one result would likely be alienation from our recepients. ( “Hey, how’s your aerogel?“)
Arguably there is universal admiration for a command of vocabulary, but the thought of eleven and twelve year olds wrestling with these words in a timed pressure cooker suggests an “ominous situation“. What were these test makers thinking? Perhaps they yearn to design those SAT exams for seniors. The sobering fact that the results will have a direct impact on how a teacher is evaluated points to a profound disconnect. However, there is one phrase used in one of the test items that is telling: “transitory moment of presence in a distinct location”. Let us hope this is a transitory aberration.
