A Time For Testing

I've been asked a lot about how homeschoolers do testing.  It really varies from state to state.  Some require certain tests to be taken and some none at all.  We are not required to turn in any kind of documentation in our state, but you will find that the vast majority of homeschoolers happily participate in standardized testing.  It's a great way to measure results and adjust your teaching to fit your child's unique needs.  It also protects the freedom we have because the results are so positive. 

Third grade is the first year you can participate in the Iowa tests, and that's what we were planning to do.  However, the registration for them was last summer and I barely missed it.  So, there's an opportunity for the girls (yep, both) to take the Stanford Achievement exams this April, and we're going to do it.  I'm going to carve out some time that they can practice in peace, because this is what our schooling often looks like:

Okay, so if you look close you'll see that Giggles is actually reading a Magic Treehouse book, so this wasn't really schooltime.  :)  But it does accurately represent schooling with little ones around.  Lots of being loved on and learning patience.  Sometimes one of the big girls will take a quick break from their book work to read a story to Calico and she loves it.  Little sisters have it made!