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A 5th Grader's Song from Tennessee


Every year at about this time, I do a songwriting unit with my upper grade kids, where they take one of the songs they've been learning to play on guitar and write new words for it, or actually write an original song of their own. It serves the double purpose of looking on the lesson plans like something more related to the test than my regular curriculum and being a creative and free experience at a time when there isn't much creativity encouraged. I have a list of possible topics, one of them being the upcoming TCAP test. (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program)

One of my 5th graders, who is quite verbally gifted but has trouble completing written assignments normally was just scribbling away. When I went over to see what he was doing, he commented "I know I have to do something else, but this was what jumped into my brain, and I had to get it out." I looked at it, and commented, "Well, I probably can't display it on the bulletin board, but I think it's great!" I asked him if I could send it to an internet site which doesn't like the test, and he said Yes. He was thrilled to hear that he wasn't the only one who feels this way.



Here's what he came up with

TCAP (to the tune of "Wild Thing"

TCAP!
This test is such c---!
My teacher's nerves have snapped.
Over the TCAP!

TCAP
I feel my stomach cramp
I hear my fingers snap
I hate the TCAP!

TCAP, I know I hate you
But there's one thing I must know
Why are you testing me?
What can this show?

TCAP!
This test is such c---!
My teacher's nerves have snapped.
Over the TCAP!


For those who would like to see what fifth graders in Tennessee are up against, there are sample test items (written by CTB/McGraw-Hill), at:

http://www.state.tn.us/education/tsachsamp5.pdf



2004-02-23


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