Let the Testing Begin

It was inevitable, the testing, the days and days of testing.  This week is the week where our district has us administer baseline testing to our students.  Monday and Tuesday were dedicated to writing, today was reading, and math will be tomorrow and Friday.  Next Monday we start the all but infamous, FAIR testing.  This year I am blessed to be working with a co-teacher, who is also a great friend of mine.  We are getting through this together, which makes a big difference.  
I felt awful when my poor little student had that face of frustration during the reading baseline today.  They don't quite understand what it means when their teacher tells them that there will be no help, not a smidge!  We can't read it, spell it, or breathe it for them.  They are on their own and some of them, one in particular today, just couldn't do it.  I know what he was thinking, he was thinking "aren't you supposed to help, isn't that your job!" Yes my dear little guy, it is, but just this once you have to try on your own.  I promise, next week, I will help you, I really will.


What do you do when you want to grab hold of your frustrated student and help them, but sometimes you are mandated to sit back and watch?