Tuesday Trip Report: Middle Sugarloaf (52WAV). April 26, 2012

Each year, the girls take standardized tests so I can show the good state of New Hampshire that yes, my children are learning and no, I don't make them clean the house all day while I sit and eat bonbons.

I have mixed feelings about standardized tests.  I don't mind them when it comes to math and reading, since I like to know how my kids are doing compared with other kids across the country.  Also, I think both my girls should know how to take such tests since, for better or for worse, they'll need to take similar exams when they apply to college.  However, when it comes to subjects like science...how do you choose which mini-subject is most important?  Alex and Sage can tell you how many electrons are in the outer shell of any given element if you tell them the atomic number, but they're both rusty on the differences between amphibians and reptiles.  It's completely possible they'll tank on the standardized tests if the questions reflect one area of study we haven't touched on but ignore another area of study the girls know like the back of their hands.

I don't prepare the girls for these tests.  Meaning, we don't stress out beforehand or hold special prep days.  They know what they know.  Gaps can be filled in later.  I'll be a bit more formal about these things when they reach their teenage years, when the results of such tests go in their permanent records.  For now, I'm keeping it casual.  Last year, both girls were in the top ten percentiles for their grade levels, so my laid back attitude is working thus far.

We spent the morning of Test Day #1 hiking Middle Sugarloaf.  This little 2539-ft mountain is on the 52 With a View list.  I have to say, the girls and I are LOVING this list.  These hikes a) do not require us to get out of bed before dawn, b) always lead to an open space with a spectacular view, and c) can be done in a relatively short amount of time.  For us, it's casual hiking at its best.  Heck, I didn't even put backpacks on the girls for this one (I carried all the usual safety gear).

Irene sure took a chunk out of this trail last summer...

Going up...

Cool-looking boulder...

Up...

VIEWS!

We lounged for over an hour, examining rocks and dirt.

Eventually, we meandered our way down the mountain, put a bunch of quarters into some Plymouth parking meters, and went home to take the standardized tests (I think they did very well). 

I'm not sure, but I don't think this is how the school system does it...