DWA

I don't do this very often, but let me take a moment to tell you how excited and proud I am of Logan!!  At the beginning of the year they start talking about the "DWA" It stands for Direct Writing Assessment.  It is basically a writing test.  The state does one for the 5th, 7th and 9th graders.  Boise School District does one for the 6th, 8th and 11th graders.  It. Is. A. Big. Deal.  (It's such a big deal I can still remember the stress I felt before I took it 20 years ago!!!)  They score the papers from 1-5.  One being the lowest and 5 being the highest.  They have been taking practice tests weekly and trying to improve on their writing skills.  The hard part about the DWA is you don't know the topic until the test starts.  The teachers don't even know, so they can't prompt the kids during the practice ones.  Logan took this test so seriously.  He told me he wanted to get a 5.  He wanted it so bad.  He had the date marked on the calendar for months.  I was a little worried!  I don't know why, but I didn't really think he could do it.  I know he is a great writer and his teacher always tells me about his stories, but the school only had one 5 last year, and they are really hard to get.  You have to write so well! 

Boy was I wrong!!  After school I ran into his teacher who had just returned from grading the DWA's all day with other teachers in the district.  She told me Logan had gotten the only 5 in the whole school.  A FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am so happy that he set his mind to something and worked so hard at it.  He couldn't stop smiling the rest of the night.  I kept giving him high-fives through the house.  I'm leaving this treat for him to find in the morning-it's his favorite cereal and I thought it was so funny how Lucky looks like he's giving a high-five.  I'm just so proud of Logan and had to share it!  Beth