Reading, Writing, and Multiple Choice

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

Since we are on the subject of reading, writing, and grammar, let me
add an additional thought. I know we have some teacher here and I
would be especially interested in their comments.

We live in the age of 'multiple choice'. When was the last time any
kid actually had to write anything? One of the ways to improve your
writing is to write. The more you do it, assume you are actually
interested in getting better, the better you get. 

To what extent are kids required to write in the US educational system
today?

When I was in high school, I remember most of our tests being short
essay where a sheet of typing paper might contain 4 questions with
space to leave your answers. So not only were we tested on that
particular subject, but we were also graded on spelling and grammar.

As a side note, does anyone beside me remember what a freshly
mimeographed sheet of paper smelled like? I remember teachers handing
out tests, and the first think every student did was smell the
mineograph paper. Used to drive some of the teachers nut. They would
look out over a sea of faces and see the whole class sniffing their tests.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn