And now for something a little different...

AERO, Alternative Education Resource Organization, is an amazing resource for those of us who are participating in the self-directed learning movement and for those who want to learn more about it.
Their weekly Enews arrived in my inbox moments ago.  The following as you will read was written by a 12 year old.  I just had to share.  For every piece of awesomeness that is published and recognized there are thousands of kids out there with amazing talents who don't get recognized. 


A 12-Year-Old's Anti-Testing Poem

April used to be poetry month,
Where we'd learn about rhythm and rhyme,
But now that standardized tests have set in,
They tell us we just don't have time.

There was 'Poem in Your Pocket' day,
Where you share your unique voice,
But now creativity's gone away,
Now it's nothing but multiple choice.

They say tests show how smart you are,
And teach you all you know,
But how does filling in circles,
Help anyone learn and grow?

In class, when we could be thinking,
Learning how we can go far,
We're categorized by the grades we get,
Like those numbers are all we are.
- Eliya Ahmad, age 12 (written on back of ELA testing booklet, April 2, 2014)