Accelerated Reader Testing Experience

The familiar aroma of coffee fills the air as I enter the not so common area. I feel very bewildered in the labyrinth of hallways searching for my classroom just like I had stepped into corn maze as a child. At last, I locate the secluded room tucked away inside the massive building. Even though the number on the door matches the number on my schedule I am still second guessing if I am in the right place. The door opened up as students poured out. Finally, I took my seat at the back, trying my hardest to sit down unnoticed. My hands were shaking as I wrote the class name at the top of my paper. After what seemed like ages the professor proceeded to

The thrill of winning a trophy for the first time is always memorable, however, it brings up the question: Is receiving an award for participating just as exciting? Participation awards are a topic highly debated among those of all ages, with none agreeing on a single answer. Individuals who are under the impression that they are essential believe they boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem. This may be true in some cases, but these trophies could be doing more harm than good. Although in the moment they may appear to be wholesome, they have a lasting effect on children as they grow older. Many children put loads of effort into winning awards, which is belittled by participation trophies that are not only unhelpful and unrewarding, but don’t teach them the important values learned by losing.

Coming off the last pro where there are a lot of hard-working children. These kids could end up just wanting to find this level of success again and strive to reach it again. Winning something could easily cause a child to want to be in this situation once again. The feeling of achievement can be contagious to these kids everyday lives and can lead to major success for them in their

Overall, I support Merryman’s claim that society rewards all participants despite their qualifications to hold the title of a “winner”. Today the term “winner” has become a cliché where people have driven the idea of success to the brink of extinction. Meaning, that society has over produced the idea of a winner to the extent that some other title would have to replace the phrase “Congratulations, you are a winner”. Personally, I believe that Merryman demonstrates the effect that as children are constantly provided trophies, certificates, and other methods of reward, each of these materials tend to tamper with the foundation of the meaning of being a true victor. Merryman states that, “nonstop recognition does not inspire children to succeed. Instead it causes them to under achieve;” with this statement, Merryman shows the key idea that as children

Participation trophies are changing kids ideas of winning around the globe in many ways. First off, it gives children the wrong impression on working or putting an effort towards something. Trophies are something you should have to earn. Life doesn’t give you a participation medal, you have to earn it (Website #2). Kids just need to learn that

The inevitable had happened; I, as a small child, was demanded to read. A little antisocial human being launched into a world of, at first, difficult words and lengthy phrases. While words and literacy were forced into my mind, I had reluctantly begun the adventure to enjoy and accept the art of literature. Later however, my hopes and dreams were crushed to pieces by a gruesome teacher with an interesting form of a so called “grading policy.”

Participation trophies can lead to an increase in confidence within children, and they also give the child a reason to engage in the activity. The boost in confidence in a child is recommended throughout their young years since the child may feel as if it's not as smart or as talented as the other kids. The reason to engage is also a great thing because children can let out their pent up emotions from being in the classroom. So all in all, children winning participation trophies may actually be a good thing.

On September 1, 2012, I walked into my fifth grade teacher’s classroom for the first time in my life. Mrs.Cullen was standing in the front of the door with open arms ready to welcome her new fifth grade students. As I made my way to my desk and sat down next to Charlie Schutt and Quin Timmerman, I got the feeling that middle school would be a time of talking to some of my best friends and cruising through classes. As the school year progressed, and classroom seats changed, my thought of how Middle school would be changed as well. On the first day Mrs.Cullen explained our schedule, Homework detentions, and demerits. After about fifty questions, she sent us off to our first class, and the first step of our Middle School journey. The fifth grade

When I'm older, I'd love to be able to look at those rewards and remember everything about the sport. Maybe looking at memorabilia will even make a few people get in contact with old teammates and friends and catch up on all the years that have gone by. Not to mention, being reminded of being part of team can be helpful in almost every occupation. These small awards instill the idea in a person's mind that working as a unit can lead to success. Success doesn't always mean coming in first place or being the most valuable player. Success can mean working collaboratively and becoming a family. Clearly, giving participation trophies can lead to many great things in a person's future, including when they look at the awards and remember what they were a part

Heffernan believes that if kids are given these trophies as a sign of recognition, even for just showing up, they will become motivated to do more next time, because when it comes down to winning and losing, at a young age it’s not a necessity, as the lesson in that is all around them (Heffernan, Paragraph 3). The main lesson in this is that it teaches kids at a young age to not give up, and to strive to succeed, although there is no need to fret over failure, because what matters is that you do your best. Even if success isn’t the result, then working hard with recognition as motivation will have a greater outcome the next time. Not only that, but it is a lesson in teamwork, as kids are taught to work together, and if someone is struggling, then they are there to help, since they have been in the same situation (Heffernan, Paragraph 8). Teamwork is a major key in adulthood. There will be many instances in which teamwork is key, and will make tasks easier to handle. Where there is teamwork, there is also leadership, a quality that many discover through teamwork. It is important for kids to learn leadership in order to handle difficult situations in the future. There are some negatives to those who receive participation trophies, as there can be kids who just don’t care at all about any recognition, and can grow out of the sport, or anything else. Sometimes, what is used to motivate some can be seen as discouraging towards others, and there is where a flaw is seen with

I moved as fast my little legs could take me into the hallway of the tiny elementary school. It was crowded and every child was gossiping about what was going on. “Maybe there’s an earthquake.” “Maybe someone got sick.” “Maybe Mrs. Mack died.” All the ideas were twirling around

Have you ever performed the worst that you could, but still got rewarded for it? Me either. In society today, we have come to the fact that everyone should be a winner just because they were involved. How will that affect our society when these "participation winners" get to the real life, and realize they don't win no matter how hard or not how hard they work? It has become a huge argument when coming to this topic all around America, especially in school activities with ages from 3-18. If everyone were to receive a participation trophy for their performances than that will affect society greatly when these kids get into the real adult world. Based off of the article shared and developed ideas, there becomes three argumentative

Winning gives you an incomparable feeling of joy and accomplishment; it is one of the best feelings in the world (Winning Isn't Everything, It's the Only Thing). “Winning does build confidence especially when that winning represents a true accomplishment; (i.e., I've beaten a worthy opponent),” says David A. Feigley (The Role of Winning in Youth Sports).

The computer lab was a small block building tucked away at the farthest north wing of the school. There were around twenty humming and buzzing computers lining three dreary, pale white walls. All of the heat from the computers, made the room almost unbearable to reside in during the summer and cozy during the winter. It was in this room that I got my first taste of writing poems.

Unknowingly, this is where everything would start to change. As soon as Mrs. Anderson dismissed me, I walked strait to the library. To be completely honest I didn’t walk to the library, I ran. Accidently swinging the front door open to eagerly and having to catch it from hitting the wall. I sped walked through the over baring scent of citrus table cleaner. Right after I escaped the table cleaner before it could completely smother me, I could begin to smell the alluring scent of books. I proceed to the third book shelf on the left. Slouched against the wall next to the book