Florida elementary students are using colorful writing on the state exam — the same colorful phrases in essay after essay. The Florida Education Department warned 49 schools about “template writing” on the FCAT, reports the Orlando Sentinel.
The department has dubbed the problematic essays “poof! papers” because last year one of the most common examples was fourth-graders writing “Poof!” and then going to dragon land, pirate land, fairy land or candy land. “In the blink of an eye,” “one quintessential, supersonic day,” and “a kaleidoscope of colors encircled me” were other popular phrases.
Of course, it could be a coincidence. Fourth graders always like to discuss their quintessential days.
Via Ed Week’s Web Watch.