I’m always amazed at how smart kids are these days (and when my kids were little). I don’t remember ever being as clever or creative as today’s children when I was a kid, nor do I remember my classmates being so clever. Also, for sure, most of our teachers didn’t have that great of a sense of humor, or if they did, we never saw it. School administrations and parents expected teachers to be serious folks, and any sort of human-ness was strictly discouraged. What that led to was kids not daring to show just how clever and creative they could be. Nowadays, creativity is more encouraged and even rewarded. Extra points if you’re smarter than the teacher!
Nope, when I was in school, anyone who even appeared to be smarter than the teacher was promptly put in his or her place. Clever answers on tests weren’t encouraged unless they were the correct answers, of course. Someone on the internet recently gathered together a lot of actual real test answers from kids, and the collection is absolutely brilliant. Some of these kids were super smart, some clearly weren’t having their best days, some were confused, and some were….well…smarter than the teachers who created the exams. What I love even more, though, is that the teachers who graded these tests had a great sense of humor.
1. Yes, writing just one word is definitely a risk. And one he or she probably failed.
2. This is just common sense and something the teacher should have thought out carefully.
3. This is a child who definitely has a one-track mind.
4. D’uh, teacher! Ghosts aren’t real.
5. T.C. Hale has clearly learned something from home.
6. I can tell Hope put a lot of thought into naming these quadrilaterals.
7. Hey, she followed the instructions precisely…
8. I think even my cat could figure this one out.
9. This is perfect. Whoever answered these questions is going to go on to great things.
10. Again, too easy.
11. Hey, this is one reason that could be legit. Teacher better not have marked that incorrect!
12. Well, the teacher made it very easy for them.
13. I’ve always loved this one.
14. Poor flower. Somehow, this answer makes me sad.
15. He earned that extra point!
