Every year Mr. Bender speaks to the 3rd graders – the students taking state tests for the first time.  He draws a big circle and tells them that their entire lives are inside it…then he draws a tiny dot…he tells them that the tiny dot is the test.  He shares that tests are plentiful and necessary in life and can even be fun (he happens to love them) so it is very important to try your best.  However, he wants all our students to remember that in the grand scheme of life…a couple state tests are a drop in the bucket.