Mrs. Gentry found a great new website that allows the kids to practice ISTEP multiple choice questions. It will tell you if the answer is incorrect and doesn't allow you to move on until the correct answer is chosen. I especially like the practice since it's online--IREAD and ISTEP multiple choice are all the computer, so it's a great way to get the kids used to it! Enjoy!
Ms. Todd's Website
Monday, January 27, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Constructed Response Questions
During the Reading Comprehension portion of the March ISTEP, students will be asked to write a response about what they just read. The week of the snowstorm, I went to a Reading Conference put on by Kristina Smekens. It was tons of fantastic information that is guiding the 3rd grade's preparations for ISTEP Reading and IREAD.
High Scoring Responses:
*Question was restated
*Response was more than a summary
*Specific details from the text
*Stand-alone paragraph (you didn't need the question to understand the paragraph)
Process (EVERY TIME)
1. Understand the question
2. Restate the question
3. Provide a general answer
4. Skim the text
5. Give two reasons from the text
*6. End with why the evidence fits (due to limited line space and time, this is something that will be more appropriate for 4th grade and on)
7. Reread only your response
Product: Yes, Ma'am
We're talking lots about The Test Lady as we practice. She's the Ma'am we're writing to!
Use this format for any written responses that come home. And ask your own questions about what you read together--even if it's an oral response, getting your child into the habit of thinking through these sentences will help!
Example:
What do fossils tell us about the past?
Fossils tell us about the past. The text says they show what plants and animals looked like. The text also says that fossils show what dinosaurs lived in groups. That's what fossils tell us about the past.
High Scoring Responses:
*Question was restated
*Response was more than a summary
*Specific details from the text
*Stand-alone paragraph (you didn't need the question to understand the paragraph)
Process (EVERY TIME)
1. Understand the question
2. Restate the question
3. Provide a general answer
4. Skim the text
5. Give two reasons from the text
*6. End with why the evidence fits (due to limited line space and time, this is something that will be more appropriate for 4th grade and on)
7. Reread only your response
Product: Yes, Ma'am
We're talking lots about The Test Lady as we practice. She's the Ma'am we're writing to!
Use this format for any written responses that come home. And ask your own questions about what you read together--even if it's an oral response, getting your child into the habit of thinking through these sentences will help!
Example:
What do fossils tell us about the past?
Fossils tell us about the past. The text says they show what plants and animals looked like. The text also says that fossils show what dinosaurs lived in groups. That's what fossils tell us about the past.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Prepping for the Test
It seems like everything we're doing right now circulates around preparing for ISTEP and IREAD. Test taking strategies, constructed response formats, working in a time frame, reading longer passages, taking tests on a computer, writing math procedures... So much goes into getting the kids comfortable to sit down and take a lengthy, high stakes test. And no matter how we feel about the testing itself, we want them to feel as though they can tackle whatever "The Test Lady" throws at them.
The good news is, even with all this test preparation, it's not sacrificing quality instruction and the learning of skills to be successful next year. We'll still do reading, writing, and math--there will just be time set aside to show how test questions could be asked about what we're doing! (PS--Science and Social Studies will be taught too! But since we don't test over them, I won't tie it into test taking prep).
Things We're Doing In Class To Prepare:
*IREAD practice test (coming soon)
*ISTEP practice reading test (closer to the multiple choice test in May)
*Daily Reading Review
*Reading lessons: reading longer passages, finding the answer in the text, constructed responses, multiple choice questions
*Reading small groups: targeted practice on skills that need support
*Online reading tests
*IREAD practice packets
*Writing prompts: how to answer a prompt, prewriting, organizing into paragraphs, editing, grading
*Daily Math Review
*Math problem solving: multi-step problems, explain how you solved, key words
*Math work stations: leveled activities to brush up on difficult skills based on the Math AYP
*Multiple Choice practice: how to read, 50/50 strategy, go back to the text
*Reading/Math/Grammar practice book: worksheets and games to be completed every two weeks
Things You Can Do At Home:
*Homework
*Moby Max: both reading and math (Login information: Username--96 number, Password--last name in all capital letters)
*Optional practice packets
*Open ended question practice: criteria, ideas, and procedures will be coming home in the next two weeks
*Word games
*Read and ask questions
*ISTEP questions from previous years
The good news is, even with all this test preparation, it's not sacrificing quality instruction and the learning of skills to be successful next year. We'll still do reading, writing, and math--there will just be time set aside to show how test questions could be asked about what we're doing! (PS--Science and Social Studies will be taught too! But since we don't test over them, I won't tie it into test taking prep).
Things We're Doing In Class To Prepare:
*IREAD practice test (coming soon)
*ISTEP practice reading test (closer to the multiple choice test in May)
*Daily Reading Review
*Reading lessons: reading longer passages, finding the answer in the text, constructed responses, multiple choice questions
*Reading small groups: targeted practice on skills that need support
*Online reading tests
*IREAD practice packets
*Writing prompts: how to answer a prompt, prewriting, organizing into paragraphs, editing, grading
*Daily Math Review
*Math problem solving: multi-step problems, explain how you solved, key words
*Math work stations: leveled activities to brush up on difficult skills based on the Math AYP
*Multiple Choice practice: how to read, 50/50 strategy, go back to the text
*Reading/Math/Grammar practice book: worksheets and games to be completed every two weeks
Things You Can Do At Home:
*Homework
*Moby Max: both reading and math (Login information: Username--96 number, Password--last name in all capital letters)
*Optional practice packets
*Open ended question practice: criteria, ideas, and procedures will be coming home in the next two weeks
*Word games
*Read and ask questions
*ISTEP questions from previous years
**************************
Keep checking out the blog for ideas for how to prepare!
IREAD Parent Meeting Thursday, January 23rd at 8:45 and 6:00. Please plan to attend.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
ISTEP/IREAD Practice
A whole extra week of Winter Break! As much as I LOVED the extra time with Emily, we were going pretty stir crazy. It's amazing what a trip to Target can do when you've been stuck inside for three days!
But with this week off, I've done lots of planning, creating, and Pinterest-ing for ideas to make practicing for our upcoming standardized tests meaningful, targeted, and fun. It's going to be an intense couple of months! Our third grade team has already collaborated on some practice packets, which you'll see coming home soon.
We're really targeting the open ended questions:
*Reading Response: Read a lengthy passage and answer a question using evidence from the text (length: approximately 8-10 sentences)
*Writing: Write a story from your life with a focus on organization and word choice
*Math: multi-step problems solving and explaining how to solve the problem
For in-class practice, I'll be creating binders that will change each week (Reading will change every other week).
*4 Reading Activities
*1 Reading Game
*4 Grammar/Phonics Activities
*4 Math Activities
*1 Math Game
But this is where I'll need your help! Putting these binders together is a pretty laborious project, and while I think it's HUGELY important, any help you can provide would be much appreciated!
--Run copies
--Change out the activities (These will be switched out of the plastic page protectors each week)
Send me a note or email to let me know if you're interested in helping out. The binders will change every Friday, but whenever you're available will be great!
But with this week off, I've done lots of planning, creating, and Pinterest-ing for ideas to make practicing for our upcoming standardized tests meaningful, targeted, and fun. It's going to be an intense couple of months! Our third grade team has already collaborated on some practice packets, which you'll see coming home soon.
We're really targeting the open ended questions:
*Reading Response: Read a lengthy passage and answer a question using evidence from the text (length: approximately 8-10 sentences)
*Writing: Write a story from your life with a focus on organization and word choice
*Math: multi-step problems solving and explaining how to solve the problem
For in-class practice, I'll be creating binders that will change each week (Reading will change every other week).
*4 Reading Activities
*1 Reading Game
*4 Grammar/Phonics Activities
*4 Math Activities
*1 Math Game
But this is where I'll need your help! Putting these binders together is a pretty laborious project, and while I think it's HUGELY important, any help you can provide would be much appreciated!
--Run copies
--Change out the activities (These will be switched out of the plastic page protectors each week)
Send me a note or email to let me know if you're interested in helping out. The binders will change every Friday, but whenever you're available will be great!
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