Goodbye, standardized testing!

The final two STAAR tests are this Tuesday (Math) & Wednesday (Reading). These past few weeks have included monotnous reteaches of various skills the class has not yet mastered - such as making inferences, equivalent fractions, etc. In order to spice up my reading lessons, I've encompassed some STAAR games that my kids do together:

MONDAY – Trashket Ball: For each correct answer, students get a sheet of scrap paper. At the end of the lesson, students get to crunch up each piece of paper and make a shot into the trash can which is placed at the front of the room. The person with the most “paper balls” into a basket wins. 

Trashketball aftermath

TUESDAY – Connect Four: Students work on reading passage & raise their hand after they complete four problems. Check the four problems, & if all four are correct in a row, students have connected four & win a point for their team. If one is incorrect, take a point away from the team.

WEDNESDAY – Super Sleuth: Create large posters/charts divided into 9-12 squares. Write a question in each square. Students walk around & answer questions at different posters & initial the square. Students can only initial one box. Have students explain their answer so other students learn from their peers. 

THURSDAY – Beach Ball: Write question numbers pertaining to reading passage on a beach ball. Teacher throws ball to student. Whatever work their right thumb lands on, they must answer that question – explaining where they found their evidence. 

FRIDAY – STAAR Vegas: Students read STAAR passage for homework & complete the attached questions. Students then get 10 minutes in class to meet with their team to discuss their answers. As a team, they bet "money" for each answer choice they've chosen. If their answer is correct, they get to keep their "money". If the answer is incorrect, the teacher gets to keep the "money".

Thank goodness STAAR ends this week! 

April events:

I received this wonderful letter from a beautiful student

We wrote letters to Boston

Last, but DEFINITELY not least, we achieved 100% mastery on 4.10A
points on a number line!!!

I'M SO PROUD OF THEM :)

3, 2, 1...GO!

Tomorrow begins day one of STAAR Writing. I think I am just as nervous as my kids, but realize that a Monday before state testing cannot perform miracles; therefore, today was dedicated as a "pump up" day.

Three different Horned Frog speakers came to the class to discuss goals & dreams & overcoming obstacles. Kids discussed their own big goal & vision. As a class, we confided in each other with any worries & doubts. Today was great, but I understand that these next two testing days will be tough for my babies.

Please keep my kids in your thoughts!!!

Five tips my co-teacher & I gave to our class for tomorrow:

1. Pace yourself
We know you are excited to tear apart your STAAR writing test tomorrow...

But when you don't pace yourself, you could end up like this mid-test...

2. Organize your thoughts so you don't sound like this girl:

3. Revise & edit your draft

4. Stick to the prompt


5. BREATH & BE CONFIDENT!
In order to avoid this happening (0.20 - .45)...

Tell yourself THIS:

RockSTAAR

STAAR

AKA the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test.

It has arrived.

The countdown for STAAR tests

In just a few short weeks, my class will take STAAR exams for writing, reading & math to assess their mastery of fourth grade skills. My kiddos will need to write narrative & expository essays, read various passages & answer questions to assess comprehension, & solve intense 2-step math problems.

Their brains are really put to the test at this point in the year...as is mine! Amidst the test-prepping/test-taking, I know we are all struggling to make class as fun & stress-free as it was before "crunch time" arrived.

Test time

Every second in the classroom is precious. Snack time has turned into silent math review, morning do-nows involve problem solving, etc. We are in go-go-go mode!

Snack time/place value spiral review

 My kids are champs, but I know spring break is coming at the most perfect & necessary time. We are all getting burnt out. March 8-11 will be a fantastic time to recharge batteries, spend quality time with family & friends, & just rest the soul in general.

Until then, I'll be pushing strong, as will the kids. We're on the path to become RockSTAARS :)

Recent events:

A 4th grade field trip to the Sid Richardson Museum lead to a fun painting activity

Daniel Silverman, Account Coordinator of Schaefer, was guest speaker 

We learned how to simplify fractions

Students gave me a lot of "flowers" during recess

My kids ran the Cowtown 5K

As did the rest of my school

I was able to attend the Vicente Fox Presidential Series featuring the honorable José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain (2004-2011) thanks to the generous Sid Richardson Foundation & Teach For America