Preparing Your Students For Testing - How To Prep Less And Teach More!

Preparing Your Students For Testing - How To Prep Less And Teach More!

Our State test results just came out last week.  My week with PLC groups was much more enjoyable than usual. Our scores are steadily improving and I can see the anxiety of teachers falling.

We have been working with teachers and schools to find that magic bullet to raise scores and lower anxiety.  Although We have not found one thing that will help students meet and exceed their targets, we have a system that comes close.

Step 1 - VOCABULARY

Think of vocabulary as a quick way to give students background information and experiences that are critical in building schema.  Vocabulary helps students navigate reading passages that contain information that students have not had experience with.  There are many resources to help your students navigate ACT Vocabulary, NWEA MAP Vocabulary, SAT Vocabulary, and Common Core vocabulary often found on most state tests.  Get your students familiar with the critical vocabulary and they will be better prepared for assessment.

 

MyPATHS TPT

Step 2 - PRACTICE

If you look at State and National assessments you will find many similarities.  Reading assessments for example often contain informational passages, fiction (poems, and stories), and paired passages. The questions are divided into word recognition, key ideas and inferring, author's purpose, summary, and chronology.  There are many resources available to help students prepare. One of my favorites is this site from Common Core Practice.