Making Test Prep More Interactive

Our state tests are 5 days away - and needless to say we are under pressure to get the students ready to pass those tests.  4th grade is the first year the students are asked to complete written responses, so that is an additional challenge to prepare them for.   I am linking up with I'm Lovin' Lit for Thursday Throw Down to share how I made our preparation a bit more interactive.



I started by giving them a copy of the rubric that came in the test prep materials for a constructed response.

We read it together and made sure they understood what it meant.  Then I put the students into groups and gave them sample pieces of student work that were included in the test prep material as well.

The original items had scores at the bottom along with rationale.  I cut those off before I handed them out.  Then I asked the students to work together to grade each of these items.

They voted as a group to rank each one, and wrote their scores and rationale on the paper.

We then discussed the rankings as a group, and I showed them the original scores.  They were much harsher than our state graders!  After this process, they wrote their own responses, and worked together to improve them.  I really think this will help them as they take their tests next week.

Currently - April

Happy first day of April!  That means it is time to link up with Farley for this month's Currently!

When he woke up this morning, Luke (my 8 year old) came into my room shouting, "Happy April Showers!"  I asked him if it was raining and he said, "No, but isn't today April Showers Day?"  Love it!  He thought today was a special day about April Showers.  As a teacher of 4th graders (who is dreading  looking forward to all of the April Fools jokes I will hear today) I really appreciated his take on today!

Our state tests are next week, so I am frantically planning ways to review that aren't too painful.  I have a few ideas up my sleeve, just hoping for enough time to pull them off.  I think that is a common teacher problem - we all need more time.  I'm thinking teachers should be blessed with an extra hour or two each day, don't you think?

Speaking of CRT's, our teachers put together a video for our students.  So embarrassing, but so fun.  It was nice being able to goof off with fellow staff members because we rarely have time to do that (see the time thing again???).

I have been seriously jealous of all of my blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram friends who have been enjoying their Spring Break already.  We still have 3 more weeks! This teacher 

is seriously NEEDING a break!  I am not looking forward to the week in between CRT's and Spring Break - at all!  The kids will be fried!

Farley asked as her last question what our hours are - We are in school from 8:30-3:15 Mon-Thurs and then 8:30-2:15 on Fridays.  On Fridays we have professional development in the morning so we have to be there at 7:00 (upside is we get to go home at 2:30). We get out of school May 30th this year which means we only have a month left of school after Spring Break.

HAPPY APRIL SHOWERS DAY!

5 For Friday - March 28, 2014

Oh my Goodness! This week has been the longest week ever!  Well, at least it felt that way!  Thank goodness it's Friday and thank goodness it's over!  Also time to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for 5 For Friday!

One reason why this week was so incredibly long was that I was sick most of it :(  !  I had a spider bite morph into a staph infection.  The bite started to flame up a bit over the weekend, but by Monday afternoon I had a full blown fever.  I had a headache most of the day on Monday, but didn't take my temp until I got home. 101.3 - no bueno!  So, it was a trip to the doctor for some antibiotics and sub plans for the next day.  I must say, my hubby was awesome and went down to the school to make copies for the sub so that I could stay home and rest.  He is definitely a keeper!  

Anyway, the sub day was a complete bust as I had 5 - yes FIVE parent calls to tell me what a disaster the day was, so I had to drag myself into school on Tuesday because I couldn't subject the students to a second day.  I have a few kiddos who are a tad on the emotional side who DEPEND on structure and routine.  When I got in that morning the sub left in the note the following quote, "I didn't follow your discipline plan our seating chart - it was too chaotic for me to do anything."  - WHAT??? What do you expect if you don't follow the discipline plan???  And changing the seating chart is also ridiculous - I have students seperated for  a reason!  GRRR! Sorry, vent over... It just didn't start my week well at all!  Or my students.  Two of them passed by my classroom before school on Wednesday and I heard one say, "She's here!  I see her Starbuck's on her desk!"  ( I May be a bit addicted...)

This week has also been taxing because it is test prep time.  We have our state tests April 8 - 11th so it is crunch time!

Our city received an art grant to install some large art sculptures downtown.  One of the artists is making a turtle that will have tiles made by the students in our town. The artists came into our classroom this week to help make ours. 

Each student made two tiles - one to represent Nevada and one to represent themselves.

Last week I asked for help voting for my school to win $10,000 to help repair our dire playground.

Well, GREAT NEWS - WE WON!  They presented the check to our school this morning.

As I look through my pictures from this week, I notice that my classroom could use a little spring cleaning for sure!  If only there was a magical classroom cleaning fairy! Speaking of spring cleaning, my Teachers Pay Teachers Wish List is also in need of a little freshening up - it is getting a bit too large to manage (imagine that!).  Luckily for me, a few of my favorite sellers are having a Spring Cleaning Sale!

I am also joining in the sale with 20% off until the end of the month!

5 for Friday March 21 - Vote to Win a Freebie of Your Choice!

  Time to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five For Friday for a look back at our week.

This week we had parent teacher conferences.  I had mentioned in an earlier post about how I have my students lead the conferences and evaluate themselves.

On Monday I had them complete these "report cards" evaluating their own work habits.

They often write funny things on their papers, but this one really cracked me up!  I might have to buy him a tub of sour cream one day!

We also presented our animal reports this week.  They really did a great job!

This little one was even dressed to match her project -love the tights!

We played a game with the counselor this week using special balls that the students passed to each other and then answered the questions under their thumbs.  I have seen this idea before for math facts or comprehension questions - it was a good reminder for me.  I think I will be incorporating this activity into our test prep coming up the next two weeks.

I just absolutely LOVE this picture!  They were having so much fun!

Spring craziness and parent conferences always makes for a rough week - so we decided to indulge in a healthy snack during Daily 5 with a fruit tray.  The students loved it since they don't normally get to eat in class!

Last, but not least- our school is in the running for $10,000 to improve our playground which is in dire need of repairs.  Please take a moment to vote to help us win!  You can vote even if you aren't local, and you can vote once every 24 hours.  Voting ends Sunday!  It is really neck and neck and we would love your help and support!

As an extra incentive, I will give everyone who votes (and leaves a comment below) any item of your choice from my 

TpT store.

 Vote here!  Our school is Fernley Elementary :)

Enjoy your weekend!

Workshop Wednesday - Daily Math Review

I am linking up with
Jivey for Workshop Wednesday! 
Today is all about collaboration and bragging on others.  I knew I had to post about this topic because I am forever indebted to all of the wonderful teacher bloggers and TpT'ers out there who help to make my teaching practice better and better everyday.  I have purchased so many items and used so many ideas from so many wonderful people out there that it is hard to narrow it down to just one or two!

One thing that has been a mainstay and time saver (read life saver) has been
these spiral math reviews
 from Love, Learn, Teach.

I have bought each set separately as she has released them, but you can get
 the whole set here.

I have used them as both a spiral review and as homework.  At the beginning of the year, we used each week in the numerical order.  Then about week 4 or so, I started sending home the first week as an additional review and homework. I love the fact that we have covered geometry and measurement all year long (along with fractions, multiplication, division, etc.). I also love the fact that I haven't had to make them myself!

Roll and Retell - Building Summarizing, Communication, and Writing Skills

Our principal has really been encouraging us to add more writing into our daily lesson plans.  "They should be writing all day long" he tells us.  The research is there to back him up.

I bumped into this Roll and Retell  page from Fun In First on Pinterest awhile back and finally figured out how to add it to our learning day.

I printed and laminated four copies of the Roll and Retell page to hand out to each of my four table groups.

After a round of Daily 5 I handed them out. I also gave each table one die.  Each student at the table took turns rolling the die and then answering the question based on the number they rolled.  They each used the individual book they were reading to answer the questions.  I felt like it would be a great advertisement for new books for each child to read when they were done with the one they were working on.  I also knew it would be great oral practice BEFORE they started writing.

Once they had a chance to talk about what they were going to write, I set the timer for 5 minutes and let them write.  Then we shared our responses.

Here are a few of their responses.

I had so much success with this activity with my students, that I created versions that cover the standards for 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades.

There are 6 different Roll and Respond Sheets that cover all of the Second Grade ELA Common Core Standards for both literary and informational text.

There are 5 different Roll and Respond Sheets that cover all of the Third Grade ELA Common Core Standards for both literary and informational text.

There are 7 different Roll and Respond Sheets that cover all of the Fourth Grade ELA Common Core Standards for both literary and informational text.

Before you go, head on over to our giveaway page to enter our current giveaway!  Every week one lucky winner gets a $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card!

Dr. Susan Hall, literacy leader and founder of 95 Percent Group, mentions this Roll and Retell Activity as a Reading Comprehension Game that Students Will Want to Play Over and Over!  Check it out for the other ideas there as well!


What have you tried in your classroom lately?  Link up with Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried It Tuesday and share!

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