Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Testing Crunch Time

Testing mode is just around the corner for many students. Many upper graders have gone through the endless routines of drills either in reading or math.  Before I began the famous testing countdown I knew that drilling wasn’t the way to go. From pastexperience, I know a good foundation and solid instruction is what brings high test result. But, what happens to the students who still receive solid and quality instruction throughout the year and are still struggling? This is the question that ended my happy teaching week.

As a teacher, I know I have given my best and pushed for higher thinking. When I reflect on my practices in the classroom I can say with confidence that everyone has received research instruction and high expectations were expected from everyone. As a class we have built a community of readers and writers who support each other and have learned to work in harmony. However, there are still a handful of students whose progress has not been enough to put them at grade level.
So what do we do with these kids? Do we give up? Of course not! We encourage them and continue to teach till the last minute. As a result, I resort to two of my go to strategies for those pesky standardized test.


click here to get All About Question & Answer Relationship (QAR) in PDF.


Click here to get All About Reciprocal Reaching in PDF file.
What are your go to strategies during crunch time?

5 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you talked about reciprocal teaching. It fits in perfectly with our reading intervention program (Soar to Success)and is a great way to reinforce what the kids are practicing in their time away for extra support. I'm glad I found your blog!

    Jennifer
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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    1. Jennifer thanks for the comment. I am so happy you will be implementing strategic strategies. They have helped my class very much.

      Vanessa

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  2. Well, this is the 1st year that I've actually tried to use best practices (strategic teaching), and I'm teaching history so we don't have state testing on that! :)

    However, I think that a couple of weeks before the test I'm going to practice the RAPS method of responding to text with them.
    R-restate
    A-answer
    P-proof from the text
    S-summary

    I'm thinking this will be right there with the new common core standards for english-which we are implementing next year. :)

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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    1. Shannon thanks for your comment. I am so happy you mention RAPS. I haven't heard of it till you mention it. I must say this took me on a while chase online looking for information. Love learning new things :)

      Vanessa

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  3. I LOVE learning new things, too. It's almost an addiction. :)

    Shannon

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