Although in MN we don't have tests like the ones described here, we too have been discussing and debating the importance of test practice. Although our reading instruction is done through wonderful children's literature and non-fiction text, the learners are tested on short passages -- read 3 paragraphs and answer 5 questions. I hate to admit this to this group, but until now test practice has been our best weapon! A few of us have decided to (buy and) study Test Talk (Greene & Melton) this summer and teach test taking as a genre next year. Are you allowed to break the test into sections? Test/Break/Test Can you speak to someone in your state office? (Dept. of Educ?) We have test-writers who listen to teachers and sometimes make adjustments. I was going to comment on the grade you teach, but frankly the conditions you describe would probably challenge most of US! By the way, does student promotion depend on these results? Or is it like the MN test which is really testing the teachers?
________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Angela Almond Sent: Tue 5/20/2008 2:46 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [MOSAIC] End of Grade Testing Well, we just finished our End of Grade Reading test today. This is the biggie! It was a brand new test. In the past there have always been several very long 2-3 page selections but this year, every single one (eight in all) was that long! We had more kids shut down this year than we have ever had in the past. I know it is a stamina problem. We do Self-Selected Reading for 30 minutes every day so I know these kids can read that long but sitting down to read selection after selection seems to get to them. Any thoughts or suggestions for things I can do to build up their test taking stamina for next year? I really hate giving "practice tests" and try to avoid it at all costs. Is this what I'm going to have to do to prepare them for what they will see on these type of assessments? Any help is appreciated! Angela Hatley Almond Fourth Grade East Albemarle Elementary School _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
