2015 STAAR Parent INFORMATION NIGHT 3rd GraDE

Contact Information Mathematics: Ms. Howard showard1@houstonisd.org Reading: Mrs. Simpson ksimpso2@houstonisd.org

AGENDA Review Testing Dates Tips and Strategies Incentives Resources Questions Survey

What is STAAR? Stands for “State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness” Tests skills and objectives the state expects all students to master to show readiness for the next grade level.

Promotion standards: 3rd grade STAAR Reading STAAR Math 4 hour time limit for each test

Dates to remember: April 21st - Math STAAR April 22nd- Reading STAAR March 11th- Reading Mock STAAR March 12th- Math Mock STAAR April 21st - Math STAAR April 22nd- Reading STAAR

What happens to prepare for the test? Spring Training Tutorials geared toward specific needs of students All students attend a group. Weekly assessments are given on Friday covering objectives practiced and taught during tutorials.

Prepare for the test (cont.) Other Preparations Small group lessons taught in class STAAR practice homework

What can I do as a parent to help my child prepare? Review homework with students Read and ask questions Visit the TEA (Texas Education Agency) website for STAAR question examples The TEA website address to view the STAAR questions is http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/

Reading Test April 22nd Test is challenging. Includes many higher level thinking questions requiring greater use of reading strategies and finding evidence to support answers.

Reading Strategies 1. Write the genre (Fiction or Nonfiction) 2. Notes (5 words or less) 3. Highlight important words in the question.

Strategies Continued 4. Next to each question, write the paragraph # where you found the answer. (P#) 5 . Highlight the answer in the paragraph and write the question number next to it. (Q#)

Reading Test Example Question

How can I Help my Child with Reading at Home? Refer to Handout

Math Test April 21st Word problem questions require multiple steps to solve. Math test taking strategies taught to students include: UPSE Problem Solving Strategies Please emphasize to your child to show work for every problem. Students should go back and check!!

U.P.S.E Strategy Read! Read, Read the problem. Imagine/Picture what you are reading! Underline the question or statement Reread the problem, one sentence at a time. What will you do (+,-,x,÷) Look for clues Put a box around important vocabulary Plan it out Work out the computation CHECK your work

Math question Example ( +, - ) 164 +56 220 243 medium cups (Subtract 79 from 243 =__) (Add __ to 56 = answer) 243 medium cups 243- 79 = large cups Large cups + 56= small cups   There are 220 small cups 164 +56 220

How can you Help with Math… Study facts at least 20 minutes a night (memorization) Check over homework for accuracy (show the work) While working independently, pace yourself (approximately 4 minutes per question)

STAAR Olympics Incentives: Raffles (end of the week) Recess Ice cream sundae Party (Mock STAAR 75% passing) Pizza-Fun House (April STAAR: 80% passing)

Day of the Test How will the classroom look? There will be no visuals to aid students. All posters, word walls, and even the calendar will be covered or removed.

Day of the Test Facilitate and monitor What is the teacher’s role in the classroom? Facilitate and monitor Make sure students are working independently Keep test materials secure

Day of the Test What is the student’s role? They are to use strategies learned in class. They are to work quietly and do their best. They have 4 hours to complete the test. When 4 hours have passed, we will collect all tests even if a student is not finished.

What can my child do when he/she is finished? Day of the Test What can my child do when he/she is finished? Read a book. Stay quiet so others still working can do their best.

Questions???

Dates to remember: April 21st - Math STAAR test April 22nd - Reading STAAR test

Please complete The short survey Thank you for coming!