Parent Informational Session NJASK & Terra Nova Parent Informational Session Memorial School March 14, 2011 Miss Kristy Bates

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” Emily Buchwald

May 4: Reading/Language Assessment Schedule Grade 2 May 3: TerraNova Math May 4: Reading/Language Grades 3-5 May 9-10: ILA May 11-12: Math May 13: Grade 4 Sci.

Information Standards based assessment Students are compared to a standard, not to each other Partially Proficient, Proficient, Advanced Proficient

What will be on the NJ ASK? Language Arts Literacy (LAL) 1. Writing: speculate story ~ 25 minutes 2. Reading: narrative MC, OE questions ~ 50 minutes 3. Listening/reading: poem 4. Writing: explain (poem-linked prompt) composition ~ 25 minutes 5. Reading: everyday text (nonfiction) MC, OE questions ~ 25 minutes

Mathematics Multiple choice questions Short constructed response questions (showing and explaining their work) Long constructed response questions (a longer explanation of work is required)

What will be on the test? Grade 2- TerraNova 2 Math sections (30 minutes each) 2 Reading/Language sections (41 and 34 minutes each)

Writing Assessments Speculative Explanatory/ writing from a poem Persuasive

What is speculative writing? Students will be given a brief scenario. Students will use that scenario as a springboard for writing a story, drawing on stories they have read as well as their own experiences to develop ideas for their stories.

Speculative Writing Sample The young girl spent an hour packing her backpack. She checked her list one more time before falling into bed. She had remembered everything. Now all she had to do was wait for morning. The young girl wondered whether the rest of the group was as excited as she was. When her alarm rang at 6 a.m., she jumped out of bed, pulled on her clothes, and ran down the stairs with her backpack. Write a story about what you think the young girl is about to experience.

2 Formats for Assessing Explanatory/Expository Writing One will introduce a topic in a brief verbal prompt and ask students to develop a composition about the topic. One will begin with a poem that introduces a topic. That topic is elaborated further by a brief verbal prompt that students will use as a basis for writing their composition.

Explanatory Prompts Explanatory prompts are based on topics familiar to students and will ask them to describe, discuss, explain, or analyze some aspect of the topic. Students will be able to draw on their own experience and what they know to develop their ideas for their composition.

Explanatory Prompt Sample #1 Most people have a special activity or hobby that they enjoy. Some people collect things while others like to read or play games. What activity do you like to do? Write a composition describing what you enjoy doing?

Explanatory Prompt Sample #2 Writing From a Poem If I were a hawk, I would taste the tips of storm clouds and clutch lightning bolts in my great claws. I'd fold my wings and dive into forests green as the Atlantic with the wind polishing my feathers, and then flap away again. I'd fly through a hundred cloud-patched sunsets, and hammer sungold to the pines with my curved beak. I'd name the whole sky mine and call aloud to claim it, circling the world till night eased me down on my nest. An umbrella of stars over my shoulders, I'd sleep without fear or nightmare in the dark if I were a hawk If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? What abilities would you like the most and why? Explain your answer.

Persuasive Prompt Sample In order to save money, your principal is thinking about canceling all field trips for the remainder of the year. Write an essay persuading him or her to allow students to continue attending field trips. Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.

Reading Students will read a passage Students will answer multiple choice questions Students will answer an open-ended question

What can parents do to improve their child's skills? Have your child read each night. This will build reading stamina. Read to your children. Have grand conversations about the text. Question the information being presented. Talk about how the information relates to your own experiences.

What can parents do to improve their child's skills? Ask your child to tell you something about his/her book other than a summary- what else did s/he do while reading? Take pride in your child’s writing. Post it on the refrigerator.

Thank you… For getting involved in your child’s learning! Your involvement is crucial to your child’s success.

Some inspiration for you http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/animalschool/animalschool.swf

Questions and Answers