1. Welcome to Coffee and Tea with the Principal Workshop at PS 21 Topic: Test Preparation
March 20th, 2018
P.S. 21 Q
Facilitated by: Jennifer Narciso
Marianne Weiser
Jackie Vetrano

2. State Test Information: Dates
Students in third through fifth grade will take the NYS ELA and Mathematics Assessment.
Fourth grade students will take the NYS Science Assessment.
Testing Dates
ELA State Exam: April 11th and 12th
NYS Math Exam: May 1st and 2nd
Science Exam: June 4th (written exam) lab portion will follow. Schedule TBD
Spring Recess March 30th-April 6th (please avoid extending your family vacation).

3. Timing Tests are untimed
Students may work for as long as they need, as long as they are working productively
Accommodations will be made for all students

4. Types of Questions - ELA
Multiple Choice
Students read a passage and answer multiple choice questions about the passage. Questions could be factual, inferential, checking for meaning, or interpretative.
Short Answer
Students write a short response, a few sentences with key details from the story.
Extended Response
Students write a longer essay, often comparing two passages. These questions will sometimes compare characters, situations, or settings. Students must use evidence based from the texts to support their answers.
Samples from: and-mathematics-state-test-questions

5. 3rd & 4th Grade Format

6. 5th Grade Format

7. Advice for Students - ELA

8. Sample Multiple Choice Question
GETTING A BETTER LOOK
6 After the family trip to Pennsylvania, a friend lent Neil a pair of binoculars. Neil went to the roof of his building and looked at the night sky through the binoculars. He was amazed to see craters-large, bowl-shaped holes-on the moon. He wanted to see more. When he was eleven, his parents bought him a telescope.
7 Soon Neil wanted a bigger telescope to learn more about astronomy. But a more powerful telescope cost two hundred dollars. Neil's parents didn't have a lot of extra money. So Neil started a business walking dogs for people who lived in his building.
8 He walked several dogs three times a day. Most days, he earned five dollars. He saved his money until he had enough to pay for half of the telescope he wanted. His parents paid for the other half.
What do paragraphs 6 through 8 show about Neil's parents?
A They work hard to give Neil everything he wants.
B They are supportive of Neil's interests. C They set good examples for Neil to follow. D They want Neil to become a scientist.

9. Sample Short Answer Question

10. Sample Extended Response Question

11. Types of Questions - Math
Multiple-Choice (1-point)
Students select the correct response from four answer choices.
Short-response (2-point)
Students write an answer to an open-ended question and may be required to show their work
Extended-response (3-point)
Students may be required to explain, in words, how they arrived at their answers.
Released Questions for the Grades 3–8 Mathematics Tests are available on the EngageNY website (

12. Mathematics Test Format

13. Advice for Students - Mathematics

14. Mathematical Tools
No Calculators. Students are provided with the following materials for the test:
3rd Grade - Ruler
4th Grade - Ruler & Protractor
5th Grade - Ruler, Protractor & Reference Sheet

15. Sample Math Question Multiple choice
Sample from 3rd grade NYS released questions

16. Short Answer Sample Math Question
Sample from 4th grade NYS released questions

17. Sample Math Question Extended Response
Sample from 5th grade NYS released questions

18. Ways to help your child at home
Provide a quiet space for homework. Make sure supplies are available – paper, scissors, glue, crayons, pens, pencils, etc.
Set up routines and reinforce good habits. – homework time, reading time, etc.
Encourage your child to read to you. Have books and magazines around the house.
Visit your local library. Borrow books and magazines in different genres.
Be a good listener – ask your child about the activities they are doing at school.
Reinforce the skills and concepts your child is learning at school, e.g. math skills through cooking and shopping, writing notes, etc.
Give your child as many different experiences as possible – take trips to museums, the zoo, shows, etc.

19. Test Taking Tips Encourage your child to do their personal best.
Make sure they get a good night’s sleep.
Make sure they eat breakfast the day of the test.
Make the morning of the test days pleasant.
Remind your child to dress comfortably, perhaps in layers so they can adjust to the temperature in the room.
Ensure that your child makes it to school on time.
If you child wears glasses, please make sure they have them.
Don’t be anxious about your child’s test scores. Although it is important, it is also important not to increase test-taking anxiety.
Remain positive!

20. Mindfulness In Schools
In schools, mindfulness programs help students with two skills that are fundamental to learning: paying attention and regulating emotion.
Research indicates that the benefits of mindfulness for students include:
better focus and concentration
increased sense of calm
decreased stress and anxiety
improved impulse control
increased self-awareness
more skillful responses to difficult emotions
improvement in executive functioning
increased empathy and understanding of others
development of conflict resolution skills
Ask your child about our daily mindfulness exercises at PS 21!

21. Starting a Personal Mindfulness Practice
A daily practice can consist of intentional moments for:
Mindful breathing –seated
Mindful listening, walking; mindful movement
Body scan practice
Mindful awareness throughout your day (where is my attention?)

22. Online Resources ELA: Compass Learning www.learningodyssey.com
Readworks
Raz-Kids
Newsela
Math:
Go- Math
Khan Academy
IXL Math

23. Additional Links
ela-and-mathematics-state-test-questions
Resources/default.htm