We've had some crazy schedule days, and I'm afraid this week is no different. Many students were randomly selected to do NAEP testing. This is done every year with fourth graders across the nation. It's a standardized test that allows the nation to get a glimpse at the knowledge and performance of our country's fourth graders. The test has no bearing on grades, report cards, placement, etc., so if your child was selected, please don't worry about how they do. Those who were not selected are with fourth grade teachers (whose classrooms are not being used for testing) to do some extra writing practice.
That brings me to our next schedule change. Our team met with administration who asked us to come up with a plan for in-school tutoring and extensions. We will have a new schedule beginning tomorrow that will continue at least through the end of April. Whether or not it continues after that remains to be seen, but I'll keep you posted. The new schedule is as follows:
7:45-8:35 FIT Groups [Flexible Instructional Time]
(this is the tutoring/extension time)
8:40-9:10 Block 1
9:15-10:00 Special Areas
10:05-10:50 Block 1 continued
10:50-12:05 Block 2
12:05 Lunches begin for fourth grade, still on a rotation, followed by recess
1:00-2:30 Block 3
2:30-2:45 Homeroom and dismissal
- FIT groups will focus only on writing this week and the week after spring break. The STAAR Writing test is March 30 and 31. Following that, the FIT groups will be divided between reading and math. Students will be shifted (only within triads) so that they can work with the teachers they know. They will be grouped based on TEKS they still need to master, so it is possible the groups will shift often. The writing teachers will plan for the writing, reading teachers for reading, and math teachers for math. Lessons planned will be appropriate for each child's needs. **If your child is highly prepared and ready for testing, he or she will be doing extension activities. In this way, we feel it will be a good use of everyone's time. On a side note, I believe we will follow a similar schedule beginning Week 2 of next year. This is how 5th grade organizes their day as well, so it should make for a smooth transition.
- Our focus for the next two weeks will be about 90% writing and 10% social studies, as we enter "crunch" time before the STAAR test. Just so you know, "crunch time" is only a phrase I type in this blog; I don't talk about the test a lot in class, and I don't change the emphasis in my voice or stress the students out about it. It's just a test. Some people do very well on testing, others...not so much. I belonged to the latter group. I did not test well, and I had test anxiety. Guess what! I still graduated from college and received a Master's degree. Your kids will be just fine, and I don't want them to worry needlessly. That doesn't help anyone!
- I will email some pictures this week of graphic organizers we have been using this year. If you want to review with your children, this might help you engage your child in conversation.
- Please check out the Upcoming Dates page.