Testing Week Two

This week we finish our state testing.  I thought I would show you a picture of the poster we created with our Endurance and Encouragement slips. (Click here to read the original post about Endurance and Encouragement.  The Encouragement slips here are a Google Doc.)  I am using the poster to cover some of the anchor charts the students can't see while they are testing.

Our testing is going okay.  I tell my students in advance that they will hear me say:
"I'm sorry I can't answer that question." 
"Read the directions to yourself.  I trust you to make a good choice." 
"Make sure you check every page and answer every question."

When we were done testing for the day last Wednesday, one of my students asked if I was back to being their teacher now.  It's a good description of my role.

On an unrelated note, I took some time this weekend to finish two new writing genre units: Writing Historical Fiction and Writing Science Fiction.  They are both available in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Quote of the Week -- April 28, 2013

"None are so empty as those who are full of themselves."
Andrew Jackson

Have a great week,

Free 4 All at All Things Upper Elementary

It's Free 4 All over at All Things Upper Elementary today.  Come link up and also find some resources for grades 3-6.

Science Plan Checklist

Three months ago I shared my Science Experiment Plan that I use with my students to develop their Science Fair Projects.  Science Fair was two months ago and I realized I never shared how I graded the projects.  Click here for the Google Doc version of my checklist for grading science projects.

The above image shows what the checklists look like.  I have them printed four to a page.  I chose to give 0-2 points for each item in the list and I communicated with students and parents how many points translated into a specific grade.

I also have a communication grade for this project, because I required an oral presentation.

Update: I have created a freebie for my Teachers Pay Teachers Store and my Teacher's Notebook Store that contains the forms I use and some directions.

My Tribute to E. L. Konigsburg

I am sorry to report that one of my favorite authors is gone.  E. L. Konigsburg who wrote From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler has passed away.

I loved her books growing up, and I currently own a class set of "Mixed-up Files" to share with my students.  If you aren't familiar with the story, a brother and sister run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan.  They investigate a mystery of a small statue that may have been created by Michelangelo.

This book captured my imagination because I loved mysteries and I loved being independent.  (Those who know me in real life can attest to this.)



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Testing This Week

This week we begin our state testing.  Washington State fourth graders spend a day each in reading and math.  They spend two days writing first a narrative and then an expository piece.

At this point our state does not use these scores to evaluate teachers.  I know this makes me less stressed and therefore my students are less stressed.

I don't overemphasize the tests in my teaching.  I want my students to do well.  I look at this as an opportunity to teach them how to take standardized tests.  They are not going away.

Quote of the Week -- April 21, 2013

"A fool must now and then be right, by chance."
 William Cowper

Have a great week,