Hello Families,
As the CRCT approaches, our students are reviewing strategies for successful testing. We have been using our Promethean Board daily, and have reviewed both links to the Garrison Mill website, (found on the Web Links Notebook page) as well as practice tests in the computer lab. We have also worked in partnerships and in the whole group to review wise approaches to selecting the best answer for each question. These include:
* Eliminating obviously incorrect answers and focusing on the options which are left
* Being wary of choices with the words always, never, and none because these words are rarely 100% correct
* Reading questions before passages so that one knows what key information is to be questioned
*Once math testing has begun, use the provided scratch paper to capture any facts or formulas which are on one's mind; in this way, focus can be best directed to each problem to be done rather than recalling a mix of data; remember that showing one's work is a state requirement
* Use an analog watch and reset it each time a new testing period begins at the beginning of the hour
* Focus on relationships between words when vocabulary analogies are given
* Reading around unfamiliar words for context clues; eliminate any obviously incorrect vocabulary choices
* Remembering fact families to aid in computation
* Connecting related concepts and historical information (in the 1920's, was watching TV really a favorite pasttime?)
* Connecting personal experiences to questions in order to make correct answer choices (Are you able to seperate your trail mix into its seperate parts without requiring fancy scientific equipment? Maybe this is why it is called trail "mix" and not trail "compound")
Along with these strategies, we have been reminding students to keep to the habits which have served them well throughout the year. These include:
*Prompt attendance each day (try to come a little early, if possible); tardy students will not be allowed to enter rooms once a testing period has begun
*Getting adequate rest the night before the test (rather than the morning of the test); avoid late night review prior to the next day's test
*Eating a healthy (and normal-sized breakfast) each morning of each test
*Exercising and relaxing with friends or family in the afternoons of testing days; recovery time after intense focus is essential to mental sharpness
*Dressing in layers (sweatshirt, sweater, or jacket) to accommodate changes in room temperature
Fifth Graders will take the tests in this order:
Reading-Wednesday, April 23
Language Arts-Thursday, April 24
Math-Friday, April 25
Monday-Science, April 28
Tuesday-Social Studies, April 29
Having spent this year working with our impressive students, I believe each of them is capable of great success on the CRCT. Thank you for your ongoing support this year!
Sincerely,
Alex McGill
