My favorite way to make test prep manageable is to approach it like I do writing workshops, by beginning with targeted mini-lessons.  First, I like to take a particular skill (such as parallel structure) and have students complete a mini-lesson through sentence imitation.  Then, I have students practice using the skill by applying it to reading and writing before we do any overt test prep. After teaching a lesson around a specific skill, we then work through 2-3 multiple-choice style questions that all involve the targeted skill from the mini-lesson.

Breaking standardized tests down into targeted skills makes it more manageable for students rather than working through practice tests that assess a myriad of different skills.  It’s just too much to consume all at once. So, it basically comes down to teaching a skill just like you teach all other skills– scaffold it, model it, and transfer it to a new situation. 

The students are working so hard to succeed ! This Friday will be a VERY well deserved " Fun Friday"

Math:

We are on our last unit for place value for this school year. Students will observe each number and insert commas based on the place value containing numbers up to hundred millions. 

Homework: Spelling / Reading Comprehension packets - each page is labeled with the day it is to be completed. 

Math: Place value worksheet each night 

Happy 11th Birthday Tristan Sutton !