Testing Week

Testing week is here!

This week will be very different than all our other weeks so I wanted to give everyone an idea of what to expect.

First of all there will be NO HOMEWORK all week. Yes, you heard me right - no homework!

The desks have been rearranged for the week and students will be sitting in traditional rows. Any "helpful" posters on the wall that explain anything academically will be covered or taken down.

We will not be starting any new concepts this week. Tomorrow we will continue to review and will also spend some time talking about test-taking strategies and tips. This is the first big standardized test most (if not all) of the students have taken so I want to make sure they are adequately prepared. Already a few students have expressed how nervous and worried they are so I am going to talk about ways to stay calm and put their minds at ease.

Our testing days are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday is the make-up test day.  AIMS testing also begins this week so it is important for us to be quiet in the classroom, in the hallway and at lunch. Students will be expected to behave appropriately during SAT 10 testing and there will be little leeway for a student that decides to test the limits. We will discuss this thoroughly in class!

First grade students will not participate in SAT 10 and will be in another 1st grade classroom during the testing. Those students will bring a book and some writing materials. They can either read, draw or write quietly in the back of the room or they can participate in what the rest of the class is doing. I have spoken individually with those students already so they know what to expect.

Tips for home...
*Make sure your student gets a good night of sleep the nights before the tests.

*Make sure your student has a good, hearty breakfast that day. We will still be having our morning snack, so send a good one! Fruit, cheese, something with protein - all excellent choices!

*Get to school in plenty of time that day. This is not a good day to miss the bus or arrive at school late. If a student arrives after we have started the testing he or she will not be allowed in the classroom until we are finished and will have to make up the test on Friday with another teacher.

*If your student has a dentist, doctor, etc. appointment on testing days, please reschedule if possible! If a student is dismissed during the day, he or she will not be allowed back in the classroom that day and will have to make up the test on Friday.

*Keep the morning as smooth and stress free as possible.

I think that's everything! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Have a super week!