And the results are in...

June 15 is the magical day for OAA results.  


My principal e-mailed the results this afternoon, and though we didn't meet as many indicators as we had hoped, I am still pleased with the results.  My building struggles with meeting the OAA indicators.  We have increased our performance greatly over the past few years.  It's no secret that my students face a lot of challenges in their lives, and school is not always high on their priority list.  We have a supportive building principal and a highly motivated staff and we are all working together to get our students where they should be.  


Though overall as a grade level we did not meet the indicator, I had so many students increase in their scores that I can't be upset.  I had so many students who worked so hard throughout the year that seeing their passing score literally just made me want to cry!  It took all I had to not run up the street to the grocery store where one of my students' grandmother works to tell her the good news!  Our OAA incentive this year is a summer pool party for all the students who either passed the OAA or increased their score by 15 points from last year.  I am so excited to see all my students and tell them great job!  


In other good news, our third grade met both indicators in Reading & Math!  I'm so thrilled for those teachers, and it gives me a lot of hope for next year!  

Mints-Good for the Brain or the Breath?

This morning a student asked a fellow teacher, "Why do all the teachers think we have bad breath?"  The teacher asked, "What do you mean?"  and the student said, "They've all been passing out mints a lot!"  

As most of you probably know, mints are supposedly useful for recalling information and improving brain function.  I'm not even sure that research is accurate, but at my school, we need every little bit of help we can get.  So this week during the OAA, we've been giving the students mints while they take their test.  

I guess some of the teachers didn't explain the mint theory...

Test Day-It's Here!

It is a cold, rainy, dreary day in Columbus, Ohio.  I know May only comes around once a year, but I'm pretty sure we're supposed to see the sun and feel it's warmth.  It's one of those days when you just want to stay in your bed underneath the covers and watch all your favorite shows saved on your TiVo.  


But, we can't.  It's Test Day.  As I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning, I was thinking about my students.  I was sincerely hoping the weather was not going to affect their mood.  Especially for the kids at my school, but I'm guessing like many kids, if one thing goes wrong for them in the morning, it can ruin their whole day.  


The class and I talked yesterday about the importance of getting a good night's rest and eating a good breakfast.  A teacher across the hall suggested her fifth graders take a shower in the morning because it can revitalize you and make you feel good about yourself.  As I'm in the midst of the chaos of arriving to school later than normal (..you know, that whole staying in bed under the covers thing), signing that ever-so-lovely paper saying you're not going to help your students cheat, getting the test booklets and snacks ready, moving desks, and sharpening pencils, I'm hearing whispers.  


"I ate pancakes and sausage and eggs this morning!"


"I took a shower this morning...it really does make you feel good!"  (I literally laughed out loud at this one.  What a novel idea fifth graders...)


"I went to bed at eight o'clock last night."  (whispers from another student)  "Yeah, my mom made me."  


It was quite amusing hearing all of these things in the hallway before school started, and it definitely made my morning feel not quite as hectic.  Why was I all worked up?  I'm not the one taking this test.  They are.  And they're fine.  


The bell rings, and here comes the quiet line of test-takers down the hallway.  The third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers stand outside their door and clap for them, chanting "Do your best on the test!"  The students transformed into rock stars.  Their faces lit up, they were high-fiving the teachers, and they were confident.  At that point, the weather outside was all but forgotten.  

Who is Miss Malarkey?

Have you heard of Miss Malarkey?  Miss Malarkey is a character in the book Testing Miss Malarkey.  Her students are getting ready to take a very important test, "The Test," and she is very nervous about it.  

If you are a teacher in a high-stakes testing grade level, I'm sure at some point in time you have thought to yourself "I am Miss Malarkey!"  I know I certainly have.  I read this book to my class today.  We begin our state testing tomorrow, and I thought it would be a fun way to discuss "The Test" and the anxious feelings that comes along with it.  


So who else wants to admit it...who is Miss Malarkey??  

Testing Anchors

Testing week is upon us....


I know a lot of people have differing views on testing anchors.  I believe there is a lot to be said for them.  I was actually surprised when I read a book recently that was very anti-anchors, if you will.  Do I teach to the test?  No.  Do I teach test taking strategies?  Absolutely.  I have to.  I have nine and ten year old students being asked to take a very tricky test.  My students need strategies to help them think about what they are reading and what the question is asking.  


I have found that my students can use reading strategies beautifully, but they don't relate those strategies when taking practice tests.  Check for understanding is a reading strategy we have used since the first day of school.  They practice it when reading with partners, and  by writing down what they read on sticky notes.  When I told them to check for understanding in the margins of their test, it was like a lightbulb went off in their heads...  Oh yeah, that makes sense!  This was the same when I told them to back up and reread when they don't know an answer to the question.  You would think that is common sense, but it really is not.  When they can't remember what they read in a chapter book, they use that strategy, but again, when it comes to "The Test," they need to be taught and reminded of these things.  

I created a "Remember your Testing Anchors" checklist that I am going to laminate and tape to each student's desk.  Since it doesn't have any actual content, I believe it is OK for the students to have on their desk while taking their achievement test.   Of course, I will double check with my principal, just to be sure!  


If you want your own copy of the testing anchors you can download it here!

Letters for Success

Our School Literacy Consultant, who is someone I seriously admire, suggested last week that we as a school write letters to our third, fourth, and fifth graders telling them good luck on the Ohio Achievement Assessments.  


Our Spring Break was scheduled at the most inconvenient time this year.  We vote on our schedule a few years in advance.  We don't know the testing window when we vote.  When the two week testing window opens, we will be on Spring Break.  Therefore, our students have to take the OAA the week return from break.  I don't even think inconvenient is the appropriate word for it.  


So, taking our SLC's advice, all the teachers in our school have decided to "divide and conquer" our list of 240 third, fourth, and fifth graders and write letters to mail to them over break.  I hope the letters will put a smile on my students' faces, give them the confidence to do well, and serve as a gentle reminder that they will be welcomed back by this looming test.  

Easy as PIE!

It is crunch time before the OAA and I am doing some review of frequently tested indicators this week.  I decided to do a mini lesson on Author's Purpose.  My favorite way to teach Author's Purpose is to teach the students that it is "Easy as PIE!"  


Get it?
    Persuade
    Inform
    Entertain


I created a Smart Board lesson, complete with the "Magic Eraser" to reveal answers.  I haven't used this technique much this year and the kids loved it.  I also created a Smart Response assessment.  I'm not sure where I originally got the questions for the assessment, so unfortunately I can't give credit where credit is due.  


In celebration of starting my blog, I am going to share my Smart Board file.  You can download it here.


The Smart Response "clickers," as we call them, have been a hidden treasure in our building for two years.  They were kept in their neat little carrying case in our SLC's office just waiting to be used.  We had never received training on them, and I think a lot of the teachers were afraid to use them.  I finally decided to just wing it one day, and I immediately fell in love.  We have since received training, and I have learned how to use them anonymously just to keep the kids engaged during a lesson.  If I had it my way, I would keep the clickers in my room all the time, but I have to share.  They really are "easy as pie" to use!  


I would love to hear how you use clickers in your classroom!