3 rd Grade SOL Parent Night

What are SOLs? “Virginia supports teaching and learning through the statewide system of support and accountability for the commonwealth’s public schools and school divisions.” “The commonwealth sets rigorous academic standards, known as the Standards of Learning (SOL), and measures achievement through annual SOL tests.” “The system provides schools, school divisions, and the Virginia Department of Education with critical data to inform the development and implementation of effective instructional strategies and best practices.” (Virginia Department of Education)

What is tested? English = 47 Reading comprehension of fiction and nonfiction text Word analysis Grammar Vocabulary Writing Math = 50 Number & Number Sense Computation & Estimation Measurement Geometry Probability & Statistics Patterns, Functions, & Algebra /sol/standards_docs/english/index.s html /sol/standards_docs/mathematics/i ndex.shtml

What is tested? Social Studies = 50 Cumulative (Grades K-3) History Includes people and events studied in K, 1, and 2 also! Geography Includes places and terms studied in K, 1, and 2 also! Economics Civics Science = 50 Cumulative (Grades K-3) Scientific Investigation Force, Motion, & Energy Matter Life Processes Living Systems Earth/Space Systems Earth Patterns & Cycles Resources standards_docs/history_socialscience/in dex.shtml ndards_docs/science/index.shtml

How are SOLs tested? Online testing can be practiced at school using ePAT. You may also use ePAT from Pearson. Download launcher then download tests. This year’s tests will be more rigorous than the examples available for preview and practice. 2FvaPALPLayout&cid= &pagename=vaPALPWrapper

When are the SOL tests? TestDate Reading Part 1: Tuesday, May 21 AM Part 2: Wednesday, May 22 AM Social Studies Wednesday, May 15 AM Math Part 1: Monday, June 3 PM Part 2: Tuesday, June 4 AM Science Tuesday, May 28, PM

Scoring A perfect score is 600 A score of 500 or more is Advance Proficiency A score of 400 – 499 is Proficiency A score below 400 is failing Students who do not pass are put on our “watch list” and receive extra support

How do I help my child prepare for the SOL tests? Save and review all study guides Read with your child every night and listen as s/he reads to you. Ask questions about what s/he has read. Practice automatic recall of all basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Measure length, volume, & weight. Count coins and make change. Practice telling time on analog clocks.

How do I help my child prepare for the SOL tests? Online resources WPES Internet Resources link: Jefferson Lab – Math and Science SOL released test questions SOLPass – Science and Social Studies games including grades K - 3 (Password: porter) Rockingham County Schools Resources site th.htm th.htm STAR (Suffolk Teaching Activities and Resources): all subjects Collection of links to other sites:

The Night Before the Test Help your child relax. Too much pressure often causes them to “freeze” during the test. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat a healthy breakfast. Nutri-grain bars are provided as a snack before each test. They are not meant to be a substitute for breakfast. Do no “cram” the night before the test. Students do not retain information well this way and often leads to confusion.

Test Taking Tips Highlight, underline, and/or circle important information such as names, date, key words Predict the answer BEFORE reading the answer choices. “X” out any answers you know are incorrect. If the directions say to read – READ Carefully read over and analyze charts, graphs, maps, and diagrams. They provide important information.

Technology Enhanced Items (TEI) Fill in the Blank Items (FIB) – students enter digits, symbols, possible words Bar Graphing Items - students use data to create a graph, they “pull up” bars Hot Spot Items – student will be directed to choose a certain number of answers or all that apply Drag and Drop Items – contain “bays” the place to which the “draggers” are dropped

Summary We explain, model, guide, and practice all Virginia Standards of Learning with your child. Thank you for being an active part of your child’s education as you review and practice. Your child’s success depends on his attitude as well as aptitude. We have Super Outstanding Learners!