1. STAAR Night 4 th Grade Justin Elementary

2. The Tests The Tests Writing: Writing: Tuesday, April 1 Tuesday, April 1 Wednesday, April 2 Wednesday, April 2 Math: Tuesday, April 23 Math: Tuesday, April 23 Reading: Wednesday, April 24 Reading: Wednesday, April 24

3. Writing The writing test will be given over 2 days. One day will be a narrative composition, and the other day will be expository. Both days will include a grammar/sentence correction multiple choice portion. These 2 days will be averaged together for a final score. Students will have 4 hours to complete each test.

4. Objective Portion Students read passages designed to resemble student writing. Multiple-choice questions about these passages require students to indicate how a particular sentence might be corrected or improved or how the organization or development of a paragraph might be strengthened.

5. Personal Narrative Students will be given a prompt to address. Students will be given a prompt to address. Expected to write an organized paper (BME) which includes details to support the central idea of the story. Expected to write an organized paper (BME) which includes details to support the central idea of the story.

6. Expository This is informational writing. Students will be given a topic, such as “Write about a person who is special to you. Explain what makes that person special”. The idea is to write to EXPLAIN or DESCRIBE. This is not to become a personal narrative type paper. Again students need to have a strong central idea that relates to the prompt, supported by details that are well- organized and well written.

7. Reading Compare and contrast, paired selections Compare and contrast, paired selections Emphasis on character analysis and motivation, inference and theme of selected works. Emphasis on character analysis and motivation, inference and theme of selected works. Inferences Inferences Connections Connections Poetry Poetry Drama Drama

8. Math 48 Questions, multiple choice 48 Questions, multiple choice Operations, Patterns, Geometry, Measurement, Probability Operations, Patterns, Geometry, Measurement, Probability Problem Solving is integrated into the above categories…multiple coded questions Problem Solving is integrated into the above categories…multiple coded questions

9. Sample Math Question Ms. Tillman’s class combined the 14 mathematics textbooks from their classroom with the 14 mathematics textbooks from Mr. Winston’s classroom. If each textbook weighed 1 pound, what is the total weight of the textbooks in ounces? 4 – 6 problems will be griddable.

10. Individualized Math Practice Homework is designed to spiral concepts in order to keep students constantly exposed to concepts. Homework is designed to spiral concepts in order to keep students constantly exposed to concepts. Ask open-ended questions to check your child’s understanding of math problems…it’s a verbal process before even picking up a pencil. Ask open-ended questions to check your child’s understanding of math problems…it’s a verbal process before even picking up a pencil. Create a reasonable statement…I don’t know what the exact answer is but I know this: It has to be …. because…. Create a reasonable statement…I don’t know what the exact answer is but I know this: It has to be …. because….