Questions & Test Preparation
What is state testing?
Beth Williams: State testing is comprehensive testing of material required according to
our state’s curriculum for math and language
arts. The students also take a standardized science test, though this doesn’t affect a school’s
“rating.”
What are the standards?
Brennan Hall: The standards are what the
state requires us to teach over the course of the
year. An example of a standard for this year is
to “demonstrate computational fluency with
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals and fractions.”
When does it take place?
Beth: This year, our students are taking the
tests in May, a few weeks before school ends.
Up until now, testing has usually been after
spring break in March or April. I am looking
forward to the later date as it gives us more
time to prepare the students.
How long does it take?
Brennan: It will take students about four
days to complete all parts of the ARMT+ and
about 2-2 ½ hours each day. We have testing
in the morning and then run a shortened
schedule in the afternoon where students go to
all of their classes.
What types of questions
are on the test?
Beth: Each test has a set time limit, though
these vary by subject and object of the test.
The number of questions varies as well. The
format is multiple choice, short answer and
open-ended response where there could be
more than one correct answer, as long as students provide logic and explanation.
When does test prep begin?
Beth: We math teachers prepare our students
from day one of the school year. While we
don’t refer to the tests specifically with the
students during our lessons, we develop our
lessons in such a way as to expose students
to the types of questions they’ll see. We want
them to get used to how these questions will
be asked so that it’s almost second nature.
How else do you prepare
students?
Beth: During the year, we give students a
formula sheet much like the one provided
with the test. They keep it in their notebooks
and are encouraged to use it whenever they
want, which shows them see how helpful it
can be and what information it holds. We
also practice how to properly use a calculator
and a ruler exactly like those provided for the
test. Doing this well before testing takes the
pressure off of figuring out how these tools
work and when to use them.
Explain how you ensure
students understand
fundamental concepts.
Brennan: We ask open-ended questions
and require students to show their work and
explain their reasoning. Students work in
groups on different assignments so that
they can explain their reasoning and help
each other understand different concepts.
We try to make all lessons as interactive and
engaging as possible so they will remember
the concepts. We usually introduce concepts,
allow individual practice time on homework
and then work together on assignments to
make sure they’ve grasped them.
How do you prepare in the
weeks leading up to testing?
Beth: In the weeks immediately before the
tests are given, we give the students practice
tests. This is for several reasons: to refresh
their memories on material taught early in
the year; to get them used to taking the test
(bubbling in, providing good short-answer
and open-ended responses, etc.); and to give
them test-taking strategies (eliminate unnecessary words, equations they can plug-in
answers to find the correct one, eliminate
illogical answer choices, etc.).
www.potentialmagazine.com
Our
Teachers
Beth Williams
Seventh grade math
Fifth year teaching
Brennan Hall
Sixth grade math
Second year teaching
A
BRIGHT
IDEA!
A little testing
“pick-me-up”
from mom or dad
Beth: Parents can get their kids a
school-appropriate book or magazine
for their child to read after testing.
Students aren’t allowed to do anything
but sit quietly while tests are out, but
can read once tests have been taken up
in their classroom.
Surprise your child with a new
favorite book or activity to kick off
testing week. It not only shows that
you care, but shows that state testing is
worth caring about!
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