Kat, You have given me some FABULOUS ideas for test preparation. I love the idea of integrating the questions into the normal read-aloud time. So you have the kids themselves think of a question type (main idea, for example) that fits with what you just read, and then *they* create the answer choices? That's a great metacognitive approach. And you are so right that the important part of test prep is the reviewing and discussing.
More questions: Do you do a formal test prep unit at all? Do you have a list of the question types (summarizing, inferencing, etc.) and try to make sure they are all touched upon? I ask because I have a Time for Kids kit with twelve types of skills and graphic organizers for each one, and I am a little overwhelmed thinking about teaching all of them formally. I love the idea of sliding the questions in under the radar, but I would be afraid of not teaching all the skills fully enough. (I'm a newish newbie!) Anyone else have input on test prep?? ~Maggie 5th/TX Kat's original response: Hi, The best way I've seen "Test Prep" handled in a reading workshop format is to make a chart of possible question stems that might be used to test the skill that you are teaching. (Example for inference: "Why did ________ do _______?") The chart should grow slowly as the year goes on. Spend a little time (5 min) at the end of read aloud or mini-lessons brainstorming a question using one of the stems that relates to whatever text and skill you are on. Finally, brainstorm possible answers, making sure that the kids create at least one answer that is tricky or difficult to decide. You-or better yet a student- can chart the question and answers using the test format and leave the tracks of learning hanging where the kids can refer back to them. I think doing this a little throughout the year results in learning that is beneficial to the student and still gives them the specific test taking skills that they need to do well on the test. I'm a TX teacher also so I know there is a lot of pressure to do the reading passages. When you use the passages to prepare them the only beneficial part is when you review and discuss what they did and help them see what they should have done. This method is more engaging and skips straight to the review and discuss. As you go on you could even use some cooperative learning strategies and have groups of kids create questions for the rest of the class as a game. It works for me - I haven't had a student fail yet, and I get the kids that are well below grade level at the beginning of the year. Kat 3rd/TX -- Maggie Dillier "If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
