4 th Grade Parent Night

1. 4th Grade Parent Night April 19, 2012 Baker, Butterfield, Camacho, Palacio

2. State Testing • State testing that occurs from 2nd grade through High School. • Happens in May every year. • 4th and 7th have Writing in March • Objective: to assess your child’s learning of grade level standards.

3. State Testing at Los Amigos • CST-California Star Testing • Writing • Language Arts and Math • Science in 5th, History and Social Studies in 8th • STS-Spanish Version of State Testing • Only for those students identified as English Learners • Does not include the Writing • Aprenda • Spanish test for all students. • Reading, Writing, Spelling, Vocabulary, Math

4. Student Test Taking Strategies • Try to maintain a positive attitude while preparing for the test and during the test • Exercising for a few days before the test will help reduce stress. • Get a good night's sleep before the test. • Show up to class early so you won't have to worry about being late.

5. Student Test Taking Strategies • Stay relaxed, if you begin to get nervous take a few deep breaths slowly to relax yourself and then get back to work. • Don't worry about how fast other people finish their test; just concentrate on your own test. • Focus on the question at hand. Don't let your mind wander on other things.

6. Parent Test Taking Strategies • If you are anxious about your child's test, it's ok but try to keep cool around your child, you don't want them to get anxious about their tests too. • Encourage your child to do well but don't pressure him/her. You may stress him/her out. It is important for your child to stay relaxed for the test. • Keep a positive attitude about tests.

7. Parent Test Taking Strategies • Make sure that your child gets enough sleep on the night before the test. • Ensure that your child eats a healthy breakfast and avoid heavy foods that may make him/her groggy and avoid high sugar foods that may make him/her hyper. • Make sure that your child gets up early enough so that he/she will be on time to school. • Talking about the test with your child can relieve stress about test taking.

8. Resources • Released Test Questions • http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/documents/cstrtqela4.pdf • http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/documents/cstrtqmath4.pdf • UNRAAVEL—strategy to help students understand questions and locate the answers.

9. UNRAAVEL Math • Underline the question • Now predict what you think you need to do to solve the problem • Read the problem • Are the important words circled • Apply the step(s) you chose to solve • Verify your answer (reasonable? Make sense?) • Eliminate wrong answers • Let the answer stay, or rework the problem

10. UNRAAVEL Reading • Underline the title • Now predict the passage • Run through and number the paragraphs • Are you reading the questions • Are the important words circled • Venture through the passage • Eliminate obvious wrong answers *** • Let the question be answered

11. Donations • Paper towels/napkins • Pretzels • Sugar-free gum • Small Dixie cups