Out of this World Literacy

Literacy Resources from Jen Bengel

Assessments

Reading State Test and How to Prepare for It

Most teachers dread the reading state test. Some students get physically ill thinking about tests. This is a great read-aloud to help nervous students. Here are some tips to prepare students for a state reading test.

Have Students Read Every Day

Encourage students to read a variety of books, articles, and texts to build their reading skills and knowledge. This will help to prepare them for different genres that might be included in the test. Not only will they be practicing fluency, but they will gain confidence in their abilities. Daily Reading Morning Work is a great way to start your day. Each passage helps to activate their minds and practice their understanding and reading skills. Available for grades 2-8.

Daily Reading Morning Work
Daily Reading Morning Work

Comprehension Skills for Reading State Test

Teach students how to identify main ideas, summarize texts, make inferences, and analyze characters, plot, and setting. These are basic comprehension skills that will be tested. One way to work on that is with our comprehension passages. You can focus on a different comprehension skill with these passages. The bundle is available below or purchase individually by reading comprehension skills.

Comprehension Passages Bundle

Provide Test-Taking Strategies

Teach students how to pace themselves, eliminate wrong answers, and use context clues to determine the meaning of words they don't know. A really great resource is found in the Mini Units of Mastery. There is a 10 day mini lesson that helps review practical skills that will help your students.

Mini Units for Mastery

Review Test Format and Content

Familiarize students with the format of the test and what type of questions they can expect to see. Review sample test questions and practice with similar texts and questions. Practice taking the test together in class, whether paper or online. Show students how to find proof and practice highlighting the evidence in the text. Provide students with support and encouragement, and help them develop a positive attitude towards the test.

Improve Vocabulary for Reading State Test

Teach students new words and provide opportunities for them to use and practice new vocabulary in context. A great way to practice vocabulary is with our vocabulary passages. These passages are similar to state tests and help students practice defining words within the context of reading. You can purchase the bundle or buy them specifically for your grade level.

vocabulary passages
Vocabulary Passages Bundle

Foster a Growth Mindset

Encourage students to believe in their abilities and to approach the test as an opportunity to show what they know. A great way to do this is with the Reader's Theater. This is a fun way to help calm the nerves of your anxious students.

Reader's Theater

Remember, the most important factor in preparing students for a state reading test is providing a strong foundation in reading skills and ongoing opportunities for practice and growth.

To see more about reading comprehension lessons, click here

Tips for Grading Writing

Hi there,

I am excited to help teachers increase their abilities to teach writing to their students. I hope you enjoy watching Live video below and using the free resources included in this blog post to help you teach writing this year. You can click on any of the images to download them as a free resource.

(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.7”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script', ‘facebook-jssdk'));

Tips for Grading Writing Plus FREE Writing Forms
Tips for Grading Writing Plus FREE Grading Forms! http://outofthisworldliteracy.blogspot.com/2016/09/tips-for-grading-writing.html?m=1
Posted by Out of This World Literacy on Tuesday, September 13, 2016

var _dcq = _dcq || [];
var _dcs = _dcs || {};
_dcs.account = ‘6644115';

(function() {
var dc = document.createElement(‘script');
dc.type = ‘text/javascript'; dc.async = true;
dc.src = ‘//tag.getdrip.com/6644115.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script')[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(dc, s);
})();

Receive Exclusive News & Free Resources

6 Steps to Quickly Assess Reading Abilities

Have you often wondered what your students reading abilities are at the beginning of the school year because you either receive NO data or the data seems really off?

OR…

Maybe you've gotten a new student in the middle of the year and had no clue where his/her reading abilities are?

This blog post will give you 6 EASY and EFFECTIVE steps to informally determining your students' reading abilities.

I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU GET STARTED WITH THOSE STUDENTS WHO COME TO YOUR CLASS WITH NO BACKGROUND READING DATA!

5 Ways to Use Exit Slips PLUS Free Exit Slip Forms!

Exit slips are a great way to do a quick check on students' learning, and hold them accountable for sharing their new learning.  They are also a great way to make a home-school connection.

5 Ways to Use Exit Slips:


1.  Give students 5 minutes at the end of class to turn and talk, sharing what they wrote on their exit slips.  Then, have each student initial their partner's slip at the top.  Collect them in a basket by the door.

2.  Send exit slips home with students a few times a week.  Tell students to share their new learning from the exit slips with someone at home (parent, grandparent, babysitter, neighbor, etc.).  Ask them to write a few sentences on the back, explaining who they talked to and details from the conversation.  Return them to school the next day for a participation/homework grade.

3. Have students make a collage of their exit slips from the week by gluing them on large poster or construction paper.  Ask them to circle the most surprising thing they learned all week, and put a square around the favorite thing they learned.  They can share their posters with the class, partners, in small groups, or take them home to share.

4. Use the half sheets as bookmarks for the week.  Have students ‘stop and share' their new learning from the bookmarks throughout the week.

5. Play a class game, where you pass each exit slip around the room.  Students read each classmate's new learning, and write little notes about it on the back of the page.  Everyone will get their own exit slip back and be excited to read comments from friends on the back!

I hope you have found these ideas helpful and enjoy the free download.

If you are looking for other great assessments and class work, check out this No Prep Common Core line of literacy resources perfect for grades 2-6.

>