Secret Notes for Kids During State Testing

I send these home with families every year before state testing!

What's inside?

Inside each envelope are 2 small notecards and envelopes in fun colors and designs. Also, a directions page explaining state testing and what families are being asked to do.

Families write a note for the beginning of our ELA test and the beginning of our math test. So, on the morning of the test, when kids come in, the note of encouragement is waiting for them on their desk. Of course, I make it fun with a special breakfast, mints, gum, new pencils/erasers, etc.

Also, if a family does not send the note in, of course I write a note of encouragement for that student.

This rarely happens. I try to give families the envelope at conferences before testing so they have the option of writing it right then and there after our conference. Or, at the very least, I know they received it and understand their adult homework. :)

Click here to check out this fun activity!

Have you tried Versatiles in your classroom?

I know - an oldie, but a goodie!

I first used Versatiles probably 12 years ago in my first fourth grade classroom. (You heard that right, my first fourth grade classroom. I have had 3 fourth grade classrooms over the years and literally moved my classroom more times than I can count.)

Versatiles are numbered plastic tiles that fit into plastic cases that lock. They come with workbooks or question cards. In the photo below, my daughter is using them for beginning reader practice. She places the plastic case on top of the questions (top of the page) and answers (bottom of the page). We line up the tiles in number order on the carpet (Also good practice for 1:1 correspondence, counting, and identifying numbers, for our littlest ones). As she answers each question and finds the correct answer, she puts the corresponding tile on the correct answer. When she finishes the page, she locks the plastic case, flips it over, and checks the answer key on the bottom of the page. If she's right, there is a pretty design on the reverse side. If she's wrong, she will notice that he picture does not match the answer key and need to fix something.

I love that Versatiles are self-checking, easy to use, and easy to implement at any age. In my third and fourth grade classrooms, I had a station with Versatiles and question cards relating to whatever we were currently working on. Nowadays, living the instructional coach life, I am using them with my two-year old and loving it. :)

State Testing - Try this short response resource!

Good morning!

We're in it. And by it I mean testing season. As an instructional coach, I'm helping kids AND teachers prepare for upcoming state assessments in New York. I made testing survival kits for my teachers - motivational coloring pages, secret parent notes for encouragement, testing treats, letters to the students for support, and these short response checklists!

I love using pens with my kids to color code their Restate, Answer, and two pieces of Text-based evidence. When they become automatic at it, they will write with one color and use different colored highlighters to check their response. It's difficult to get full credit on the written response without a strategy like this!

While kids can't use them on the test, they can use this leading up to the test and we can hope it sticks! I have several strategies - RATT, RATTS, RAPP, and RAPPS - depending on the strategy different teachers use in my school. What strategy do YOU use successfully for short response questions?

Click here for this resource!

Five for Friday

One of my sweet students had his dad make this for me! There is a light in the wooden stand and a remote control so I can change the color of the light! It is so cool.

I sent these secret missions home for parents this week!

Parents will write a note of support and encouragement for kids. I'll put one note on their desk on day one of the ELA state test and one note on their desk for the first day of the math state test. Inside the envelope parents have a letter explaining the assessments and what they need to do, two envelopes, and two notecards for writing their child letters.

Secret Mission Parent Encouragement Notes

We had a secret agents day!

Since it was a half day, with an assembly, and lunch, AND a special...I wound up with only one hour of teaching time!! Soon, I decided to have some fun with it. We have a state test in ELA next week, so their secret mission was a reading passage and an extended response. After they finished writing it, they had a four point rubric to grade themselves and make changes to their final writing piece. They also got to do this rubric with invisible ink! It was a blast!

The "lasers" were made with white string and a black light shining on them.

I had our READ sign lit up for secret agents day and it looked even cooler in the dark!

The letters were from Michaels.

When I was going through my closet and gathering things to send to Goodwill, Arthur climbed inside the bag and snuggled up with my clothes! The funny thing is that he is afraid of plastic grocery bags!

Five for Friday

I presented at the Association of Math Teachers in the Rochester Area yesterday! I talked all about how I run small group math, hands on lessons, center activities, and....LEGO!!! 

I really had a blast! I also got the opportunity to visit some other presentations. I learned about Google Classroom and Breakout EDU, which I have used in my own classroom and thoroughly enjoy. If you haven't tried Breakout EDU, check it out. I didn't realize they offer digital Breakout EDUs now, too! So cool for a 1:1 classroom or faculty meeting.

LEGO challenges PART 3!

LEGO challenges are going strong in our classroom. They go along perfectly with our STEAM push, which is outlined in our district's strategic action plan for continued success academically. STEAM is huge right now! Not only are my kids receiving STEAM instruction from our math specialist, they are also immersed in literature that goes along with this concept. Rosie Revere, Iggy Peck, and Ada Twist are our favorites right now.

Lucy seriously does this herself.

They're coming.

Two weeks until my third graders are taking the NYS ELA exams.

I'm nervous for them...but I'm excited for that to be done. It's just stressful for these little ones who haven't taken a three day long test ever! They're ready, though!

Happy late Five for Friday on a Sunday! 

I'm off to respond to 20 reader response journal letters for my little kiddos, after a 45 minute walk with Lucy in 10 degree weather!!! I'm ready to snuggle up in the warmth of the house!

Five for Friday!

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching this week for Five For Friday!
                                       

Our class recently finished the read aloud novel Journey to Nowhere, written by Mary Jane Auch. Auch is a local author from Williamson, New York, which is pretty cool. The book is about a girl named Mem and her family who are moving from Connecticut to the Genesee Country in the year 1816. The students recognize many local places as we read. Now, this book is part of a trilogy, and the third book involves Mem’s father working on the Erie Canal, which is also very fourth grade. Unfortunately, the second book becomes a bit grim, with a main character becoming depressed and eventually dying. (Did I forget to say “spoiler alert”? Oops!)

Pictured below is the easel I use for read alouds. We add to it as we read each day, including character traits, notes about events we think might be foreshadowing, ideas for theme, etc. It’s awesome for kids who are absent, substitutes, and our class as a whole!

Click here for the novel study on TpT.

 I scored the math state assessment all day today. It was brutal! You know how you’re exhausted after a day of school, but it always goes by quickly? Well, I’m doubly exhausted after a day of sitting and scoring…but it went by as SLOW AS MOLASSES!

Sidenote: Our Word of the Week is “haphazard.”

In other news, my fourth grade team was given a day to work on the Math modules yesterday. It was great time out of the classroom to work as a team, and really nice of the district to give us subs! I ran back to the room to grab something during the day and one of my boys goes, “Miss Caminiti, you look a tad bit haphazard today.”

 Gee, thanks.

 We’re trying to get creative with Writer’s Workshop. I just want the kiddos to love writing…and a lot of them don’t this year.

I have mostly boys in my class, and while they really enjoy researching topics, the writing part isn’t there.

And while they really enjoy brainstorming humorous fiction stories, the writing part isn’t there.

And while they…oh we could go on like this all day. Anyway, the point is, I need to get crafty. So, last week was all about poetry and picture prompts. This week is all about the websites. I’m using  StoryJumper. This is a website that kids can write their own stories and print them off to make books. With StoryJumper, you can actually order the book if you’d like, too! Since Kerpoof shut down in April, I was happy to find this replacement for the kiddos!

So, wish me luck!

Since our class finished our read aloud, the next novel we’re working on is The One and Only Ivan, written by Katharine Applegate. My students chose it. I gave the option of reading this novel together or No Talking by Andrew Clements. Personally, I was hoping that they would choose No Talking because I’m eager for our annual NO TALKING CONTEST! We do one every year after reading this hilarious and very relatable Andrew Clements book! And my class this year needs a quiet day! But they selected The One and Only Ivan, which is equally awesome. What will we do while reading aloud this novel?

-       - Research the real Ivan!

-       - Research zoos, gorillas, rehabilitation centers, etc.

-       - Tagxedo word clouds for character traits! (These are SO cute!)

-       - The novel study I made with questions that align with the text. (Click here to check it out.)

-       - Watch the book trailer on Katharine Applegate’s website..

-       - Do a wax museum! My students dressed up like Ivan last year, painted a backdrop, and re-enacted a scene from the novel!

Anyway, we finally have nice weather in upstate New York, and 
I'm ready to enjoy it! I love the warm weather!!!