UPDATE/MANDATE FROM THE STATE: Teachers will need to take and hold all students' cell phones (all day) if they are brought to school between 3.5.13 and 3.15.13. This is to ensure there are no distractions and there is no cheating of any kind. I encourage, if possible, students' leave cell phones at home these next two weeks. If this is not possible please remind your students' of this policy and attempt to ease any concerns. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
SCHEDULE: Eight grade scholars will be testing Tuesday-Thursday morning of each week, first week will be three reading tests (one roughly one hour test a day) and the second will consist of three math tests (one roughly one hour test a day).
TIPS FOR SCHOLARS AND PARENTS:
What
parents can do for your child the night before and the morning of the test
1. Encourage your scholar to their best
·
“I know how hard you have worked”
·
“I’m proud of you”
·
“I know you will do great”
2. Encourage
your child to think positive thoughts like
·
“I can do this!”
·
“I have studied
and I am ready”
3.
Make
sure your child goes to bed at a reasonable time
·
Being active earlier in the day (not right
before bed) can help kids get to sleep.
·
Recommended
o
7-12
Years Old:
10 - 11 hours per day
o
12-18
Years Old:
8 - 9 hours per day
4.
Nutrition
also influences how well children do on test; a good breakfast is important,
but a large meal right before the test can be distracting.
·
School breakfast: 8-8:20
·
At home:
o
peanut butter and jelly
o
toast and eggs
o
yogurt and fruit
5.
Help
your child learn how to relax.
·
Some find it helps to take a few deep breaths
before starting the test
·
Imagine a peaceful place like the beach or
park.
Supporting your child emotionally
during ISAT
during ISAT
- Avoid pressuring
- Resist the temptation of reminding your child of what will happen if they do not pass ISAT. Stay positive and supportive.
- Take the pressure off yourself
- Give yourself
permission to relax and this will help your child to feel
more relaxed. - Minimize stressors
- Try to keep interactions with your child positive and relaxed on the days of the test. Conflict or negaitve interactions can become a distraction. Plan for additional time on the morning of the test so that there is a smooth transition to school.
- Praise your child for trying
- Recognize your child’s efforts to do his/her best and focus less on the results. Encourage your child’s attempts to learn something new or work though a difficult problem (during homework).
- Check-in
- Ask your child about how he/she feels the day of the test. Give him/her time to talk about these feelings and listen to what he/she has to say.
Testing
Strategies for ISAT
1.Multiple Choice Questions
- If you do not understand the directions, ask for help.
- Read the question and all answer choices before marking anything.
- Do not change your answers unless you are very uncertain about your first answer choice.
- Try to answer every question. Make the most intelligent guess you can.
2.The Process of Elimination
- After you have been through all of the questions once, go back and find questions you have some knowledge about and eliminate choices that you know are incorrect.
- If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your chance of choosing the right answer is greater.
3.Answering Questions
- Don't guess blindly, but if you have time to think about the best answer choice, make it!
4.Pace Yourself
- Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Do your best and then move on.
- Answers the easiest questions first, but be sure to go back to those questions you skipped.
5.Skip, Return, Check
- If you finish early, check to make sure you have answered all questions.
6.Key Words
- Find key words or phrases in the question that will help you choose the correct answer.
7.Reading Passages
- If the test requires you to read passages and then answer questions about what you read, read the questions first.
- By doing this, you will know what you are looking for as you read. This also helps you go faster on the test.
- When there are several questions about a reading passage or chart, look for clues in other questions that will help you with those items about which you are unsure.
8.Math Computation
- When using scratch paper on a math test, double check to make sure that you have copied the problem correctly from the test booklet!
- If your answer does not match one of the choices, reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try solving it again.
9.A Matter of Time
- If any time remains, spend it on those questions about which you know nothing or almost nothing.
- As you go back through, do not change all answers.
- Remember: Your first guess is usually right.
10.Final Tips
- Fill in bubbles fully, write neatly, and erase stray marks.
- Double-check the test number in your test booklet against the answer sheet every few questions to be sure you haven’t gotten on the wrong number.
Study
time at home should…..
1. Take
place in a well - lit, neat, quiet place. Preferably a place other than the
scholar’s bedroom.
2. Be free
from distractions, such as cell phones, ipods, ipads, computers, radios, etc.
3. Should
involve a parent, guardian, or older sibling
4. Should be
an established routine that occurs throughout the week
5. Should
have a set start and end time, as to not overwhelm the scholar and their study
partner
