Ongoing Writing & Test Prep Strategies for Grades 5-7

Standardized test prep in schools can be anxiety-inducing for students. This class benefits all students looking to improve comprehension and reading strategies. Although most states/countries have different names for standardized test prep, the skills students are expected to learn are relatively similar. For example, the STAAR test looks at how many questions a student gets correct (mastery), while MAP tests measure progress. However, skills such as text structure, context clues, textual evidence, inference, and main ideas are present on all standardized reading tests. My course prepares students to improve the way they read a text and answer questions.

CLASS STRUCTURE

1. Weekly warmup (short passages 1-2 paragraphs) with 2-4 questions; focus is on main idea, evidence, and vocab
2. Skill/testing focus
3. Longer articles/stories/excerpts (each class typically features a longer passage or article with 4-6 questions and shorter passages) (many articles are skill focused)
4. After students have read the article (1-2 pages), we will look at each question. Students will first send their best guess in the chat. We will then go over answers and break down how to find the best answer
5. Word Study (roots, nuances, context clues)

Comprehension and vocab work in every class! Focus is also on academic vocabulary (ex. some tests use "evidence" while others use "supporting details," but both are the same skill. 

This class is ongoing. No reading is required/needed prior to class. Students can enter and leave at any time. Topics do not build.

There is an optional homework reading comprehension assignment after every class.

Question Types Covered: Multiple Choice, Multiple Correct Answer Selection, Multipart, Constructed Response, Paragraph Response

MISSED CLASSES
If your student misses a class, a recording will always be accessible on the classroom page. The PowerPoint notes are always available as well. The weekly test and assignments will also be posted for the student. 

Note. If your student is not able to attend in person, refunds will not be issued. This is because the student can still access the materials, recording, and receive grades for assignments. If you need to miss a class or several and do not want to be billed, you can pause your subscription.


SCHEDULE
Week of April 7: "Do Teens Need Recess? (Claims and Evidence)
Week of April 14: "Examination Day" (Analyzing POV)
Week of April 21: "Saturday School to K-Pop Cool" (Drawing Conclusion)
Week of April 28: "Wizard of Oz" (synthesizing information)
Week of May 19:  "The Four Dragons" (summarizing information)
Week of May 26: "Should We Bring Back Extinct Animals?" (rebuttals, claims, evidence)

More Lessons TBA