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Test Ready: Math & Literacy Strategies for Success

Math & Literacy State Test Prep for 3rd-5th Graders helps students build confidence and master key skills through engaging, targeted practice. With expert guidance, students will strengthen comprehension, critical thinking, and math fluency
Rhia Mckissic, M.Ed
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(3)
Class

What's included

12 live meetings
9 in-class hours
Assignments
included

Class Experience

US Grade 3 - 5
Preparing for state tests can feel overwhelming, but with the right strategies, students can build confidence and tackle test questions with ease. This ongoing class provides targeted Math & Literacy test prep for 3rd-5th graders, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and test-taking strategies. Each week, students will engage in structured practice that mirrors the format of state exams, ensuring they develop the skills needed to approach test day with confidence.

What Will Be Taught?
Each session focuses on a key test-taking strategy, math skill, or literacy concept that frequently appears on standardized assessments. Students will learn how to:

Break down complex math problems and select the correct operations
Analyze reading passages and identify key details and main ideas
Manage test time effectively and eliminate incorrect answer choices
Strengthen written responses with clear, structured explanations
Weekly Topics & Focus Areas
This club follows a structured curriculum, with one math session and one literacy session per week. The following topics ensure students get well-rounded practice:

Week 1: Building Strong Foundations

Math: Understanding multi-step word problems
Literacy: Reading comprehension – Finding key details
Week 2: Mastering Operations & Constructed Responses

Math: Fractions, number sense, and common pitfalls
Literacy: Writing structured responses using the RACE strategy
Week 3: Word Problems & Main Idea Strategies

Math: Applying decimals and fractions in problem-solving
Literacy: Identifying main ideas and supporting details
Week 4: Test-Taking Strategies & Pacing

Math: Solving problems efficiently under time constraints
Literacy: Skimming, scanning, and pacing for reading comprehension
Week 5: Multi-Step Problems & Test Question Analysis

Math: Breaking down multi-step problems with confidence
Literacy: Analyzing test questions and eliminating wrong answers
Week 6: Mock Test & Final Confidence Boost

Math: Full-length test simulation and review
Literacy: Practice test, strategies for staying focused and prepared
Weekly topics will continue to rotate, ensuring students receive repeated practice while refining their problem-solving and literacy skills.

Class Structure & Teaching Style
Each 45-minute session follows a structured routine to maximize student engagement and learning retention.

Quick Warm-Up and Strategy Focus – Activating prior knowledge with a short problem or discussion
Guided Instruction and Practice – Breaking down sample test questions using interactive slides and real-world problem-solving
Independent or Group Work – Students apply strategies to test-style questions with teacher support
Reflection and Review – Checking answers, discussing misconceptions, and reinforcing key takeaways
My teaching style is highly interactive, inquiry-based, and student-centered. Instead of memorizing tricks, students will develop a deep understanding of problem-solving strategies and practice applying them in real-time.

Learner Interaction & Engagement
This class is designed to be highly interactive with multiple opportunities for participation:

Live discussions – Students explain their thinking and engage in math and literacy talk
Guided problem-solving – Step-by-step breakdowns of test-style questions
Interactive slides and visual models – Helping students visualize concepts clearly
Student responses and reflections – Encouraging deeper thinking and strategy use
Every student will receive real-time feedback, encouragement, and support in a small-group setting, fostering confidence and independence.

Why Enroll in This Club?
Expert-led test prep taught by an experienced educator who knows how to break down complex skills
Engaging and effective instruction that makes learning meaningful and stress-free
Flexible ongoing enrollment so students can join at any time and receive continued support
This class ensures students are well-prepared for their state exams with targeted instruction, practice, and strategies designed to build both skill mastery and test-taking confidence.

Learning Goals

Students will apply problem-solving strategies to analyze and solve multi-step math and literacy test questions with confidence.
Students will develop test-taking skills, including time management, critical thinking, and answer elimination, to improve accuracy and performance on state assessments.
learning goal

Syllabus

Standards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
12 Lessons
over 6 Weeks
Lesson 1:
(Math) – Understanding Multi-Step Word Problems
 Students will learn how to break down multi-step word problems, identify important information, and choose the correct operations. We’ll practice key problem-solving strategies like underlining keywords, using models, and checking for reasonableness. 
45 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Reading Comprehension: Finding Key Details
 Students will explore strategies for identifying key details in both fiction and nonfiction texts. We’ll practice active reading techniques like annotation, highlighting evidence, and using graphic organizers. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
(Math) – Fractions & Number Sense
 We’ll dive into fractions, equivalent fractions, and fraction operations in test-style questions. Students will use visual models and real-world examples to strengthen conceptual understanding. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
(Literacy) – Writing Strong Constructed Responses
 Students will practice crafting clear, structured responses with evidence from the text. We’ll use the RACE strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain) to strengthen written responses. 
45 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Supply List
Students will need a writing utensil and paper for notetaking.
Language of Instruction
English (Level: B1)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined October, 2021
5.0
3reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University
I am an experienced educator with over a decade of teaching elementary students, specializing in math, literacy, and problem-solving skills. I have successfully prepared students for standardized state assessments by using engaging, research-based strategies that build confidence and mastery. As a full-time teacher at a rigorous academic institution, I have worked with diverse learners, tailoring instruction to meet their individual needs. My expertise includes breaking down complex concepts, fostering critical thinking, and equipping students with effective test-taking strategies. With a strong track record of student success, I am committed to helping learners develop the skills and confidence needed to excel on test day.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$40

weekly

2x per week, 6 weeks
45 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-11
2-12 learners per class

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