A Word About Testing
Good morning. I want to take a moment to talk about testing. First off, there are two types of tests. The first type is formative, which is a quick quiz given to determine where students are in terms of their learning at that point in a unit. You may hear the term “mini-quiz,” which is used to describe this type of assessment. Mini-quizzes may or may not be graded, depending on where we are in the unit. The other type is summative, which can be a standardized test (M-Step), district common assessment, or end-of-unit test. These are tests used to measure a student’s learning over the course of a whole chapter, unit, marking period, school year, etc.
This week, we have several tests scheduled. The math M-Step, which is the state standardized test, is scheduled for Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning, and the social studies M-Step is scheduled for Thursday morning. The district social studies common assessment is also this week. These are both summative assessments. The final test this week is math, and it is also a summative assessment.
Whew! That’s a lot of tests! And we all feel it. So in order to help ease up on the students, Ms. Awosika and I came up with a plan. For the M-Step, we are using class time to review 5th grade math concepts. For the social studies common assessment, we are utilizing as much time as possible this week to help students feel ready. We will also provide a study guide and/or study activity for students to use in preparation for the test. For the math test, students were provided with a study guide last week, so they could begin studying then. Also, we have broken the test up into 4 parts. On Monday, they will take 2 parts, then one part on Tuesday and the last part on Wednesday. By breaking the unit down this way, we are hoping to alleviate some of the stress on the students because they only have to study one concept at a time.
In the weeks coming up, we will have the district writing test, the NWEA test for math, language arts and science, the DRA (reading test), and two more social studies common assessments. We will also have one more science project, and at least two more math unit tests. It is that time of year, unfortunately! But the good news is, the end is in sight and our 5th graders will be headed to MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!! But, not before we have the fifth grade kickball game, the talent show, Washington DC, field day, fifth grade promotion, fifth grade party and possibly another surprise from Ms. Srour!
So hold on tight, fifth graders and parents of fifth graders, because this roller coaster isn’t slowing down! 🙂
