{"id":2360,"date":"2019-04-09T16:38:45","date_gmt":"2019-04-09T20:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/joachia\/?p=2360"},"modified":"2019-04-09T16:38:54","modified_gmt":"2019-04-09T20:38:54","slug":"whats-up-with-mstep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iblog.dearbornschools.org\/joachia\/2019\/04\/09\/whats-up-with-mstep\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Up with M-Step?"},"content":{"rendered":"

M-Step:\u00a0 What’s It All About?<\/span><\/h1>\n
\"Large<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

The M-STEP is a 21st Century\u00a0online\u00a0test given for the first time in the Spring of 2015. It is designed to gauge how well students are mastering state standards. These standards, developed for educators by educators, broadly outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be prepared to enter the workplace, career education training, and college.\u00a0M-STEP results, when combined with classroom work, report cards, local district assessments and other tools, offer a comprehensive view of student progress and achievement. For additional information,\u00a0click\u00a0State Assessment in Michigan: \u00a0What it is, What it means – And What it Offers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What Does That Mean for My Child?<\/span><\/h1>\n

Our third grade team at Haigh has worked hard all year long to prepare for this test.\u00a0 The teachers tend to think of it as a chance for your child to “show off” what he\/she has learned this year as a third grader!\u00a0 Keeping it positive is important.\u00a0 Tests can be stressful and we want this to be a good experience.\u00a0 We will have a change in our regular curriculum over the next few weeks to learn and practice good test taking strategies and to reinforce material that is tested.\u00a0 Our days will focus primarily on language arts and math instruction.\u00a0 In language arts, we will be working on text based writing (writing essays based on texts we read), answering questions based on listening to literature, and writing skills.\u00a0 In math, we will be focusing on 2 units of study–graphing and geometry.<\/p>\n

What Should We Do To Prepare?<\/span><\/h1>\n

Make sure your child is in school and on time.\u00a0 Plan your routines around early bedtimes and healthy eating.\u00a0 Sending a healthy snack to school daily is important.\u00a0 Talk with your child about how testing is not something to be scared about, but something that requires preparation.\u00a0 If you’re prepared, you’ll do well.\u00a0 That said, it’s important to stress the importance of the test.\u00a0 We are teaching our students the process of reading questions first, then reading the text selection.\u00a0 Also, knowing the strategy of eliminating answers that don’t make sense helps when you’re unsure of an answer.<\/p>\n

Academically, make sure your child is completing homework and reading with his\/her regular routine.\u00a0 I will be sending home reading assignments for reading groups, but not a reading log for the month of April.<\/p>\n

When Do Third Graders Take The Test?<\/span><\/h1>\n

There are three sections to the test.\u00a0 The test is untimed.\u00a0 Students will take the test in the morning, immediately after attendance.\u00a0 It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that your child is on time to school on these days.\u00a0 Being late adds an extra measure of stress that we want to avoid.<\/p>\n