By the way, if any of these tests are still kicking around at home, can they be sent back to school so they can be put into the child's assessment folder please.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Here comes another one...
Well while we're at it, here is the graph of correct answers from the Naplan Maths we conducted in February. Weak points from this test included multi-step problems, which basically comes down to reading and analysis of the problem, which has been a growing problem over recent years.
By the way, if any of these tests are still kicking around at home, can they be sent back to school so they can be put into the child's assessment folder please.
By the way, if any of these tests are still kicking around at home, can they be sent back to school so they can be put into the child's assessment folder please.
Naplan mock test
I've been marking tests and playing with Excel in order to try and make things clearer for everyone and improve the focus of my teaching.
Just thought I'd show you the graph of the Language Conventions test we did late last term...
Now, up to Q25 is all spelling. For Q1-Q12 the children were told which word was spelled incorrectly, and for Q13-Q25 they had to find it for themselves. You can see for yourselves that these spelling results are not thrilling, but also they are not unexpected. Children just don't read enough today.
The rest is all grammar and punctuation, and these results are more encouraging. The questions start easy and get harder, so we expect to see the graph bars get shorter as we go on. One of the biggest dips in this section would be Q29, and I've included it here for you...
Q29 Class 5 Blue is going on _______ excursion to the zoo this term.
Possible answers: * a * this * an * some
Almost everyone who got it wrong gave the same answer, and I'm sure you can guess what it was.
Congratulations must go to Ashleigh for topping the class, and also for only getting a single question wrong (Q47) for the grammar and punctuation set. I'm sure she's not going to mess up another contraction problem anytime soon.
Just thought I'd show you the graph of the Language Conventions test we did late last term...
Now, up to Q25 is all spelling. For Q1-Q12 the children were told which word was spelled incorrectly, and for Q13-Q25 they had to find it for themselves. You can see for yourselves that these spelling results are not thrilling, but also they are not unexpected. Children just don't read enough today.
The rest is all grammar and punctuation, and these results are more encouraging. The questions start easy and get harder, so we expect to see the graph bars get shorter as we go on. One of the biggest dips in this section would be Q29, and I've included it here for you...
Q29 Class 5 Blue is going on _______ excursion to the zoo this term.
Possible answers: * a * this * an * some
Almost everyone who got it wrong gave the same answer, and I'm sure you can guess what it was.
Congratulations must go to Ashleigh for topping the class, and also for only getting a single question wrong (Q47) for the grammar and punctuation set. I'm sure she's not going to mess up another contraction problem anytime soon.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Swimming faction carnival
Just another quick reminder that everyone will be heading down to the pool this Friday for our Faction Swimming Carnival.
Please, please PLEASE remember to stress the importance of sun protection to your child!
The front office has been a little behind on their data entry because of a tech problem, so I don't have a printout of who has or hasn't paid for this excursion, but rest assured I will be finding out when I can. The cost is $3.50 for those who have forgotten.
Come along and lend a hand to the cheer squad. The more the merrier!
Please, please PLEASE remember to stress the importance of sun protection to your child!
The front office has been a little behind on their data entry because of a tech problem, so I don't have a printout of who has or hasn't paid for this excursion, but rest assured I will be finding out when I can. The cost is $3.50 for those who have forgotten.
Come along and lend a hand to the cheer squad. The more the merrier!
Naplan mock numeracy test
Well, we had our first practice test for Naplan last week, and the results were a little like Keanu Reeves' acting - mostly ordinary and sometimes a little painful :)
But not to worry. My initial evaluation indicates that the results are more about their willingness to bound through the test and get it done as quickly as possible rather than being a true indication of their mathematical ability. I saw many examples where simply slowing down and reading the question twice would have saved a lot of heartbreak in the end, and that will be our initial starting point this week.
The children will be bringing their tests home for you to have a look at and sign before returning them to school for their assessment folders. They will probably come home Wednesday, so look out for them.
But not to worry. My initial evaluation indicates that the results are more about their willingness to bound through the test and get it done as quickly as possible rather than being a true indication of their mathematical ability. I saw many examples where simply slowing down and reading the question twice would have saved a lot of heartbreak in the end, and that will be our initial starting point this week.
The children will be bringing their tests home for you to have a look at and sign before returning them to school for their assessment folders. They will probably come home Wednesday, so look out for them.
Write4fun
Just a quick reminder that the Write4fun Schools Writing Competition is now on, and that there are some fabulous prizes to be won.
I am encouraging ALL students to have a go, with a reminder that for my TAGS group this competition is compulsory!
It would be great if all students had a piece of writing that we could use as the basis for teaching more advanced writing skills in the lead up to Naplan testing next term.
Please remember that the work must be 100% their own, thus if you are asked to read it, by the letter of the law you should not be making suggestions as to how they could improve their writing. Keep comments general and positive please.
I am encouraging ALL students to have a go, with a reminder that for my TAGS group this competition is compulsory!
It would be great if all students had a piece of writing that we could use as the basis for teaching more advanced writing skills in the lead up to Naplan testing next term.
Please remember that the work must be 100% their own, thus if you are asked to read it, by the letter of the law you should not be making suggestions as to how they could improve their writing. Keep comments general and positive please.
New homework format
Tomorrow the children will be assigned their next lot of homework, and you will see that there are some basic changes which have been made to the format.
This format worked well for me in 2013, but for various reasons, last year it didn't. Because this year's group is demonstrating more discipline in getting homework done I have decided to revive the old format of fortnightly homework booklets.
Each child will receive a homework booklet with a range of activities within. Many of them are, at the moment, the same for all of the class (Maths being the exception, as there are at present 4 different ability groups), but I am hoping that eventually there will be more targeted homework assignments focused on your child's area of greatest need.
This booklet (booklet 3) will be due on Friday March 13(!) and booklet 4 will be completed over weeks 7 & 8 of this term. The children can have the last week of term off as far as homework is concerned, though I would hope that they keep up their reading at ALL times!
This format worked well for me in 2013, but for various reasons, last year it didn't. Because this year's group is demonstrating more discipline in getting homework done I have decided to revive the old format of fortnightly homework booklets.
Each child will receive a homework booklet with a range of activities within. Many of them are, at the moment, the same for all of the class (Maths being the exception, as there are at present 4 different ability groups), but I am hoping that eventually there will be more targeted homework assignments focused on your child's area of greatest need.
This booklet (booklet 3) will be due on Friday March 13(!) and booklet 4 will be completed over weeks 7 & 8 of this term. The children can have the last week of term off as far as homework is concerned, though I would hope that they keep up their reading at ALL times!
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Write4fun writing competition
While we're all waiting for homework to kick in with baited breath, I thought I'd draw your attention to Write4fun's annual writing competition. There are some very cool prizes on offer while you're sharpening your pencil and your mind!
This year there is no theme, and writers may choose from poetry (16 lines max) or prose (500 words max). They must be the sole author of their work.
Full details are available from the site: http://www.write4fun.net/
This year there is no theme, and writers may choose from poetry (16 lines max) or prose (500 words max). They must be the sole author of their work.
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