Third Benchmark Complete

This week we completed the third benchmark.  This benchmark was created from Countdown to STAAR which is suppose to be equivalent questions that will appear on the STAAR test.  The test was harder than the previous test.  Students who needed accommodations were granted the accommodations.  The ELL's result was that three of the four passed and the one who showed no improvement last time has come up 20 points from the last test.  The non-ELL's, 13 students have passed, and the ones who have not passed all of their scores have increased as well.

Since the state will not be getting is the scores on the actual STAAR test that will be taken in April to us until next year (after this project is due), this will be the last data pull, and the research is complete. Now data will be collected an analyzed more in depth. Students will continue to work on Study Island and vocabulary until the end of April. I spoke with my mentor (principal) to ensure this would be a correct action.  I will be waiting for the results to come back from the TELPAS scoring.

SPED Teacher Comment

Today in math we were speaking about equivalent fractions and number lines.  One of my students who recently came out of the Title 1 class answered a question about what 4/4 would be equivalent to.  He immediately answered 1.  The SPED teacher was surprised he answered so quickly and asked him how he figured it out so fast.  He stated that it was the same thing as 4 divided by 4 which would equal 1, and proceeded to stated that any number over itself was 1 listing off examples.  The logic was very simple, but seeing other 3rd grade classes she was surprised to see students making connections to fractions and division.

Computer Lab (Flashcards)

One of my students noticed a new icon popped up to each section in Study Island.  The Study Island group has added flashcards as a self check before students begin answering recordable answers.  Students have now been informed to watch the video, complete the flashcards, then take the test.  Note:  students are still using quizlet to aid in the learning of vocabulary.

Computer Lab (Study Island Cleaned)

I have requested that the IT Director to revert the Study Island program back to having no student use to allow students to begin reviewing all concepts again.  Students will be required to retake each section by viewing the video then doing the questions.  Students will be required to repeat each section until they have a minimum of an 85 on each section before they can go on to the next.

Second Benchmark Complete

The second benchmark has been completed.  This benchmark was a previous April 2009 released TAKS test.  This test was easier than then previous test.  Students that required modifications were given the accommodations on this round of test.  I will begin to pull reports and begin to compare to see how students are doing.  In the preliminary round, the ELL's 2 out of the 4 have passed, and the third has improved.  We are now looking at the 4th ELL to see if there are any learning issues that may be resulting in the lack of improvement.  As far as the non-ELL's 13 have passed this round of test.  Those who did not pass are maintaining and are being sent to get small group tutoring. One of the students who did not pass is new to the school and was not in the previous round of testing.

Computer Lab (Study Island Videos)

One of my students noticed that videos has been added to Study Island.  Students are now instructed to review the videos before working that sections problems.  The video is an interactive video that checks for learning understanding.  This is now incorporated into computer time.

Computer Lab (Quizlet Included)

The technology director for the school sent out a list of open source programs.  One of the programs was called quizlet.  This program allows a person to set up vocabulary study cards.  Then it allows the user to play games, study, or quiz over the vocabulary.  I have set up all 3rd grade vocabulary cards in this program.  I have broken the vocabulary down into five sections to make it easier to study.  I have shown the students how to access the program off of my web page.  We are now beginning computer lab time using this program the first 5-10 minutes then going to Study Island.