Helpful Information from Mrs. Newman

1
Welcome4th Grade Parents
taks information night texas assessment of
knowledge and skills

• Helpful Information from Mrs. Newman Mrs. Edomm

2
2009 Test Dates
Writing TAKS Tuesday, March 3rd Math TAKS
Tuesday, April 28th Reading TAKS Wednesday,
April 29th
3
Take out your pencils Its your turn!
4
Frequently Asked Questions

• What is being tested?
• The TEKS Objectives- Our Curriculum
• The Writing Process

5
Writing Objectives
1 The student will, within a given will, within
a given context, produce an effective composition
for a specific purpose. Writes for a variety
of different purposes Applies conventions of
proper capitalization, punctuation, and
penmanship Revises drafts 2 The student will
produce a piece of writing that demonstrates a
command of the conventions of spelling,
capitalization, punctuation, grammar, usage, and
sentence structure. Composes original texts
Spells proficiently Applies standard grammar
usage Edits drafts for specific purposes 3
The student will recognize appropriate
organization of ideas in written text. Adds,
elaborates, deletes, combines, and rearranges
text revises for coherence
6
Writing Objectives
4 The student will recognaize correct and
effective sentence construction in written
text. Uses complete sentences, prepositional
phrases, and conjunctions Edits for standard
usage, varied sentence structure, and word
choice 5 The student will recognize standard
usage and appropriate word choice in written
text. Uses adjectives and adverbs and writes
with increasing accuracy Edits drafts and
proofreads own writing and that of others 6
The student will proofread for correct
punctuation, capitalization, and spelling in
written text. Capitalizes and punctuates
correctly Spells proficiently Uses
apostrophes correctly Proofreads own writing
and that of others
7
What can your student expect to see on the TAKS
test?
Selections that are more than one page
Different types of text Graphic organizers,
tables, charts, and graphs Paired selections
(2 stories together with questions about both)
Words in Italics 40 50 questions Multiple-
Choice Answers Underlined words
8
Frequently Asked Questions

• The main objectives covered on the math TAKS are
• 1 Numbers, Operations, and Quantitative
  Reasoning
• 2 Patterns, Relationships, and Algebraic
  Reasoning
• 3 Geometry and Spatial Reasoning
• 4 Measurement
• 5 Probability and Statistics
• 6 Mathematical Processes and Tools

9
Math TAKS

• From here on out, please be using every
  opportunity to expose your children to math in
  their daily lives
• Grocery Store (paying/making change)
• Chores (make a chart/table/graph)
• Video Games/Priveleges (have your child create
  a chart/table/graph)
• Be on the lookout for fractions, decimals, etc.
  (in our closet, what fraction of shirts is blue?)

10
Frequently Asked Questions

• What is being tested?
• The TEKS Objectives- Our Curriculum
• The Process of Reading

11
Reading Objectives

• 1 The student will demonstrate basic
  understanding of culturally written texts.
• Main Ideas/ Details/ Summary
• Context Clues
• Vocabulary (figurative language, parts of
  words, multiple meanings)
• 2 The student will apply knowledge of literary
  elements to understand culturally diverse written
  texts.
• Characters personalities, qualities, feelings
• Characters and relationships
• Characters and motives
• Characters and change
• Setting and effect on the story
• Story plot, problems, solution

12
Reading Objectives
3 The student will use a variety of strategies
to analyze culturally diverse written texts.
Organizational clues (cause effect/ time
order) Similarities and differences Judgments
about logic (Does this make sense?) Graphic
organizers (outlines, diagrams, charts)
Authors purpose for writing Authors
perspective 4 The student will apply critical
thinking skills to analyze culturally diverse
written texts. Implied, in depth meanings (not
stated word-for-word in a story) Form
conclusions Support conclusions Responsible
predictions Fact and opinion Connect themes,
ideas, issues Authors organization and
presentation of ideas
13
Avoid Panic a-TAKS!!!!
TAKS testing is hard work for students. There is
no time limit and most students take at least 4
hours to finish the exam. Students often feel
physically and mentally drained. As parents, the
best thing you can do to help your child prepare
for the TAKS test is Encourage your child to
finish their homework each night. Teach your
child one new word a day challenge them to use
it to create complete sentences. Read with your
child. At this age, they should be reading
silently with a little help from you, but it is
still fun for them to share a book out loud.
Dont forget to ask them questions about the
story to get them thinking! (Who? What? Where?
When? Why? How?) Students have to read think
for almost 4 hours, so they should be able to sit
and read quietly every night for 30 minutes or
longer. Get involved with your childs homework.
It will help them help you know how they are
doing.
14
Avoid Panic a-TAKS!!!!
Watching TV movies What was the show
about? What are the characters names? What
happened first? How did the show end? What
might have happened instead? Could it happen in
real life?
15
Avoid Panic a-TAKS!!!!
When reading with your child What are the
characters names? Describe the
characters. What would you have done if you were
the character? How would you have felt if you
were the character? Describe the setting. What
happened first? How did the chapter (or story)
end? Put what you just read in your own
words. What might have happened instead? Could
it happen in real life?
16
The Night Before

• Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest
  the night before any of the TAKS tests.
• Please make sure your child eats a healthy and
  filling breakfast the morning of the TAKS test.
• Send your child to school with a warm smile and
  an encouraging word- quality interaction can
  make a world of difference! ?

17
Supplies your child may bring Water
Bottle Pencils Erasers Pencils Sharpeners Smorgas
bord of Snacks A Smorgasbord is typically a
celebratory meal and guests can help themselves
to whatever takes their fancy from a range of
dishes laid out for their choice. Your child may
bring a snack for our TAKS Smorgasbord. Please
bring enough for 15 kids. I will provide the
plates, napkins silverware. Snack
Ideas Granola bars Beef Jerky Crackers Dried
Fruit Fruit Tray Raw Vegetables (broccoli,
carrots, green bell peppers) dip Pretzels Banana
s Healthy Popped Popcorn Gogurt Tubes Goldfish
Raisins Please NO chips or sugary snacks I
will provide some candy treats.
18
Helpful Websites

• http//www.tea.state.tx.us/index3.aspx?id3693men
  u_id3793
• http//math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org
• http//iusd.org/parent_resources/phrasesencourage.
  htm
• www.readwritethink.org
• http//www.dentonisd.org/bormanes/site/default.asp
  
• (Check out our websites!)
• Google search TAKS tips 4th grade TAKS prep
  at home reading/ math help 4th grade writing
  help