Preparing for the STAAR TEST

March 2012
with #2 lead pencils is something
they'll have to do for years to
Preparing for the STAAR TEST
It’s that time again, time for the STAAR Test. In the past, all students across the state of Texas
took the TAKS Test. The TAKS Test has gone away and has been replaced by the STAAR. The
STAAR Test is a more rigorous testing program, but our students and teachers have been working
extremely hard all year getting prepared.
Whether you love them or hate them, standardized tests have become an integral part of
public education. The dates of our state standardized “testing window” are handed out to
teachers before the first day of school and we count down the days much like the children
count down days until vacation.
Good test-taking strategies are introduced in the primary grades. It is important NOT to make
the testing process a stressful one. Helping your child develop a positive attitude and effective
test-taking practices early on will follow them throughout their academic years.
It’s easy to incorporate many of the STAAR Test skills into your daily home routine.
Reading
When reading a book or watching a television show or a movie, ask your child to repeat the
plot, the story's characters (including the main character), and the setting. Ask him to retell
what happens in the beginning, middle, and end. After you read a book together, ask him
questions about what happened.
Math
Rather than concentrating solely on computation, standardized math tests usually involve spatial skills, patterns, and sequencing. Encourage your child to learn to count by twos, threes, and
fives. Create graphs based on family activities and practice reading graphs together. Practice
time and money concepts.
Put the Test in Context
Remind your young learner that these kinds of tests are part of the educational routine. You
took them when you were in school, and your child, no doubt, will face them a number of
times throughout his or her school--and post-school career. Filling in those little boxes or circles
come!
Spring Edi-
This & That at Alamo
STAAR TESTING DATES:
tion
Tuesday, March 27th– 4th Grade Writing (part 1) and
5th Grade Math
Wednesday, March 28th– 4th Grade Writing (part 2)
and 5th Grade Reading
Tuesday, April 24th– 3rd & 4th Grade Math
Wednesday, April 25th– 3rd & 4th Grade Reading
Thursday, April 26th– 5th Grade Science
Easter Holiday!
No School!
April 6th-9th
The Fun Run was a huge success again this year. Thanks to everyone who came out and joined the
fun! Congratulations to all of the Fun Run winners. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Boys Fun Run Results
Kindergarten:
1st Place: Joshua Rendon
2nd Place: Aaron Sickle
3rd Place: Leeland Dionne
First Grade:
1st Place: Reagan Sherrill
2nd Place: Julian Nieto
3rd Place: Carlos Gonzalez
Second Grade:
1st Place: Cristobal Oceguera
2nd Place: Emiliano Garza
3rd Place: Chris Mendoza
Third Grade:
1st Place: Andrew Holmes
2nd Place: Krispin Rodriguez
3rd Place: DaVandre Forde
Fourth Grade:
1st Place: Marques Robertson
2nd Place: Jesus Oceguera
3rd Place: Jose Gutierrez
Fifth Grade:
1st Place: Reymond Bueno
2nd Place: Caymon Clark
3rd Place: Mario Cardenas
Girls Fun Run Results
Kindergarten:
1st Place: Yaritza Sanchez
2nd Place: Carolann Craft
3rd Place: Shelby Davis
First Grade:
1st Place: Kaley Dionne
2nd Place: Alyssa James
3rd Place: Yasmin Gonzalez
Second Grade:
1st Place: Jennifer Sanchez
2nd Place: Corina Tamez
3rd Place: Molly Sickle
Third Grade:
1st Place: Tri’Ana Joseph
2nd Place: Terrisa White
3rd Place: Janelle Hunter
Fourth Grade:
1st Place: Bianca Celestine
2nd Place: Mia Bookman
3rd Place: Jubilee Aguayo
Fifth Grade:
1st Place: Julie Vargas
2nd Place: Wendy Giang
3rd Place: Mia Russel
Character Trait of the Month:
Loyalty – being faithful, constant, and dependable. A loyal person respects others; can see things from the other person’s eyes; takes turns in
a group; works with the group to come up with an answer; allows others
to have a turn; develops healthy friendships.
Fred Stays with Me by Nancy Coffelt and The Monster Who Ate my
Peas by Danny Schnitzlein talk about loyalty! Read and discuss with your
children!
Career Cluster of the month: Arts, A/V, Technology and Communications –this career cluster includes creating, exhibiting, performing and
publishing multimedia content. Examples of careers include: Agents and
Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes; Broadcast
Technicians Choreographers; Graphic Designers;
Court Reporters; Editor; Technical writer; Musicians and singers; Multimedia Artists and Animators; Radio Operators; and,
Locomotive engineer.
Fun Facts
A giant squid’s eye can be 15
inches wide.
Spiders and sea stars are two
of the many animals that have
more than two eyes.
The tuatara lizard is born with
a third eye that gradually gets
covered up by scales. The
third eye helps young lizards
collect sunlight to help them
grow.
ABC’s of Student Success
is for RESPECT.
If children are to show respect for others, they need to understand
what it is to be respected. Author Michelle Borba emphasizes
these parent practices that nurture respect:
Treat your child as the most important person in the world.
Encourage children to have high-but achievable-expectations
of themselves.
Give love with no strings attached.
Listen attentively and respectfully.
Enjoy being together.
Tell kids often why you love them.
Caught
on the
Web
This month’s site:
JigZone Jigsaw Puzzle Gallery http://www.jigzone.com/g.php
…
The PTO did an outstanding job planning
the Mardi Gras Carnival. We are already
looking forward to next year.
Thanks for all of your hard
work!!
Mrs. Nichols’ class enjoyed tracing
their shadows on the sidewalk after
reading the book titled, Bear
Shadow. This activity provided learners a clear example on how the sun
effects the shadow that their body
casts.
Alamo Elementary and The Kiwanis Club of Baytown
A Perfect Partnership in Education!
Thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Baytown for all of their hard
work at our carnival. We could not have done it without you!
Our Student Council is looking forward to attending the
monthly Kiwanis meeting in April!
Relay for Life Update
TEAM BRUNSON is taking orders for their Relay for Life team shirts, they cost $8.00. The
last day to order is Tuesday, March 27th.
March 19th thru March 23rd - “All About Mom”
raffle basket- Includes: a (1)hour massage, $30
gift certificate for BC Nails, $25 gift certificate for Olive Garden, a plug in Scentsy and a
spa robe. Tickets are $1.00 a chance or 6
chances for $5.00. Tickets can be purchased in
the front office.
March 26th- April 5th”Easter” basket raffle(1)boy, (1)girl Easter basket filled with all kinds of
goodies. Tickets are
$1.00 a chance or 6 chances for $5.00.
March 27th –March 29th- “Kick” cancer to the
curb- TEAM BRUNSON will be collecting change
from the car rider line, and at the front desk.
March 30th- “Hats Off” to our great Relay Team
- Students can wear a hat for a $1.00 donation.
Students in each grade level that raising the most money for
Jump Rope for Heart got to throw a pie in the face of their
favorite teacher!
Joseph Coy
having a great
time preparing to put a
pie in Mr.
Brokaw’s face!
Brianna Holland did a fantastic job
“pie”ing Mr. Williams.
Dr. Wyatt with a
pie in his face!!
Kinleigh Elliott receiving her award
for raising the most money for
Jump Rope for Heart.
Kinleigh raised $838.
Great Job Kinleigh!!