ISAT and Free Apps

I would like to remind all our third grade families that ISAT state testing will be taking place beginning March 5. The testing window lasts two weeks which also includes time for makeup testing. Students perform best when well rested and after a healthy breakfast. As attendance is also a key to success, it is best not to schedule routine appointments during these days if at all possible. Please encourage your child to do their best and show what they know.

Free Reading Apps:

Over the years, I have had parents ask me about reading strategies to help their students succeed. Obviously, there are many successful steps. Here are a few Apps that allow students to use technology to improve their reading. Each is free and developed in association with the Virginia Department of Education.

Aesop's Quest, based on Aesop's Fables, is a learning game where the student must remember elements of a story to complete a level. At the end of each story segment or level, the student is rewarded with puzzle pieces. After solving the puzzle, the story is complete and the child can continue to the next story.

In Opposite Ocean, Luna and Leo must master the magic of words by correctly identify the antonym that is the opposite of the given keyword. Children earn pearls when they drag the correct bubble word to the enchanted clam.

Professor Garfield Fact or Opinion is part story, part game, and part online safety lesson. When Garfield's friend receives an "F" on his report about goats for using opinions instead of facts, Professor Garfield steps in to explain the differences between a fact and an opinion (particularly with regard to the Internet), how to read with a questioning mind, and how a fact can be verified.

In Same Meaning Magic students help Luna and Leo, young magicians at magic school, toss word stones into the wishing well to earn gold coins and jewels by choosing the best synonym.

Same Sound Spellbound is an adventure designed to help the player understand homophones (words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings, such as "bee" and "be"). Luna and Leo, young magicians at Magic School, must use their spell book to bring animal statues to life. In the game, students must correctly identify the homophone which best completes the puzzle sentence, in a given time.

Writing Season!

While Spring may still be a while coming, Writing season is upon us!

Of course, our students always develop and practice their writing skills. However, this is the time of year when those skills all culminate into complete writing products.

Students first address the question or prompt. They then refer to the text for support. They use high level thinking to form opinions and justify them. They make connections between the text and their personal lives. Finally, they round out their writing with reflective and concluding thoughts.

It is a great time to talk to your student about some of these skills. I think you'll be impressed by their level of understanding.