STAAR Writing Resources Round Up

Have you ever struggled with picking resources to review for the fourth grade STAAR Writing Test? There are hundreds of choices, but these questions pop into your mind every time you look:

*Which resources are the best to use with my students?

*How do I use these particular resources in my classroom?

*Will they work in a socially distancing or virtual classroom?

I have created a list of my favorite STAAR Writing resources AND explained how to use them in a 4th grade classroom. Whether you’re teaching virtually or in person, you will find something that will work perfectly for you!

Teaching STAAR Revise/Edit Strategies

If you’re a new fourth grade teacher or if you just want new strategies for revising and editing questions, this resource is for you.

The printable and digital versions will work for any classroom set up.

The resource includes two engaging passages and hands-on practice with revise and edit strategies. The first passage included is called Megalodons: Fact or Fiction. There are 8 editing questions with this passage. Each question includes a strategy on how to answer the question stem.

The second passage is A Gorilla Who Communicates. It includes 6 different types of revising questions. Each question includes movable pieces (digital or printable), so students can actually insert the word or sentence into the paragraph.

This resource is perfect for teaching or reviewing revise and edit question stems.

STAAR Writing Notebook and Grammar Practice Pages

The STAAR Writing Notebook includes grammar rules, revising strategies, and expository writing tips. Teachers can use the notebook as a guide for their mini lessons. That way they will hit all the important skills students need to prepare for the STAAR Writing Test.

Students can reference the notebook all year long. It works especially well when they need to look up a grammar rule, need to remember a revising strategy, or how to write their expository paper.

The grammar practice pages align with the grammar rules. Students can practice a grammar rule after going over it.

The digital and printable versions are excellent for the social distancing and virtual classrooms.

STAAR Writing Grammar Warm-Ups

Short on time? These warm-ups are your answer.

The STAAR Writing daily warm-ups include daily practice on the most important skills that 4th grade students need to know for STAAR Writing: grammar rules, revise and edit questions, and even expository writing.

All the teacher has to do is print it out, there is no prep work needed! Each day students spend 5-10 mins. on the question of the day. Next, the teacher goes over the answer immediately. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your students improve on the skills.

24 weeks of warm-ups are included in the resource, and each week gets progressively harder. Therefore, if you are starting in the middle of the year, you should start on week 13. 6 weeks from the test? Start on week 18.

Revise and Edit Passages

These practice passages are very similar to the passages that fourth graders will see on the STAAR Writing Test.

There are 12 passages on popular Texas tourist destinations. Each passage has 6 revise and edit questions that are STAAR stemmed.

Students can work together in small groups or work on them independently. It is most effective when the teacher goes over the answers immediately, so students can see where they made mistakes.

This resource has recently been updated to include printable and digital versions.

Skill Specific Revise and Edit Practice

This resource includes 30 short passages with 4 skill specific revise or edit questions. The passages are easy to use on a daily basis because of the length.

Each passage is about a popular U.S. tourist destination. Students find them to be interesting to read. The questions are STAAR stemmed, and specific to a particular grammar or revising skill.

For example, the passage on the Grand Canyon includes four questions over capitalization rules. Another example is the Liberty Bell passage. It has revising questions on inserting or deleting sentences.

Teachers can also use these passages in small groups to hit particular TEKS that students are struggling with.

STAAR Writing PREP

3 Weeks of Prep! Materials galore! Resources include whole group, small group, and independent activities. Digital and printable versions of all activities are included.

Your in person and virtual students will be well prepared for the STAAR Writing Test.

When you first look at these STAAR Prep materials, you may feel overwhelmed. Luckily, everything is laid on weekly calendars.

The plans for 3 weeks are completely done for you. There is an entire week dedicated to revising, one for editing, and one for expository writing. Each day includes a whole group mini lesson, a small group activity, an independent activity, and an exit ticket.

Some prep work is involved in getting the materials ready and organized, but it’s totally worth it in the end. Students will receive a well rounded review.

Additionally, you receive a STAAR Writing review sheet that outlines key points of the test.

Teachers have a desire for their students to do well on whatever they are doing including the STAAR Writing Test.

But, they don’t have the funds to buy every resource out there! Hopefully this list will help you with finding the perfect resource for your class!

Also, as a gift I would like to give you a FREE STAAR Writing Challenge. This resource includes revise and edit activities that students have to complete in order to solve a puzzle. It is an engaging activity that students can work on in small groups or independently!