Plan Your STAAR reading review like a Rockstar!
Whether you are a first-year teacher or a veteran teacher planning your STAAR Reading Review can be a challenge!
This school year has been unprecedented. Teachers have been faced with challenge of catching up their students after many had a year of virtual learning last year. Many 4th graders opted out of the STAAR test last year, and this could be the first time taking a STAAR test.
Teachers feel the pressure to ensure that students pass the STAAR tests this spring.
Now we inch closer to the STAAR reading test. Many teachers are wondering, “How will I review for the STAAR reading test in my 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classroom?”
It would be nice if students could just log onto the test, read it and answer the questions. Unfortunately, very few students can do this. They need direct instruction on STAAR question stems and strategies to use while testing.
My hope is these STAAR reading review tips will help you and students this spring.
If you’re looking for information on how the STAAR Reading test is changing, check out my post: Understanding the 2022 STAAR Reading Test
Data
To begin, using data is key to a successful STAAR reading review.
Has your class taken benchmarks, STAAR released tests, or a mock test? These are all an excellent source of data. Analyzing your data with your team will help you compare how your students are doing to similar students.
Next, the teacher should create groups based on the data. If the whole class is missing a particular skill, that skill needs to be retaught with the whole group. Inferencing anyone?
When only a small number of students miss a particular skill, just form a small group to reteach that skill.
Small Groups
After creating a small group using the data, you may be wondering what tasks should you do? A game (printable or digital) is a fun way to reteach.
Additionally, a short passage would be a good way to go over STAAR stemmed questions.
The other students in the class can either be working in small groups or independent work.
STAAR strategies vary from question to question. There are certain STAAR Reading Strategies that I use to teach my students.
Setting up a rotation is an excellent way to ensure all students are hitting all review topics.
I have a complete STAAR Reading Prep BUNDLE that has whole group, small group, and independent practice for 12 days laid out for your STAAR Reading review.
Although, no one enjoys reading passages. It is necessary to incorporate passages in your STAAR reading review in order for your students to be ready for the STAAR reading test.
Practice
There are several resources out there that have STAAR reading stemmed questions, such as this STAAR Reading Passages Bundle.
It is important to practice STAAR stemmed questions throughout the year in your daily reading lessons. I have created a list of STAAR Reading question stems for teachers and question cards for students. It is a FREE RESOURCE! Just drop your name and email below:
Be sure to find out if your students are taking the STAAR Reading test online or on paper. You will want them to review the same way they will be testing.
Since the test is timed, remind your students to do the easy questions first and come back to the harder questions.
If you’re looking for reading strategies to use on the STAAR reading test, check out my blog post: 5 Essential STAAR Reading Strategies
Make it FUN
Creating a challenge for students to complete independently or in small groups is a fun and engaging way for students to review for the STAAR reading test.
In order to do this, cut apart the questions of a STAAR released passage and have students complete one question at a time. They can’t get another question until their previous question is correct. The first team done wins!
Or you could always use a ready made challenge, such as this baseball themed STAAR Reading Review Challenge
Try not to put too much pressure on yourself or the students. It has been an unusual year and any progress students have made is amazing.
If you’re looking for resources to help prepare your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students for the STAAR Reading Test, check out my blog post: STAAR Reading Resource Round Up
An engaging and productive STAAR reading review is a key component in preparing your students for the STAAR Reading Test! Teachers and students alike will be full of confidence and ready for their test.
