It’s the final countdown to the STAAR Reading Test, and it is up to YOU to make sure your third, fourth, or fifth graders are ready for the STAAR Reading Test.
There are many resources available to use during your STAAR review: STAAR Reading Resource Round Up.
However, I created an updated STAAR reading resource for your STAAR Boot Camp: STAAR Reading Review includes a review of reading, revise/edit, and extended/short response questions.
The boot camp includes 12 days of notes, small group activities, independent practice pages, exit tickets, and a study guide to take home.
Planning a STAAR Boot Camp can be tedious, but these tips along with my STAAR Reading Review Resource will help you plan your STAAR Reading Boot Camp like a pro!
Know Your Students Strengths and Weaknesses
About a month or two before the STAAR reading test, give a practice test. I always like to use the STAAR released test from the previous year or the STAAR interim test that is an online test that is released from TEA.
It’s important to analyze the data. Figure out what areas are weak for your entire grade level, class, and individual students.
The weakest areas for the grade level can be skills you focus on in the STAAR Reading Boot Camp. If your class struggles in a particular area, then you can reteach that skill in class.
Additionally, if a small group of students struggle with a particular skill, form small tutoring groups. These groups can be conducted before or after school, at an intervention time, or during class.
Pick a Theme
Pick a fun theme across your school or grade level. The kids will buy into the theme and WANT to participate in the boot camp activities. Keep in mind although you have a lot of material to cover, you’ll want to keep the boot camp under 12 days.
Furthermore, incorporating a competition into your theme will get the kids involved in all of the activities.
During the boot camp, I prefer to divide my students up by ability. The two higher groups work independently, I supervise the two middle groups, and the lowest group works exclusively with my co teacher.
However, you can create mixed ability groups if that works best for your class. Just be sure to monitor the students who struggle the most because they will try not to participate.
Some of the most popular boot camp themes include: military boot camp, March Madness, camping, and fear factor.
Whole Group Lessons
To start off each day, I review one reading skill and one revise/edit skill. This short lesson includes notes, a YouTube video, and a quick practice. Students can take notes in their notebooks or use the notes included in the STAAR reading review.
Small Group Activity
After reviewing the skills, students will practice with an engaging small group activity. Each day groups can earn a certain number of points based on how well they do on the small group activity.
It is important to emphasize that everyone must participate in the small group activity. Groups that are arguing or not sharing responsibility can be put on a one minute timeout.
Independent Practice
After reviewing and practicing the reading and revise/edit skills, students will be assessed. An independent practice page and exit ticket for each day is included in the STAAR Reading review.
Immediately after turning in the independent practice, grade the assignment to see if a student didn’t do well. Then the teacher can pull students into a small group the following day to reteach.
Another excellent resource for independent practice or assessments are STAAR released tests. Be sure to add your own short and extended response questions to the already created tests.
Celebrate
Finally, at the end of your STAAR Reading Boot Camp celebrate your students’ accomplishments.
In the past, I have had a Donut Stress about the Test Breakfast. Parents sign up to bring items for the breakfast.
Another fun way to end your STAAR Reading Boot Camp is to have students complete a Reading Challenge. This way they review many reading skills at one time.
If you’re searching for other ways to keep your students interested in your review, check out 5 Ways to Keep Your Students Engaged in Your STAAR Reading Review
An engaging and productive STAAR Reading Boot Camp is a key component in preparing your students STAAR Reading Review. Teachers and students alike will be full of confidence after a successful boot camp!
