It’s the final countdown to the STAAR Writing Test, and it is up to YOU to make sure your fourth graders are ready for the STAAR Writing Test.
A lot of teachers like to plan a STAAR Writing Boot Camp with a fun theme that keeps the kids engaged. The planning can be tedious, but with these tips you can plan your STAAR Writing Boot Camp like a pro!
Know Your Students Strengths and Weaknesses
About a month before the STAAR Writing test give your students a mock test. I always like to use the STAAR released test from the previous year. It’s important to analysis the data. Figure out what areas are weak for your entire grade level, class, and students.
The weakest areas for the grade level can be skills you focus on in the STAAR Writing Boot Camp. If your class struggles in a particular area, then you can reteach that skill in class. You can form small tutoring groups to work on particular skills that are weak for just a handful of students. These groups can be conducted before or after school, at an intervention time, or during class.
Teamwork is Key
Team work makes the dream work! Working together with your team will make it easier for everyone, and all of the fourth graders at your school will benefit. The easiest way to make a Writing Boot Camp work is by assigning each teacher one or two skills that they will focus on. Then each class will rotate through every teacher’s classroom.
Here are a few of the most common skills my team focuses on during our Boot Camp: FANBOYS, types of sentences (simple, compound, complex), spelling rules, punctuation, revising strategies, and expository writing
Engaging Activities
Each teacher should plan engaging activities for their particular skill. An hour is a perfect timeframe for the lesson. Be sure to include a whole group review, a small group activity, and an independent assignment. An exit ticket is a perfect way to check students’ understanding.
If you’re short on time (and what teacher isn’t??) Check out my STAAR Writing Prep BUNDLE. It includes three weeks of activities: one week of Editing Rules, one week of Revising Strategies, and one week of Expository Writing activities. Everything you need is at your fingertips. Included are whole group rule review, small group hands-on activities, independent work, and exit tickets!
For even more STAAR Writing Resources check out my blog post: STAAR Writing Resources Round Up
A Challenge
A Challenge is an excellent way to end a Writing Boot Camp. Students work together to complete several revise and edit tasks. Click here for my FREE Revise and Edit Challenge.
An engaging and productive STAAR Writing Boot Camp is a key component in preparing your students for the STAAR Writing Test! Teachers and students alike will be full of confidence after a successful Writing Boot Camp!
Feel free to drop your name and email here, so I can send you the REVISE and EDIT Challenge FREEBIE:
