Unpopular opinion alert: I think teachers should teach to the STAAR test. What?!?
Let me clarify, students don’t automatically know how to take the STAAR Reading Test successfully.
I think third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade teachers need to teach specific STAAR reading strategies in order for their students to be prepared for the STAAR Reading.
Don’t worry, not only will I explain how to teach STAAR reading strategies daily without being BORING. I will also suggest resources that will HELP prepare your students for the STAAR Reading test.
These are the top 5 ways you can prepare your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students for the STAAR Reading Test:
Reading Comprehension Strategies
Should you give students reading passages ALL DAY LONG?
NO WAY!
However, STAAR stemmed questions can be woven into any classroom reading. This includes read alouds, independent reading, guided reading, or even science or social studies reading.
For instance, I consistently read novels aloud to my fourth graders. After each chapter I ask STAAR stemmed questions such as:
“Which character trait describes the main character?” or “What is the most likely reason the character did?”
For a whole list of STAAR stemmed questions at your fingertips, drop your email address below and I’ll send them right over to you.
Additionally, adding the reading skills that have been taught into a Reading Notebook works well. Then students can reference the reading skills they have learned throughout the year.
Revise and Edit Strategies
Revise and edit questions are now included on the STAAR reading test. Most students have never seen these types of questions, so they must practice.
It is necessary that you prepare your students for revise and edit questions.
To begin, students need to learn grammar rules. These grammar rules will then be tested on the revise and edit questions.
A short daily review of grammar skills and revise and edit question stems is important. My daily grammar review or skill specific revise and edit practice are perfect for daily practice.
For more information on teaching revise and edit strategies, I have a blog post: Revise and Edit Strategies for Your 3rd, 4th, or 5th Grade Students
Short Answer
No need to practice short answer questions since your students write daily? WRONG
Students need consistent practice answering short answer questions over the topics that they are reading.
Additionally, they need to be able to prove their answers using evidence from their reading.
An easy way to have students prepare for STAAR Reading short answer questions is to ask a question after every reading that students do in class.
They can pull out a piece of notebook paper and answer the question. At first, students will need lots of modeling on how to answer the question and use evidence from the passage to prove their answer.
Computer Skills
Students need to practice on the online platform that will host the STAAR Reading Test.
Luckily, there are practice tests available on the TEA website
Students will have the opportunity to use the online tools and practice using the embedded dictionary.
This will ensure that they will be prepared to test online.
Test Taking Tips
Finally, test taking tips need to be explicitly taught to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. They need to know what to do when they need to use the restroom, need scratch paper, have a technical issue, submit their test, etc.
Most importantly, students need to monitor their time. If a question is difficult, the student should flag it, so he/she can return to it later.
For more STAAR online test taking tips, check out my blog post: STAAR Reading Online Tips
Also, for specific reading test tips, STAAR Reading Test Taking Strategies
As you can see, teachers MUST teach to the test.
Not all day, everyday, but sprinkle STAAR Reading strategies into your teaching.
Without a doubt, these tips will prepare your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students for the STAAR Reading Test.
