Counting down
State math test
Thursday, April 30
th
We will spend the next two days focusing on changes in our state test and completing a practice test. With 50 minute classes, more than one class period will be needed, including time to share and discuss expectations and to complete the practice test.
How might it connect to the
new state math test that
you will take on April 30
th?
What do you notice?
How might it relate to
taking your state math
test?
Share with an elbow partner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJTSDHXL88Y
Extended metaphor:
As you take your test, how
are you like the batter?
What other comparisons
might you make?
Discuss as a group of four.
What is one thing you heard in your group ? Click on pic to show 1.2 minutes
Agency
Becoming a 5 star math problem solver
CFU - Check for Understanding
What is Derek Jeter’s advice?
What is agency?
Why is it important?
What are some things you can do to grow your brain and get
better and better?
Like an all star baseball player, a 5 star math problem solver
and critical thinker needs strategies.
How do you think the batter felt as he went to bat ready to hit his 3000th hit?
How do students sometimes feel when it is time for another state test? This year the test is timed, how might some students feel about that?
No need to be stressed about the test… Why not?
Stress can cause students to forget what they know and
do poorly so the last thing we need is STRESS!!!
One way to minimize stress is to find out more
information, so that there are less surprises.
Another way is to practice. We are going to take a
practice test. It will help you develop strategies to do
your best without stress.
There is no need to be stressed about the practice test.
Why not?
It is not for a grade on problems right or wrong.
You will be graded on AGENCY.
One way of growing your brain is by asking questions.
When you take the practice test, you will have lots of questions.
That will be GREAT!
Another way of growing your brain is by developing strategies.
The practice test will help you develop strategies to use during
Strategy #1
Try to answer as many questions as
possible.
Think of it as a game to race against
the clock.
Example on next page:
Get out your white boards. Number 1 – 4.
How many questions can you answer in 5 minutes?
Draw a picture on your letter sheet to remind you of this strategy. What situation is modeled on the number line?
F. The temperature was -3 G. The temperature was -3 H. The temperature was -J. The temperature was K. The temperature was
Kara went running 3 times this week. Each time she ran 2.5 miles. What number line models this situation?
The pool was 5/8 full of water. What percent is that?
A. B. C. D.
3
2
1
4
What fraction is not equal to 0.5? A.B. C. D.
Strategy #2
Don’t get stuck on one problem that
is hard and not get to other
problems further along in the test
that may seem easier for you.
Example on next page: Examine the 4 problems and decide which one you might skip.
CFU Signal
When I give the signal, hold up the number of fingers to show which problem you would skip over.
Just like the batter who may choose not to swing on some balls, you may decide to skip a question and go to the next one.
Draw a picture on your sheet to remind you of this strategy.
1
2
3
Strategy #3
Don’t skip the questions where you
have to write out an answer. Do your
best to get more than half of these
types of items and more than half of
the multiple choice items answered
correctly to the best of your ability.
Draw a picture on your letter sheet to remind you of this strategy.
J.J. says he is going to work hard and he plans to get every problem on the test right.
Tina says she is going to do all the multiple choice items first, and then go back and do the ones you have to write explanations and draw models.
Keisha says she is going to do all the ones you have to write explanations because those problems are more interesting and count more points in your score.
Is the
student’s
strategy
reasonable?
Critique their
reasoning.
What advice
might you
give them?
Strategy #4
During the last five minutes of the
test, make sure that every multiple
choice item has an answer since
there is no penalty for guessing, but
be strategic with guessing based on
math probability. It would be best to
fill in all blank items with the same
letter because by mathematical
probability, this would increase the
chance of guessing more right
Draw a picture on your letter sheet to remind you of this strategy.
You should try to answer ____ items correctly. How many
multiple choice items should you leave blank? ___ Is it better to skip a constructed response item or do at least part of it ?
CFU - Check for
Understanding
Like an all star
baseball player, a
5 star math
problem solver
and critical
thinker uses
strategies and
learns by asking
questions.
Becoming a 5 star math problem solver
Just like a ballplayer needs tools for the game, what tools do you need?
As we look at the next slide, think about… What is in your math toolbox that will help you on the test?
Read back of your answer booklet
“G” and write your name.
Erase completely.
Don’t make stray marks. Do the constructed
response items in the box. TEST Question Booklet page 2
You will
have ___
minutes to
start your
practice
test today.
Day 2
Power Pose
http://blog.ted.com/fake-it-til-you-become-it-amy-cuddys-power-poses-visualized/
These are “Power Poses.”
What do you think that
means?
“Power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t
feel confident — can affect brain chemistry, and might even have an impact
on our chances for success. How might this help you get better grades?
http://blog.ted.com/fake-it-til-you-become-it-amy-cuddys-power-poses-visualized/ “I introduced my students to power posing last spring.
One student in particular was always so nervous during assessments and therefore her test scores did not
represent her abilities at all. From that day forward that student power posed before every test and her grades went from high ‘C’s and low ‘B’s to where she belonged — in the mid to lower ‘A’s. I’m convinced that power posing helped her…”
–Physics Teacher
“Fake it until you become it!” Show me your power pose. Relax in your power pose for 2 minutes while I talk.
2 minutes…
That’s all it takes to change your body chemistry to stop the cortisol that your body produces when stressed. Try it, it works!
Your assignment
after you finish
your practice test
is to complete the
reflection sheet.
Like an all star
baseball player, a
5 star math
problem solver
and critical
thinker uses
strategies and
learns by asking
questions.
You will have
___ minutes
to complete
your practice
test.
End of class:
Reminder of
assignment
Agency
We are growing our brains by working hard and
setting goals so that we can get better and better.
