ELA Diagnostic: This diagnostic measures, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and High -Frequency Words. These should be Mastered by 5th grade. If your child still is struggling in those areas, then they will be getting extra help in the morning (WIN) and during small group instruction time with me.
THE main areas for fifth grade are Vocabulary, Comprehension /literature, and Comprehension / informational. Overall our class and most classes struggle in the informational area. But during PTC’s next month we will dig into your own child’s results and set goals to help them push forward for the end of the year.
MATH Diagnostic: Math measures a lot of standards but overall categories are Numbers and Operations, Algebra and Algebraic Thinking, Measurement and Data, and geometry. The category that is usually the hardest to master and the most important is Numbers and operations. The others are important as well, just not as critical.
Dibels/ aka Acadiance: This is how they measure fluency (speed of reading), accuracy (how many words are correctly said), and retell (summarizing the material read), and daze/maze (close read or plugging in words to a text)
They take all those pieces and come up with a composit score. Dibels in MOSTLY for accuracy and speed in my opinion. The final scores for 5th grade (to be on benchmark) should be as follows:
Fluency: 130 words per minute
Accuracy: 99% – 100%
Retell: 36 words for a summary
Daze: 24 words in (3 min)
Obviously if your child is in the BLUE they are above benchmark. THAT is WONDERFUL, but I want them to keep working hard and reading HARDER material. If parents want to help at home… encourage higher lexile reading and INFORMATIONAL topics. The more background and material they read, the more they will be able to comprehend these materials for the future. Blues lexiles should fall between 800 – 1200.
Yellows usually are working on fluency (speed). To help at home, they need to read OUT LOUD. This will help them to feel more comfortable and confident. At this point, picking material to read, JUST motivating them is necessary. Try to stick in the lexile of 600 – 800. Informational is GREAT, but I just want them to LOVE to read… and when you struggle it is hard to find the passion.
Reds will need to work the hardest. They need to WANT to read and usually it is accuracy. They are not able to sound out words and then comprehension REALLY suffers because they are stressing so much on the words and not the what. To help, have them read out loud. Stick in their lexile 300 – 600. They NEED to read at least 30 minutes a night. It is CRUCIAL for their development especially since they are heading into the Jr. High (at Quest) and soon (District). At school, we will evaluate their struggle even deeper… and during WIN time focus on that area. I will also continue to help them in small groups. If they are students with SPED needs we will have that time as well. If your child is a RED and not in SPED (getting extra help for learning disabilities) and you would like to discuss the option that they may need to be tested. Don’t hesitate to ask me about options we can do. For all my REDS, and YELLOWS I am already doing certain accomodations. Anyway I can help your concerns or worries for your children just ask.
Finally, next week we will be back on our regular schedule for testing in Math and ELA. I will have grades updated, hopefully today, or by next Wednesday. I will send out an email as they are updated. If you have questions about the new program, please email me or the office. Remember it is all based on Mastery (their test scores/ proof of knowledge) I always take the highest score for any standard. Math tutoring is commencing on Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00 – 3:30, except holidays and PTC’s (it is cancelled on those days). Parent Teach Conferences will be virtual again. I will have the zoom link on my Signup Genius page. I will send an email out when that is up and ready. February 2, 3 will be the main dates to sign up for. If you need another one, email me privately. I will do my best to accommodate your schedules.
Thank you again, for EVERYTHING. Your support and your positive reinforcement at home. Helping to motivate your kids, and all the donations you have already given, and might give in the future. LOL
Speaking of that… I am in need of these items for our Valentine’s Party.
*Conversation Hearts: Individually wrapped (small boxes)
*A yummy SNACK that would be good for our class’s party.
*A fun project or game? for the party
*I can’t have volunteers (sad face) but any suggestions I would be VERY grateful for.
*Any (non edible) prizes to put in the treasure box – running low
*ALWAYS needed : wet wipes, glade spray (automatic), whiteboard markers, sharpie markers, pencils, colored pencils, and old games that still have their pieces, but want to donate to the class.
HAVE A WONDERFUL LONG WEEKEND!
