Keyboarding and Literacy

With the onset of computer based testing (CBT) affecting several grade levels, it is becoming more and more important for student to be computer literate. Keyboarding skills also become a factor. For example, students in 2nd grade will be typing the spelling part of the FAIR-FS. How can we help them prepare? 

One suggestion would be to print out a mock keyboard like the one above. You can attach the printout to the inside of their journals, in a spelling folder, or simply laminate and store them at each group. That way when you are introducing new spelling patterns during the week you can have the students practice "typing" them right at their seat.

To download a blank keyboard (a larger version than the one above), click here.

Source of keyboard: http://sharpjacqui.blogspot.com/2009/07/keyboarding-and-literacy.html

Stay in the Know: READ YOUR WEEKLY BRIEFINGS

Please see the weekly briefing below regarding the FSA (Florida Standards Assessments).

Briefing ID #: 15862 ALL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS: ITS - Information regarding the Online Portal and Resources for the Florida Standards Assessments Category: For Your Information

Audience:	All Principals/APs
Post Date:	Jul 03, 2014
Due Date:	n/a
Meeting Date:	n/a
Master Calendar:	n/a
Attachment(s):	15862_-_ATTACHMENT_-_CBT_Transition_Chart.pdf

To notify principals and assistant principals with information regarding the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) online portal as well as the release of some FSA resources.

• The Florida Department of Education has released information on the new FSA online portal available at  http://www.fsassessments.org/.   Districts, schools, students, parents, and the general public can access this site for information on the new assessments. 
• In addition, this portal will serve as the primary location for schools and district administrators to access resources for test administration and to conduct activities related to computer-based testing (CBT), test management and reporting.
  • TIDE is American Institutes for Research (AIR’s) online test management system and Online Reporting System (ORS) is AIR’s test results delivery system.  Both sites will require a username and password.  More information regarding these systems will be provided in early fall. 
• The memorandum by the Commissioner of Education may be found at this LINK outlining the following resources now available on the portal:
  • Training Tests are intended to provide students, parents, and educators with an opportunity to become familiar with the item types and functionality of the new CBT platform produced by AIR.
    • Sample items for different grade levels and subject areas are available for the following: 
      • Grades 4-11 FSA English Language Arts (ELA) Writing Component  
      • Grades 3-11 FSA ELA (Reading, Language, and Listening)
      • Grades 3-8 FSA Mathematics
      • FSA End-of-Course (EOC) Mathematics
    • Please note the following important information regarding the training tests:
      • The new platform allows users to select new features such as color contrast/print size, zoom, and audio that were previously only available as an accommodation for students with disabilities on the FCAT and EOC assessments.
      • CBT accommodations, such as text to speech for students with disabilities, are not available on these training tests at this time. Information on the CBT accommodations will be provided when it becomes available.
      • Assessments for students in Grades 3 and 4 will be paper-based in 2014, 2015, however sample tests are provided for these grades as well which illustrate the types of items that will be available once each assessment moves to online delivery (please refer to the attached CBT transition chart). 
      • The ratio/percentage of items of each item type in the training tests is NOT representative of the ratio/percentage of items of each that will appear in the operational tests.
  • DRAFT Test Design Summary/Blueprints provide more detailed information about the assessments, including the percentage of items in each content category, cognitive complexity and appropriate number of test items.
  • DRAFT Test Item Specifications guide the development of statewide assessment items and define the content and format of the test items for each grade level and subject.

Transitioning to FAIR-FS

Florida is transitioning to an updated version of the FAIR to be known as the FAIR-FS. The assessment will reflect the new Language Arts Florida Standards and will provide a Probability of Literacy Success (PLS).

The state of Florida will be providing training to select personnel throughout the summer, however, you can get a head start on learning what the new changes to the assessment are and what this means for your instruction.

Download the Webinar Training PPT

Download the FAIR-FS Fact Sheet

Stay tuned for additional information as it becomes available!

Oh SNAP! Making students Serious aNd Accountable for their Progress...

Reading teachers in grades 3-5 met today to establish our learning community's data wall (photos to come!). I encourage you to develop a "student friendly" version of this tool for your classroom in order to help make students accountable for their progress.

A Pinterest search revealed some creative, classroom friendly ways to display data respectfully in your classroom. Take a look and see if you get inspired!

Click HERE to visit Ms. Chapman's Data Wall board on Pinterest!

Assessment with Exit Tickets

Check out this fantastic video from the Teaching Channel on assessment with exit tickets.

PARCC is coming! Be in the know!

After the 2013-1014 school year, the FCAT will be no more. It will be replaced with the PARCC which is being developed as the assessment piece for the Common Core Standards in Florida. Check out the official website for the PARCC assessment to find out important information about what is to come so that we will be ready to prepare our students for what is expected.

http://parcconline.org/