Let's Practice for AzMerit!!

Our State Practice Test
AzMerit Practice Test


Other Excellent Practice Tests

SAGE Practice Test


PARCC Practice Test


SmarterBalance Test

Good Luck!!!

New School Year!!

Welcome to a new school year!! 

     This year we are getting excited about technology. We will be using more technology in the classroom and I am hoping that more students and parents will be visiting the site and finding new ways to learn. 

     Remember that you can always contact me with any questions and concerns!! 
Let's make this a fabulous 2015-2016 school year!! 

Miss Brandt
carmen.brandt@csd83.org

Update for AzMerit!!

Yay! We have rescheduled our AzMerit!

New test days!
April 8th: Writing Test
April 10th: Part 1: Reading and Math
April 13th: Part 2: Reading and Math

Let me know if you have any questions.
623-691-2315

AzMerit Test--March 30!!!

Hello students and family! 

Well, it is finally time. We received information saying that we will be starting the AzMerit test the week of March 30-April 3. Remember that this test is given on the Ipads with keyboards. 

Helpful hints: 

Typing Skills: practice, practice, practice!! I wish I had enough time to teach everyone typing skills, but we do not have the resources or the time to do this.
The website I recommend is Fun To Type. Have the students just practice certain rows, or if they are doing well, have them practice short words.

http://www.funtotype.com/



AzMerit Practice Tests: They have released some practice tests for the students. Click on the link below and find the area on the right hand side that says "Sample Tests". Your student knows how to sign in (we sign in as "guest" and choose the grade level). They should be practicing reading and math. If they would like to give the writing a try that is fine as well.

http://azmeritportal.org/



Other practice tests: The other two practice tests are still available as well. SAGE and PARCC are excellent practice for the kids to give them different kinds of practice with many types of problems.

SAGE:   http://sageportal.org/training-tests/

PARCC:  https://login4.cloud1.tds.airast.org/student/V85/Pages/LoginShell.aspx?c=SBAC_PT



As always, let me know if you have any questions!

Testing, Testing, Testing!

Hello Parents and Students!

Well, I hear ya! Testing is not fun! But with our new state test approaching, I have high expectations for our kiddos.

Our new state test is called the AzMerit Assessment. We will be taking this test on the computers, which is new for our school. Our class has been practicing typing skills, but it is always good to practice at home too. Here are two sites that are great for practicing typing skills.

Fun to Type--our class loves this one!!
http://www.funtotype.com/

Learning Games--also has some excellent games!!
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html


Now with the AzMerit, it is important that we are practicing! Here are some sites to visit to take practice tests. There are some fabulous examples on these sites. Remember to practice Reading and Math. Let me know if you need anything or have any questions about the AzMerit Test.

AzMerit Reading and Math Practice Test: http://www.azed.gov/assessment/azsampleassessmentitems/

SAGE: (similar to AzMerit-Utah version) Reading and Math Practice Test:
http://sageportal.org/training-tests/

PARCC: (Similar to AzMerit) Practice Test:
https://login4.cloud1.tds.airast.org/student/V85/Pages/LoginShell.aspx?c=SBAC_PT

Multiplying by 10s

Hey kiddos! Sorry this was not up sooner, but keep practicing at home!

There are two strategies that we learned in class to solve problems.

Let's take a look at both. 

          60 x 5

Model Strategy

We know that there are 5 tens in 60.
We have five groups of 6 tens in each group. This is done with 10s sticks remember.
When you see this, you should remember that now you can skip count to see how many sticks you drew.

You will skip count 6, 12, 18, 24, 30
There are 30 tens.

30 x 10 = 300
(Strategy on picture, Green strategy below)


Distribute Strategy

The second strategy is do break apart the numbers. This is done by first pulling out the 3 and the 8. 
3 x 8 = 24  
Remember this is 24 tens.
So we are looking at 24 x 10.

Now break apart 24 into a ten.
24= (20 + 4) x 10

Now distribute the numbers throughout the problem (there are two steps--remember 1 and 2)

20 x 10 = 200
4 x 10 = 40

Now add them both:     200 + 40 = 240
(Blue strategy on picture on the side)

Inverse Operations

We are beginning with Inverse Operations.

Inverse Operations/Equations help you solve a problem with an unknown variable. It is an equation that is part of the fact family.

     Variables: letters, shapes, symbols that represent another number.

Add/Subtract
Problem: 4 + R = 10
   
Fact Family: R + 4 = 10
                     10 - R = 4
                     10 - 4 = R

Inverse Operation/Equation:   10 - 4 = R

Now you can find the answer 10 take away 4 = 6. R=6.

Multiply/Divide
Problem: 6 x N = 18

Fact Family: N x 6 = 18
                     18 / N = 6
                     18 / 6 = N

Inverse Operation/Equation:    18/6=N

Now you can skip count to find the answer.    6, 12, 18.     N=3