NYS ELA and MATH Exams

Newfane Elementary School

April Newsletter

NYS ELA and MATH Exams:

The Elementary School will be proctoring ELA and Math exams for grade 3 and grade 4 students on April 14th, 15th, and 16th (ELA) and on April 22nd, 23rd, 24th(Math). Attendance on these days is very important. Please avoid scheduling any appointments or trips during the testing period. It is always best for students to take the tests with their classmates during the regular administration dates. However, if your child is sick, please use your best judgment to determine if your child should stay home. You know your children best.

As a parent, encourage your child to do their best! Keep the discussion relaxed and as stress free as possible. Encourage your child to get a good night sleep and to eat a healthy breakfast on the mornings of the exams. Send them off in the morning with a good luck kiss and let us do the rest. Thanks for all of your support in this matter!!!

Report Card Revisions:

The report card committee continues to meet to make revisions to our report cards, grades 1-4. The new report cards will be aligned with the Common Core Learning Standards for ELA and Math. Below is a sample of how the grade 3 math section will look next year. As you can see the new report card allows teachers to accurately report student progress toward meeting grade level standards.

OLD REPORT CARD NEW REPORT CARD

MATHEMATICS
Effort
Knows number facts
Reasons well in problem solving
Understands skills being taught at this time
Works accurately
Completes assignments on time
Mathematics
Number & Operations – Base Ten & Fractions
Rounds whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100
Adds within 1000 with and without regrouping
Subtracts within 1000 with and without grouping
Plots fractions on a number line
Identifies and generates simple equivalent fractions
Compares and orders fractions with like numerators or denominators
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Multiplies fluently up to 10 x 10
Divides fluently within 100
Solves multi-step word problems using addition and subtraction
Solves multi-step word problems using all four operations
Measurement & Data
Tells and writes time to the nearest minute
Solves word problems involving elapsed time
Represents and interprets data using bar graphs and line plots
Shows how area and multiplication are related using a model
Solves real world problems involving area
Solves real world problems involving perimeter of polygons
Geometry
Describes and analyzes shapes and their attributes

Panther Chase, Fit Fest & Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ:

Mark your calendars – our annual Panther Chase and Fit Fest are scheduled for MAY 15th. That’s right, this year BOTH events will be “run” on the same day. The Panther Chase will begin at approximately 9:30am with the fourth grade race. The third grade race will begin at 9:45; second grade at 10:00, and first grade at 10:15.

The Fit Fest is scheduled to begin at 5:30 and run through 8:00pm. This year the Sophomore Class will be sponsoring a Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ. Food will be available for pre-sale after break. Families can take the food home or eat in before the festivities. Watch for a BBQ flyer and order form.

As with past Fit Fests we will have sports clinics run by our varsity sports teams, fitness challenge stations, fitness crafts and healthy snacks available. We will also be running Health and Wellness Fair in the library. We will have representatives from local foundations available to provide information to our families on how we can live a fit and healthy life. Finally, from 7:00-8:00pm will be treated to a fun, and fit focused assembly performed by FreshStart Fitness. This assembly will be a high energy and interactive show that teaches about fitness and nutrition. Thank you Newfane PTSA for providing the funding for this program!

AVID Update - INQUIRY

Critical thinking and questioning is an important component to our curriculum and instruction at the Elementary School. Through our AVID training teachers have learned instructional strategies to help students to better understand why asking questions is vital to learning. In all classes and grades at the Elementary School teachers are talking to students about asking and answering LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, and LEVEL 3 questions. Each level of question requires different skills and a different thought process. Below is a brief description of each level of question as well as a graphic that we are using in our classrooms to teach levels of questioning.

What are the levels of questions?

Level 1 ― Gathering Information – RIGHT THERE QUESTIONS

Level 1 questions can be answered right in the text – for example, Who are the characters in the story? What type of cloud produces rain? What year did the Civil War begin? Although these questions require the least about of thinking – they are important. A student needs to comprehend the basic information before they can build on their knowledge and work at a higher level.

Level 2― Processing Information - INFERRING

Level 2 questions ask students to think about the text and then make an inference – to compare and contrast information or explain why something has happened – for example, Compare how the character changed from the beginning to the end of the story. Explain why the setting of the story is important to the plot. Classify each animal into one of the five kingdoms. Level 2 questions are very challenging to create and to answer. We spend a lot of time working in this level of thinking.

Level 3― Applying information – OFF THE PAGE QUESTIONS

Level 3 questions require students to make judgements and evaluate information. At this level they are making predictions based on evidence. They are creating new thoughts by using information they have learned – for example, Evaluate which choice is better for you and our school. Predict how the story would change if Cinderella did not meet the fairy godmother. Pretend you were General Lee, what would you do differently with your leadership in the Civil War?

IMPORTANT DATES

April 14-16 – Gr. 3 & 4 ELA Exams
April 17 – PTSA Movie Night and Book Fair @ the MS
April 22-24 – Gr. 3 & 4 MATH Exams / May 5 – Gr. 2 Field Trip to Artpark
May 13 – PTSA Meet the Candidates Night @ Elementary Café
May 15 – Panther Chase, Fit Fest, Chicken BBQ
May 19 – Budget Vote
May 22-25 - Memorial Day Recess
May 26-28 - Gr. 4 Science Performance Exam
May 29 – Elementary Art Show / June 1 – Gr. 4 Science Written Exam
June 3 – Veteran’s Luncheon (Student Senate)
June 4 – Gr. 4 Chorus Assembly and Evening Concert at the MS
June 5 – Gr. 2 Swim Meet (TENTATIVE)
June 10 – Gr. 3 Field Trip – Burt Reservoir
June 12 – Gr. 3 Swim Meet (TENTATIVE)
June 15 – Gr. 4 Field Trip to Erie Canal
June 18 – Field Day
June 19 – Gr. 4 Swim Meet (TENTATIVE)