Discouraged about 4th gr. writing benchmark scores

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Discouraged about 4th gr. writing benchmark scores

by momof2

Nov 13, 2008

I am extremely discourged and am looking for any and all help. My students just took their writing benchmark test today, and the composition scores were absolutely disappointing. I have been using a program that evidently is not working.

Looks like I am going to have to start at the beginning, but I have no idea where to begin. Plus, is it too late?

FYI: I have never taught 4th grade before.

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question On 11/13/08, momof2 wrote: > I am extremely discourged and am looking for any and all > help. My students just took their writing benchmark test > today, and the composition scores were absolutely > disappointing. I have been using a program that evidently > is not working. > > Looks like I am going to have to start at the begi...See More

Nov 13, 2008

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tgs/ga/8 art of it too is the scoring of these types of tests. Is this a school benchmark, or a statewide benchmark? Who is doing the grading, and what is the rubric like? Are you utilizing the same rubrics in class that the benchmark is scored upon? You need consistency in the language and use of benchmarks, and total familiarity with how the writing sampl...See More

Nov 13, 2008

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momof2 On 11/13/08, question wrote: > On 11/13/08, momof2 wrote: >> I am extremely discourged and am looking for any and all >> help. My students just took their writing benchmark test >> today, and the composition scores were absolutely >> disappointing. I have been using a program that evidently >> is not working. >&g...See MoreOn 11/13/08, question wrote: > On 11/13/08, momof2 wrote: >> I am extremely discourged and am looking for any and all >> help. My students just took their writing benchmark test >> today, and the composition scores were absolutely >> disappointing. I have been using a program that evidently >> is not working. >> >> Looks like I am going to have to start at the beginning, >> but I have no idea where to begin. Plus, is it too late? >> >> FYI: I have never taught 4th grade before. > > What did you think of their writing just prior to taking the > test? How did it look to you? Kids can freeze on a test or > not understand the question. Did these results take you by > surprise? > > >> This is where I have failed. I can't really give you an answer about what I thought about their writing prior to today because they really haven't written a full-blown composition until now.

I have been using a program by a Texas teacher who taught 4th grade for 12 years and has increased many schools scores by his program. This program focuses the first 8 weeks on understanding how to prewrite and doing it effectively then working on each individual paragraph (intro, body, concl) along with incorporating ideas, voice, organization, etc. Week 9 focuses on putting a whole composition together. Because I only have 50 min. to 1 hr. to teach writing, I have yet to get to week 9. So I guess all in all, these results were to be expected.

In all honesty, I can see how this program can work. The gentleman who developed it taught in the southern tip of Texas where the majority of his students were ESL and econ. disad. students. Many of the schools who are using his program have gone from 4 fours to 24 fours in one year. But for some reason, I just can't figure out why this program isn't working for me and my students. Am I too anxious? I just don't want to try anything new with them since they have been doing his program for 13 weeks now.

I used the TAKS scoring rubric when I scored their compositions.

Is there any way to fix this problem? Can I still get them where they need to be before the test?

The district I am in has an exemplarary status, and I don't want to be the one who ruins it for the district.

I am extremely stressed to the point it is affecting me physically and mentally. I want writing to be fun and enjoyable for my students, but I don't know how when I don't feel like they have used what I have taught them thus far.

>> >> >> >>

Nov 13, 2008

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Sherman Don't feel bad. In my School 2 years ago only 5 kids passed out of 5 classrooms of 35 students. Are your kids language learners....... then if so be sure they Describe the Scene in detail including sound and sight, smell, etc. , Describe what others are doing and saying, Tell what they are doing and saying, What they are thinking, Use onomonopia, (...See More

Jan 23, 2009

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