STAAR testing continues this week

Students across El Paso are in for another round of testing for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness program.

Beginning Monday, students in grades 3, 4, 6 and 7 will be tested in Mathematics and Reading. End of Course testing includes Algebra I, Biology and U.S. History, English III, Science and Social Studies.

ABC-7 went to local schools as campuses helped their students prepare for the big exam.

While many classrooms have been preparing since the start of the school year, the week leading up to the STAAR test was all about having some fun and reviewing material.

At Escontrias Elementary School, teachers focused on collaborative learning through out the year.

The method is used so students can work in groups and also learn from one another.

In one classroom, students were put into groups and the class played their own version of Jeopardy.

“I like it because it’s a fun way to learn and you also get points for your team,” said Skylar Kessler, a fourth grader at Escontrias.

“We decided to collaborate to incorporate Jeopardy to help them with the reading stategies, to help them with the questions that will come up,” said Glenda Peterson, a fourth grade teacher at Escontrias.

Peterson said it can be boring to open up a workbook and go through all the review questions.

“The kids really enjoy the games and working with one another, they feed off each other and get ideas,” Peterson said.

“It really helps bring out their intelligence.”

At Chester Jordan Elementary School, the teachers also got in on some fun activities like tug-of-war during a pep rally last week.

ABC-7 spoke with students who said they are ready for this week’s testing.

One third grader said he spent extra time reviewing material he learned at the beginning of the school year to help him prepare.

“I kinda forgot a few stuff like expanded notation, so when my teacher reviewed with me, I got a little more confidence,” said Khaleb Campos, a third grader at Chester Jordan.

Alta Vista Elementary School had its own rally last week for its students, which included dancing and lucha libre wrestlers.

Esteban Corral, a fifth grader at Alta Vista said his teacher has been helping the entire class get ready for the Science exam.

Corral said the best advice he has been given is to “stay calm, stay focused and don’t fall asleep during the test.”

The STAAR program was implemented in spring 2012 and includes annual assessments for:

– Reading and Mathematics, grades 3-8
– Writing at grades 4 and 7
– Science at grades 5 and 8
– Social Studies at grade 8
– End-of-course (EOC) assessments for English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology and U.S History.