Coming soon: MSP!

State testing time is shockingly right around the corner for us!  I can't believe we are there already, but then again, this is the last week of March!  Where has the time gone?

In class we have been practicing weekly for our upcoming MSP because I strongly believe that much of the anxiety around the test comes from "the unknown" where students here this acronym, MSP, and aren't sure what it will be like, what questions they will be asked, how long it will take, etc. and anxiety instantly hits the roof.  With anxiety that high, it's really hard to concentrate on actually taking the test because students are really just trying to take it all in!

As we have been practicing I have noticed that a LOT of our class is REALLY struggling with the reading questions.  The higher level thinking (like inferencing, vocabulary, etc) is a real struggle for our group.  Unfortunately, that is a BIG part of fourth grade that we are continuing to work on and a BIG part of the MSP.  The other big struggle from our group is the lack of persistence in problem solving, both for reading and math.  When students are coming to problems that are unfamiliar, or at first glance are difficult, students completely are shutting down and not even trying.  TRYING to solve the problem is better than leaving answers blank, so please stress that with your student.  The expectation from every student is that they will do their best.   Doing your best is all that I can ask from anyone so that's all that matters.  If you're trying your hardest and REALLY thinking, the MSP shouldn't be something to stress or fret over.

Talk with your student about how they can prepare for the MSP, their feelings and concerns.  If you talk about this with them, please write MSP on their planner for bonus points.