MClass Dibels TRC practice

Well... here is one of my latest projects that I am working on in my classroom. We use Dibels (mClass) as a reading assessment for my state. Who loves Dibeling??? Lol!! This task is trying, yet the reports can really tell several things about the students in reading concepts and application. What I have noticed in my third graders that written comprehension (TRC) or their ability to answer "text dependent questions" is a weak skill. I spend a lot of time, teaching my sweeties how to find textual evidence using Runner's Strategy and write their answers in complete sentences (turning the question into a statement and answer the question using the connector words like "because".  I also check out this resource, MClass Reading 3D TRC Written Comprehension using Reading A-Z. by Courtney Eller. This resource is absolutely wonderful!!! It knocks out two things with one stone, fluency practice and written comprehension. Anyone looking for a prepackage resource to help in this area, I encourage you to check this product out.  FYI- the fluency passages are found on www.readinga-z.com .  Math Saavy Teacher

MClass Reading 3D TRC Written Comprehension using Reading A-Z

www.readinga-z.com

Reading stamina

I have been incorporating reading stamina breaks,  based on the daily 5.  My third graders are up to 3 mins,  which is way better than 11 secs *their first score!

Testing Rubric

Here is something I used as a motivator to prepare my 2nd graders to be independent test takers in reading comprehension.  I use this testing rubric to set the expectation for my students and to make it intrinsic for them. This is typically used for a 10 question test but total adaptable to what you do in your classroom.

Level I-  "makes me cry because that you do not understand the skill, time to reteach"

Level II- "makes me sad because you were "one" question from mastery, take your time and read deeply"           

               (look for evidence)

Level III- "makes me smile, because you have an understanding of the skill"

Level IV- "makes me so happy that I stick my tongue out" (I stick out my tongue and do a happy dance 

                in front of the student)

I used this rubric during a student conference with students (independently). I grade their papers using circles to indicate what is wrong. I right "1st attempt" on their paper, beside it is the "number of questions missed". I have students to evaluate their test and tell me their score.  Then my response is "Is this acceptable?" and they have to reply. (All Levels below II have an automatic redo, after 3 attempts, come to teacher table for assistance)

I used this pocket chart as a friendly competition among all students in class.  I encourage them to try very hard to make Level III's and IV's on first attempts. I use this chart to keep up with how they are doing over time. 

Level Red:  Never achieved a Level III or IV on tests on first attempts

Level Yellow: Mostly Level III/IV and some Level II/I on first attempts

Level Green: All Level III/IV on first attempts

Since I have been doing this, my students have "rose to the occasion".  Before the break, I had about 4 students still in the red, they made it a personal goal to make it to yellow. I set the expectations and they truly wanted to make it for themselves.