Grade 1
| Lois Brown | lbrown@lps.org |
| Janis Hiatt | jhiatt@lps.org |
| Kristy Kennedy | kkenned2@lps.org |
| Mary Plageman | mplage@lps.org |
| Cassie Hansen | chansen2@lps.org |
End of Semester Testing in First Grade
We are nearing the end of the first semester. During the next few weeks first graders will be assessed on many skills. We will be giving all first graders a District Reading Assessment (DRA). This test is administered individually. Children must pass a Level 8 test to receive a 3 or 4 on the semester report card.
We will also give the Pseudoword assessment individually to each first grader. A pseudoword is a nonsense word. This assessment checks the student's knowledge of basic phonics patterns. This test is given at the end of each semester.
First graders will also be assessed on vocabulary. This assessment requires each student to read a list of words in one minute or less. A list of the Level 5 vocabulary words was sent home earlier in the second quarter. These words are also introduced and practiced during classroom literacy time. However, additional practice at home is very helpful.
Dictation tests are administered at the end of each quarter. This test measures the student's ability to hear and separate sounds in words and represent those sounds with the appropriate spelling. This test is usually given in a small group setting.
As a part of our PLC goal (Professional Learning Community) we will be assessing student's writing ability in the area of descriptive writing. We will give a descriptive writing assessment several times before the end-of-the-year assessment in May.
We assess math knowledge as we finish chapter objectives. However, we will be frequently assessing student's knowledge of the basic facts through ten. This is also a PLC goal. Extra practice at home usually leads to success at school.
It is important for you to understand that when we are testing, we often do not have guided reading groups. However, we plan activities that enhance your child's reading and problem solving during this time.
We appreciate your help and support. Thank you!