STAAR Test Taking Strategies

Rogene Worley Middle School

2012-13

1.  Take care of yourself

-eat breakfast

-get plenty of rest starting a few days before the test

2.  Read & Re Read the Question

-read the question two times for understanding

-understand what the question is asking before selecting an answer & mark through the information that you don’t need to answer the question

-draw a picture for math or science questions

-pay attention to the “NOT” or “EXCEPT”

3.  Prove/Justify Your answers

-mark out the wrong answers

-justify the right answer

4.  There is only one right answer!

-use your reasoning skills to eliminate the wrong answers

-check your answers when you are done

5.  Your teachers have prepared you for this test. Take a deep breath and do what you do best…succeed! Go get ‘em!

Open House 2013

Join us for Open House on Thursday, Feb 7th from 6-8 pm here at Worley Middle School!

Come out to meet and greet with our entire staff, see and hear performances from our Band, Choir, Theater and Cheerleaders. You will also be able to visit our American History Living Wax Museum, as well as visit with teachers from all subject areas.

We will also offer a $5 bar-b-que dinner for everyone. Just $5 per person! So, there is no need to cook dinner at home. Join us for dinner and Open House!

Your student will be bringing home a flyer on Monday, Jan 28th with all the information listed above

We look forward to see you all!

Are You Ready? Video from MISD

Curriculum Night 2012

On Tuesday 11/27 and Wednesday 11/28, we hosted Curriculum Night 2012.

Our core course teachers shared the instructional expectations of their subject area, STAAR dates and information AND the various modes of instruction used in their classrooms daily. Parents and students heard about the use of PERCEPTUAL MODES in learning and even saw some examples of STAAR test questions from last year's 8th grade ELA test.

Here are a few of the presentations teachers made:

7th Grade
http://prezi.com/8zikcdemqgye/edit/?auth_key=k23jmjr&follow=cc6lc_iqofit
http://prezi.com/q43wg4tsxczt/7th-grade-curriculum-night-science/

8th Grade
http://prezi.com/ftuwgc1l9xoo/8th-grade-math/

http://prezi.com/osl5mdlbyzss/8th-grade-science-curriculum-night-2012/?auth_key=a14e3b0d09b115b2920f6675feabb6b90bd38bde

 

 http://prezi.com/hgvy2c4h2ckw/us-history-more-than-just-old-dead-white-men-/

 

Here are some examples of learning taking place this week in the classrooms at Worley:

 

        Mr. Parker's 8th grade social studies classes participated in a similation of the Constitutional Convention. Students played the part of the delegates and the classroom was even arranged like the Pennsylvania State House was in 1787!

 

In Miss Allen's 7th grade science classroom, students studied matter cycles this week. Here's a sample of one of their hands on activities:

Lastly, here's an example of a math student using her desk as a marker board to subtract integers.

 

Top 10 Things to Ask Your Middle School Student During Thanksgiving Break 2012

Is it a struggle to get your middle school student to share information with you? Well, I've got just the thing for you! Here's my Top 10 List of Things To Ask Your Middle School Student during the Thanksgiving break.

Warning: You may want to ask these questions individually - one at a time, not in rapid fire succession. It has been proven that if we ask a middle school student too many questions back to back...they get confused and start saying "Uhh..I don't know."

Top 10 Things to Ask Your Middle School Student During Thanksgiving Break 2012

10. Can you recite the Worley Tiger Pledge for me?

9. Do you remember your locker number and combination?

8. What’s your favorite class? Why do you like that one?

7. Do you need lunch money added to your account in the cafeteria?

6. Did you want to purchase a yearbook? Do you know which teacher to talk to about ordering the yearbook? (Divona Phillips, Yearbook Sponsor)

5. What’s the name of the last book you checked out of the Worley Library? Did you know that you could go into the library each morning at 8:15 am to use the computers or work on homework? (Must see Mrs. Foulk the day before for a hall pass)

4. How were those Common Assessments last week? How do you feel you did? Were there any tough questions that stumped you?

3. Have you tried to log in to Skyward Student Access yet? Show me that you can.

2. Are there any assignments in your binder, in your backpack, under your bed, on the kitchen table, under your XBOX or in your locker that need to be turned in for a grade?

1. Where is your binder? Is it organized and ready to go for Monday?

Good luck with these questions! If your student starts to get confused by all your questions, step away from the student and offer them some food. After an hour, you should be able to ask them another question.

Enjoy the holiday break!

Order your 2012-13 Worley Yearbook Now!

The 2013 Worley yearbook is now on sale for the lowest price of the year!

The discounted price is only $30, but will go up to the regular price of $35 on Saturday 11-17!

Also remember we ran out of books last year and will again this year. We do not order any extra yearbooks, so you must order now to not only get the lowest price of the year, but to make sure your student receives a 2013 yearbook!

The book will have great photos of your student and their friends! We are focusing this year’s book on getting great coverage of each student!!!

There are two ways to pay. You can turn in a yearbook order form by your student with cash or check to our yearbook staffers before school and at lunch for the next 2 weeks; or pay online at jostensyearbooks.com.

Order forms can be picked up in the main office during school hours.

Please contact Divona Phillips at divonaphillips@misdmail.org  for more information.

Red Ribbon Week 2012 @ Worley

This week has been a whirlwind of lessons and presentations in honor of Red Ribbon Week 2012.

As most people know, Red Ribbon Week is a drug prevention program that is held each year in late October. Students and faculty engage in anti-drug assemblies and advisory type lessons. This week at Worley, we met in advisory classes to hear information how to maintain a drug free lifestyle. Additionally, students participated in an Advisory class poster competition, and an 8th grade Infection Activity/Assembly.

Through 7th grade ELA courses, students heard a story about the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol from one of our teachers - Ms. Grosvenor.

Our goal this week was to engage our students in meaningful lessons about the possible harmful effects of drugs and alcohol on their lives. Please ask your student about the things they learned this week.

Thanks to our STUCO students and advisor, Mrs. Crumby, for organizing this year's Red Ribbon Week. Also, a special thank you to Mr. Ervin and Mrs. Strange for organizing the 8th grade Infection Activity on Thursday. It takes a lot of time and effort outside of the school day to plan a school wide event. These teachers and students deserve a pat on the back!