All year I've been telling my students, "practice makes perfect," because it, well, it's true! In our lives outside of school, we practice many things and, fortunately, we are able to chart our improvements on a regular basis in activities like sports and music by way of the many practice scrimmages and rehearsals we participate in. Well, here at school, we've been practicing at improving in our mastery of the Arizona State Standards all year, and our weekly assessments and quarterly report cards have similarly kept us informed of our growth and progress throughout the course of this school year.
But, what we've really been preparing for all year is our one-and-only Big Game: the AZMerit test. Many of us attend sports practices week after week so that we're prepared as best we're able to be for each and every formal competition we have. And, likewise, we attend school all year in order to be able to become prepared, in a competitive sense, for our future successes, both in school and out. But, as it happens, the state of Arizona as established by statute that all public students, beginning in grade three though grade twelve, must, each year, demonstrate their level mastery of the state standards during a given week in April. I like to think of that week, next week in fact, as our Big Game. And, in many ways, it really is the main event that we’ve been practicing for all year.
As I see it, AZMerit is our chance to shine, to show what we know, and, hopefully, to successfully achieve the academic goals that the state has set for us. AZMerit is a win-win for everyone. By doing well as individuals on AZMerit, fifth students have their best opportunity to demonstrate to their upcoming middle school teachers how well-prepared they are for next year’s new material. Likewise, by doing well on AZMerit as a school, Knoles is able to demonstrate its academic excellence to the community.
As I see it, AZMerit is our chance to shine, to show what we know, and, hopefully, to successfully achieve the academic goals that the state has set for us. AZMerit is a win-win for everyone. By doing well as individuals on AZMerit, fifth students have their best opportunity to demonstrate to their upcoming middle school teachers how well-prepared they are for next year’s new material. Likewise, by doing well on AZMerit as a school, Knoles is able to demonstrate its academic excellence to the community.
The bottom line is simple: as a class, we intend to focus on the “wins” this year as we prepare to take AZMerit. I hope you’ll join us in this effort!
Out testing schedule next week is as follows:
Out testing schedule next week is as follows:
- Tuesday morning, April 2 -- Writing test
- Wednesday morning, April 3, -- English Language Arts test 1
- Wednesday afternoon, April 3 -- Math test 1
- Thursday morning, April 4 -- English Language Arts test 2
- Thursday afternoon, April 4 -- Math test 2
- Be present -- If your child is healthy, please make sure he or she is in school on-time every day during the testing period. The state requires that we test every student. Testing always begins first-thing in the morning. Students absent during any testing session must make-up the test they missed when they return to school. But, it’s simpler, more expedient, and of greater benefit to test everyone during the dedicated testing sessions rather than at a different time. If you remove your child from school during a testing session, your child will not be permitted to complete that section when they return.
- Be healthy -- It’s common knowledge, but it bears repeating despite the fact that we all know it: children do better in school, and especially on tests, when they are well-rested and well-fed. Please help your child get to bed early and to eat healthy meals during the testing period.
- Be positive -- Your student will believe all-the-more in the importance of the AZMerit test if you do. Please try to portray a positive and encouraging attitude toward this important event when talking to your child.
- Praise them for their hard work.
- Remind them of how hard they’ve practiced and prepared for this.
- Show them that you’re committed to their success.
- Tell them how proud you are of their accomplishments.
