Making STAR Happen Daily

1bill.lombard@gmail.com http://mrlsmath.comwww.tttpress.com

“Building mathematical skill on a foundation of understanding”

STAR Testing: Prepare Stress-Free Students and Teachers Easily

A tool to help meet the California Mathematics Standards

presentation by Bill Lombardsome graphics from

http://en.wikipedia.org/http://commons.wikimedia.org

2bill.lombard@gmail.com http://mrlsmath.com www.tttpress.com

I view the STAR test as an

opportunity, not a burden,

since it allows schools and

teachers to focus on the

curriculum contained within the

When I present content in class, the

focus is on concepts first, then

problem-solving and algorithms.

When students can see the big

picture, they have the opportunity to

grasp concepts that lead to future

success in subsequent coursework.

If they only learn how to “push

symbols around a page”, or imitate

the instructor without real

understanding, the scope of their

mathematics is somewhat limited.

Seven Keys to Success

1. Start early

2. Set a clear target

3. Be consistent

4. Make STAR prep part of daily routine

5. Add variety to your preparation

6. Get students to the point of automaticity

7. Confidence in a job well done

Here’s an example of using the STAR 5th

Grade materials – see question 38, which

If N = 4, what is the value of 6 x N – 3 ?

When students are shown only how to

solve this specific problem, they are not as

flexible as when shown how to solve the

entire class of similar problems.

If they are shown only one way to relate to

this problem, their problem-solving

abilities are not as strong or versatile as if

they can see this problem in Multiple

Representations.

1. Let’s set this up in a t-table format.

Since 6 x N – 3 is an algebra expression

that varies according to the value of N,

looking at a series of values brings this

problem into clearer focus.

Our number sense gains strength this way.

2. Let’s use language, the operating

system of our brains:

The pattern in the t-table can be

expressed as, “Starting with – 3, add 6

each time.”

3. Let’s graph it. We can see the rate of

change as the slope.

We can see the starting point as the y-

intercept. Most importantly, we have a

picture.

When we are all done with this problem,

our students have tools to work with for

future problems, not just an answer to a

single STAR question.

It’s important to view a problem within the

larger context, not in isolation.

1. Start early

First week of school is a great time to begin

1. Start early

Good teachers set the classroom climate in the first few days of school

1. Start early

Begin STAR prep with the simplest questions to build the "Can Do" attitude

1. Start early

Begin STAR prep with the simplest questions to build the "Can Do" attitude

You can even begin with questions from a lower grade level

1. Start early

Let students know where to aim

Let students know your expectations

Coaches look at game films of opponents

Share a multitude of potential questions

1. Start early

3. Be consistent

Master the fundamentals

A, B, C, . . .

John Wooden, famous UCLA basketball coach, used to begin each season with showing his players how to properly tie their shoelaces.

3. Be consistent

Students thrive on daily routine

Shawn Johnson competes ––>

3. Be consistent

Toolkit of skills

Four forms of a straight line: slope-intercept, point-slope, standard,

intercept

3. Be consistent

Toolkit of skills

Four forms of a straight line

Six ways to write direction of a line:

m, slope, rate of change, rise/run, y/x, (y2-y2)/ (x2-

3. Be consistent

Toolkit of skills

Four forms of a straight line

Six ways to write direction of a line

Properties of geometric figures

1. Start early

3. Be consistent

Warmup

Homework questions

Warmup

Homework questions

Quizzes/tests

Warmup

Homework questions

Quizzes/tests

Confidence through skill growth over time

SnagIt process of cutting/pasting to make new

materials

1. Start early

3. Be consistent

Build a library of prep materials

2x + 3 = 11

3x + 4 = 25

2x + 3 = 11

3x + 4 = 25

Ax + B = C

PROGRAM: LINEAR: Prompt A: Prompt B: Prompt C: (C – B) ÷ A –>A: Display A

Modify questions

Randy has $100 and saves $20 per week.

In how many weeks will he have $300 ?

Modify questions

Randy has $100 and saves $20 per week.

In how many weeks will he have $300 ?

Randy has $__ and saves $__ per week.

In how many weeks will he have $___ ?

Use templates

Modify questions

Incorporate language

EZ-Write Ideas

What is the key step in this process?

What would you tell a classmate who was absent?

Best done after lesson/activity and a few problems

Modify questions

Backward/Forward Mapping

Grade 4 sample test question

47Grade 4 sample test question

bill.lombard@gmail.com http://mrlsmath.com www.tttpress.com

5th grade STAR test sample

53Algebra 1 sample test question

54Geometry sample test question

55Algebra 2 sample test question

Modify questions

Backward/Forward Mapping

Print and Cut up

Tremendous staff development activity !

Group Project

1. Start early

3. Be consistent

Math facts and concepts

3(x + 5) = 3x + 15

Building blocks

a 2 + b

2 = c 2

What does this really mean?

Building blocks

a 2 + b

2 = c 2

but only in a right triangle !

a 2 + b

2 = c 2

Classic Greek demonstration

a 2 + b

2 = c 2

Algebraic proof

a 2 + b

2 = c 2

Even President Garfield can do it !

Building blocks

State the Quadratic Formula:

Building blocks

If ax 2 + bx + c = 0,

Building blocks

If ax 2 + bx + c = 0,

b b acx

Building blocks

Proof of the Quadratic Formula

“A real mathematical mountain to climb”

Proof of the Quadratic Formula

Takes 9 – 15 steps

Takes several days of constant teacher

attention

Takes modeling in class at least eight

Covers & reinforces many important

concepts

Gives students a real feeling of

accomplishment

Building blocks

Game type format

Four In a Row

– from Simply Great Math Games, Teacher to Teacher Press

Game type format

Traditional Bingo

Game type format

Universal Math Book Bingo

Game type format

The Tax Collector

Game type format

Streets and Alleys

Building blocks

Game type format

Revisit/Reteach/Review

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice, practice, practice . . .

You can’t expect students to

• Learn

• Master

• Remember

concepts & skills when you only do it once !

1. Start early

3. Be consistent

Refine your preparation process

Think, think, . . .

Plan, plan, . . .

Create, create, . . .

Confidence is contagious and builds excitement

Teaching:

the hardest job you’ll ever love

Making STAR Happen Daily

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