What is this? – Terra Nova is a series of standardized achievement tests designed to assess student achievement in reading, language arts, mathematics, science, vocabulary, spelling, and other areas
The tests will take place in the classroom. A few tests will be completed each morning over the 5 days we have to administer them. We aim to begin the tests promptly at 8:30am. This will last approximately one hour and a half, with breaks at intervals. We will then have a long snack and recess.
Date –Terra Nova will be held from April 27th – May 1st
Extra! In preparation for our upcoming test, please try to find any opportunity to revise the practice papers that are sent home.
What do you need to know?
The most important thing to remember is that these tests do not provide an absolute measure of your child’s understanding but are merely a statistical snapshot of your child’s performance on a particular day. There are many other ways to assess your child’s learning in the classroom and this combined with test scores should give you an overall picture.
Reasons for testing:
- To identify and examine areas of strength and weakness in the performance of students.
- To provide a basis for reports to parents and students.
- To inform teachers of the needs of their students. This helps in working toward increasing student achievement and closing achievement gaps.
In class I encouraged the children to try their very best on these tests, but to take away any stress and upset we have practiced the test format and skills as much as possible to give the children confidence in the area of test taking. We also impressed upon the children that there will questions they will not able to answer and this is expected. The tests have to cover huge spectrum and occasionally there will be some more difficult questions. I explained to them that we will be as prepared as we can by completing class work and by doing daily practice tests until the actual test commences April 27th.
I would be happy to discuss any concerns or questions you have, so please feel free to contact me or come in and talk with me.
Thank you for your support!