The signs of STAR testing.

Tomorrow and Wednesday of this week are the Reading/Language Arts sections of the STAR test.  The testing period is from 8:00 – 10:30.  This is a long period of time.  Students need to make sure they have eaten good-sized, healthy breakfast.  Breakfasts that are low in sugar and contain some form of protein are best.  Protein (eggs, meat, nuts, tofu) is a great way to give yourself a long-lasting source of energy.

Whenever I had a test growing up, my mom made sure I ate peanut butter toast.  While I didn’t always like it too much (sorry Mom!), I ate it because I knew it would give me the long-lasting energy my brain needed.  She would toast whole-wheat bread and then spread some natural (no added sugar) peanut butter on it. Sometimes now, I just make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Be sure to check the ingredients of your peanut butter though, most peanut butter has lots of added sugar and that’s exactly what you don’t want on a testing morning.  Sugar provides quick energy and then an “energy crash”.

Here is a list of healthy foods we came up with in class:

• Healthy and Long-lasting Breakfast Foods
• Eggs
• Meat (chicken, bacon, sausage, beef, etc)
• Tofu
• Nuts (peanuts, peanut butter, etc.)
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Peanut butter toast
• Beans (black beans, kidney beans, etc.)
• Breakfast burrito
• Yogurt with granola and fresh fruit
• Oatmeal (NOT instant)

Sometimes good breakfast foods are leftovers from lunch or dinner.  Also, make sure you drink water in the morning.  Our brains need both food and water to function well each day!

Here are some additional ideas:

Click here to view the embedded video.

On Tuesday, March 3 all fourth grade students in Union City will be taking California’s fourth grade writing test.  This test is a very small portion of the English Language Arts STAR test for fourth grade students.

All the fourth grade teachers at Pioneer have been working together closely this year on writing.  This week all our classes will be finishing up writing and publishing their Personal Essays.  We will then be working with Pioneer’s writing coach to plan and prepare students for this writing exam.

If you are interested in finding out more about this writing test and past examples, please click on this link to the California Department of Education.