Collaborative Planning To Teach Strategies for the Language of Testing

Abstract

Language underlies learning in school settings. This paper describes a collaborative project to address the language of testing that children need to master to demonstrate their skills on statewide assessments. Two schools developed transdisciplinary teams to focus on the language of testing. School 1 focused on language skills in the area of reading for fifth graders and school 2 focused on language in the area of mathematics for children in the third through fifth grades. The methods and materials used are described in detail. Resources are provided that can be used to help children learn vocabulary and strategies needed for success on statewide assessments.