From the Middle October 2

FAST Bridge Testing:

The past two weeks we have been testing our students with the FASTBridge screener to identify students that are below benchmark in 5th and 6th grade.  This year we are using the CBM-R test to screen students that focuses on fluency.  In the past, Iowa developed a TIER system to monitor student progress in reading.  This past summer, the system was discontinued due to contract and performance issues.  We used the aReading screener last year that looked at fluency and also comprehension with the FASTBridge company.  As a district, we have chosen to switch to the CBM-R screener because it is also how we progress monitor students identified as needing extra supports.  Our interventions will now match the test we use as our screener.  The CBM-R test focuses on fluency and is a good predictor for student success.  As a middle school staff, we are focusing our efforts on identifying specific skills our students need to master to show improvement.  We use our intervention time to work on math and literacy skills.  Some of the reading interventions we are using include Lexia Core, PRESS, Read Naturally, and repeated reading.  In math we are focusing on computation.  However, not all students need this extra skill building so we also offer enrichment activities for those students.

Spotlight of the Week- Ms. Shipp:

Mrs. Shipp is a 7th grade math teacher at New Hampton Middle School.  She is a peer coach that emphasizes grading by standard, use of technology, APL strategies, and PBIS expectations. Mrs. Shipp sets up her classroom to allow for differentiation.  She will have some students that have mastered the standard so she stretches their learning with an IXL project.  This project allows them to go deeper in the topic and learn about topics they will see in 8th grade.  This past year, Mrs. Shipp implemented a Project Based Learning unit on area that was engaging to all students.  Students were asked to create a sculpture based on different shapes and calculate the amount of material needed to do it, surface area, volume, and cost to make.