April Virtue: 

Patience- the power to wait peacefully

"Even a snail will eventually reach its destination." 

-Gail Tsukiyama

End of Year Benchmarks: DIBELS and Into Math Testing- 

April 27- May 8th

Very soon students will undergo DIBELS and Into Math testing, this is the state progress monitoring of your students ability within their grade level. These tests are completed one-on-one with each child in the classroom or individual on the computer. It will give us a good picture of where your child stands and if they are going to need additional support going forward. As always with testing, please remind your child the importance of trying their best and being polite and considerate towards others who may be testing. You will receive their updated scores in a few weeks (once testing is complete) to see how much they have improved!

Important Information About First Grade State Testing

Our state assessments are scheduled from April 27th through May 8th. During this time, our first graders will participate in both DIBELS testing and the Into Math Benchmark Test.

Why This Testing Is Important

These assessments are designed to help us gauge your child's current skills and readiness for the next grade level. The information gathered will provide valuable insights into their academic progress and will be shared with their second grade teachers. Your child’s performance helps us identify strengths and areas for continued growth as they transition into second grade.

How You Can Support Your Child

Punctuality: Arriving at school on time each day is crucial. A prompt start helps your child settle in and reduces any anxiety about missing important instructions.

Rest and Nutrition: A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast can make a big difference. Ensure your child is well-rested so they can focus during the tests.

Effort Over Perfection: Encourage your child to try their best. Remind them that doing their best is what truly matters, and every effort counts in showing what they have learned.

Skills that the tests cover:

Reading Skills (DIBELS):

Letter Recognition: Practice identifying and naming both uppercase and lowercase letters.

Phonemic Awareness: Sound out letters and blend sounds to form simple words.

Sight Word Recognition: Reviewing common sight words and recognizing them quickly.

Basic Comprehension: Reading short sentences or simple stories and asking questions to ensure understanding.

Into Math Benchmark Test:

Number Sense: Recognizing number patterns, sequencing numbers, and counting both forwards and backwards.

Basic Computation: Simple addition and subtraction problems using number, objects or visual aids

Comparing Numbers: Knowing which numbers are greater or smaller and make simple comparisons

Geometry and Shapes: Identify and name basic geometric shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles. Discuss their features and how they appear in everyday life.

Problem-Solving: Engage in simple, real-world math puzzles or scenarios that encourage logical thinking and application of basic math skills.