Author Archives: Ms. Pickert

Grammar flashcards

Posted on by Ms. Pickert

Mrs. Davis ordered some of these flashcards, and they were pretty good!

 

http://www.amazon.com/STAAR-Writing-Assessment-Flashcard-System/dp/B005WKJ5KY/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1362514275&sr=8-15&keywords=staar+test+preparation+grade+4

http://www.amazon.com/STAAR-Reading-Assessment-Flashcard-System/dp/B005WKGTG2/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1362514623&sr=8-20&keywords=staar+test+preparation+grade+4

Expository Example

Posted on by Ms. Pickert

The garbage man, my denstist or the quarter back for the Houston Texans all get my blood boiling. They are important people in my life. The person that changes my life everyday and touches my heart is my mom. She loves me unconditionally and will always be at my side.

Mom! The word is so simple but means so much! She is my backbone. When I’m scared, she will always help me. If I’m lost, Mom helps me find the way. But the reason my mom is most important to me is because she helps me with my homework.  Math can be one of my most challenging subjects.  Every day I love to come home, wolf down a snack, and dig into my studies.  When I pull out my math book, I know in just seconds I will find my mom snuggling up close to help me find the answers. She doesn’t tell me the answers she walks me through it. We start with number each time and eventually will end up at 50.  She will questions me, “Jaylynn do you think you did your best?” Math is easier with my mom by myside.Two digit multiplication was my biggest fear. The test was coming up and I felt sick to my stomach. WE spent hours studying books, quizzes, homeworks, interest sites just to help me be prepared.  Days later, I got my test back and aced it. So my mom is important for many reason but the most important reason is she helps me with my Math homework.

So whether I am scared to death, about to pull my hair out with homework or just need a friend, my mom is my most important person.

Expository Example

Posted on by Ms. Pickert

(LEAD)         A special place can be your backyard where all your dreams come true. It may be Space Center of Houston where you met your first astronaut. A special place to me is somewhere I will never forget and can always enjoy.  Some may choose McDonalds or grandma’s house, my special place is the park down the road. There is a quiet little track surrounding the grass with beautiful trees scattered about. When I am at the park, I feel anything is possible.

(BODY)          A park is special to me for many reasons. I can take a stroll around the benches or enjoy a peaceful walk.  The thing that makes this park the most important to me is that it is a place I can relax. I can step onto the track and let my feet do all the work. Thinking about my day, I instantly feel better. Birds will be chirping and little squirrels will scurry across my feet. Or I can jump onto the swing set and feel the wind in my hair. The trees that are scattered about are always calling my name. I love to grab a good book, bring a blanket and nestle myself under my favorite oak tree. In minutes I am at peace and harmony.  And lastly, at the park I am relaxed because it is always a good place to enjoy a fun picnic with a friend. Kitty Hollow Park is my special park. Last week I finished my favorite book, Hatchet, while enjoying a beautiful Fall day. So whether I am just there to get some fresh air or play a game of basketball, the park is my special place because I can always leave there relaxed.
(END IT)        The kitchen, grandma’s house or AMC movie theater are all important places. My special place to me is the park. I love to sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. When I am there, I am my most serene.

Expository Example

Posted on by Ms. Pickert

Jobs are what make us money. It is how we pay for our homes, put food on the table, or buy those fun video games we all love. When I think about jobs that are important I think about authors, teachers, garbage men, but when I think about what I want to be when I grow up I think about a librarian.

Reading is the key to a successful future. I want to be a librarian to have unlimited books at my finger tips or to learn more about authors. But the reason I want to be a librarian the most is to share my love of reading with others. When children come into the library I want to help them find that perfect novel that they will remember for the rest of their lives. I want to show small children how words create pictures in your mind and show them they can love reading too. With adults, it isn’t too late. I can help them find that one non-fiction book to teach them about World War 2.  I love to read and know that as a librarian I can help others to love it too. Mrs. Moore was my childhood librarian. She first introduced me to the Nancy Drew Series. It is because of her that I can’t put a book down. Reading is my favorite thing to do and I think that if I become a librarian I can teach others to enjoy it also.
Jobs are everywhere you turn. At the grocery store you have a manager, a sacker, or the banker.  Even at school you have principal, teacher, or maybe the nurse. When I grow up I want to be a librarian.

STAAR Practice!

Posted on by Ms. Pickert

STAAR Online Practice sites:

Prepdog: A site created by teachers. It has practice questions for all STAAR subjects. The formatting is different from STAAR, but (for reading and writing at least) it has good questions.

http://www.prepdog.com/4th_grade/4th_grade_practice_tests.htm

pearsonlongman.com: It has two pretty good reading practice passages.

http://www.pearsonlongman.com/ae/marketing/sfesl/tests/grade4.html

Reading Sage: This is actually a site for the California State test, but it has some good questions. Not all of the writing ones are over what the Texas writing test covers, so stick to the ones on conventions.

http://reading-sage.blogspot.com/2012/04/star-practice-test-4th-grade-online.html

Motivation Reading and Writing

Posted on by Ms. Pickert

Parents,

I have been using Motivation Reading and Writing for extra practice with kids from time to time. The kids all have the math one, but they don’t have the other two. If  you are looking for some extra practice, I would recommend them! There is not a lot out there for resources, because the STAAR is so new.  We will be practicing A LOT in class, and we are getting together some extra packets for the kids.

Motivation Reading: http://www.mentoringminds.com/products/subjects/reading/motivation-reading/motivation-reading-student-edition.html

 

Motivation Writing:

http://www.mentoringminds.com/staar-motivation-writing-student-edition.html

 

Motivation and stamina are the things we need to work on the most. We are trying to get the kids invested and care about their success. The students need a lot of improvement in working hard on something for several hours. These things will come with time, practice, and encouragement.

 

Take care,

Ms. Pickert