Preparation for TerraNova Testing
The TerraNova Test is just around the corner on February 24th and chances are you and your child are stressed. Setting the bar for highest standards, this achievement test will measure K–12 students’ ability in reading, science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, spelling, and more. The top schools in Polk County can help your child build her confidence and test in these subject areas with ease.
The Skill Assessment
The TerraNova Test is published by CTB/McGraw-Hill and comes with various assessments that measure thinking, basic, and applied skills. The tests are generated by achievement scores, mastery scores, and performance-level information that focuses on math, science, social studies, language, and reading with a limited amount of testing time. Here is the breakdown of the test:
Math: Algebra, computation and numerical estimation, number and number relations, problem-solving and reasoning, statistics and probability, patterns, measurement, geometry, and more.
Science: Earth and space science, physical science, science and technology, physical science, history and nature of science, personal and social perspectives of science, and more.
Social Studies: Historic and cultural perspectives, civics and government, economics, and geography.
Language: Writing strategies, sentence structure, and editing skills.
Reading: Basic understanding, oral comprehension, reading and writing strategies, evaluation of meanings, and more.
Practice
Now that you have the breakdown of what the assessment will consist of, it’s time for your child to prepare! Provide him with practice questions and interactive games based on his grade level. Questions can’t be repeated during the actual test. So before he marks, emphasize to your child that he needs to listen to each question and read the instructions carefully. When you practice at home, practice as if he is in the actual test. Don’t repeat the question. You’ll want to monitor and understand his learning and practice process. When he answers, ask him how he came to that answer. During the actual test, he won’t need to explain, but it’s a great way for you to understand his thinking.
Create a practice test that includes questions that cover all the subject areas. Include images for the ones asking about pictures. Some pretend multiple choice questions, include:
What shape is a triangle?
What is 2/10 + 3/10?
What number would you not say when counting to 30?
What image is the third from the left?
Which image shows a child doing a good deed?
What is the next number in the pattern?
If these four colors continued, what color would number 20 be?
Ten rolls of toilet paper cost $13.25. How much does each roll cost?
What is another way of writing 3x(5+6)?
Which of these numbers has an odd digit in the hundreds place?
Make a game out of it by asking the questions aloud. When he answers a question correctly, give him a piece of his favorite candy! Score the practice exam and work with him on he can do better next time.
At the schools in Polk County, we foster an atmosphere of care and an environment of high expectations and effective discipline. To learn more about what makes us different, contact the Office of Catholic Schools at the Diocese of Orlando by dialing 407-246-4800.