Benchmark testing

We've finished our first big round of testing for the year -- only three more to go! Benchmark tests were designed by the district as a quick and easy assessment of students' skills and readiness. They are graded by teachers in schools, so the turnaround is much faster than CSAP. This makes them much more useful to us! These tests, in reading, writing, and math, help teachers know right away what our students' needs and strengths are, which helps us plan instruction. Ask your child about how they think they did! Feel free to talk to me if you have specific concerns. Otherwise, I will let you know the testing results at conferences in October.

We'll take these tests twice more this year, as well as taking CSAP in March. Expect to see substantial growth! It's always amazing how much learning we can pack into a single year.

Ms. LaVenture

Welcome!

Welcome to a brand new school year, to Room 204, and to News from Room 204, our class journal, or 'blog'. I will post news on this page about important upcoming events as well as notes about homework, behavior expectations, and class projects. I would also love to have students contribute articles to this site. Hopefully this blog can become an information source for your family that is even more reliable and easy to access than Friday Folders! Imagine how much paper we could save.....

This page is also linked to our online class photo album (see link to the right, or click here), so students and parents can quite literally see what is going on in class. You'll notice photos from last year's Shakespeare Festival, and soon there will be new albums from this year.

I hope you enjoy using this site as a tool. Please feel free to check back frequently, and don't forget to leave your comments or questions!

Thanks for your support,
Ms. LaVenture and the students of Room 204