Review Math Practices. Direct students to the Midyear Test Review page in the Student Guide. Tell students that they are going to take a short test on the skills and concepts that they have learned so far in third grade. The short vignette and Questions 1–3 in the Student Guide will help students think about the Math Practices Expectations they will focus on during this assessment.
To begin this lesson ask students to work with a partner to discuss how they would help Sam think about the Math Practices using Questions 1–2 to guide their thinking. After they have had time to work on their responses, use Question 3 to provide an opportunity for them to share what they learned that will help them as they take the Midyear Test.
- Look at the Math Practices page. What can you do to make sure you understand what you are being asked to do in a problem? (Possible response: You need to read each part of the problem carefully so you know what you are being asked to do. You also need to think about the meaning of each number in the problem.)
- What are some tools that we use in math class that might help you as you are working on the test? (Possible response: You can use any tools that we use during class, like rulers, clocks, number lines, base-ten pieces, and counters. You can also use pages in the Reference section of the Student Guide such as the Addition Strategies Menu and Subtraction Strategies Menu.)
- As you are working, what are some strategies you can use to make sure your answers make sense and that your calculations are correct? (Possible response: You can use estimation to see if your answer is reasonable. You can check your calculations using another strategy, or you can check your work using another method. For example, you can check your subtraction by using addition.)
- Some problems will ask you to explain your thinking. What should you remember to include that shows someone else what you are thinking? (Possible response: You can use words, pictures, and number sentences to show how you solve a problem. You should also label your numbers to show what they mean.)
Complete the Assessment. Students take the test individually. Although it was designed for just one class session, you may choose to give students more time to complete it.
Ask students to follow the directions for each item. Ask some of them to tell how they solved the problem. Encourage students to give full explanations for the problem-solving process used.
The first part (Questions 1–8) consists of addition and subtraction problems. They are included in the test to assess students' fluency with multidigit addition and subtraction. Encourage students to use the Addition Strategies Menu and Subtraction Strategies Menu in the Reference section of the Student Guide as they solve these problems. Have base-ten pieces readily available for students to use as needed.
The second part of this test includes problems that cover a wide variety of skills and concepts. If you have skipped lessons, you may choose not to use certain items.
Use the Midyear Test Assessment Master to assess concepts and skills studied in Units 1–8. As with all such cumulative assessments, it is only one indication of a student's progress and should be read in conjunction with other data such as observations, written work on extended response questions, and documentation of student progress on Expectations.
The overall score on the Midterm Test can be used to provide a broad-brush view of a student's progress. However, the test is better utilized to give information about specific areas of interest and concern. The questions on the test can be matched with specific Key Ideas and Expectations within content strands. See Figures 1–2.
Isolating the answer to specific questions can contribute to a more robust picture. Use the Feedback Box and Questions 1–2, 6–8, 10 and 12 to assess students' abilities to read and understand the problem [MPE1]; choose good tools and strategies [MPE2]; check for reasonableness [MPE3]; check calculations [MPE4]; communicate solution strategies [MPE5]; and label answers [MPE6].
