Released STAAR Tests as a Teaching Tool: Reading

Incorporating reading strategies and test taking strategies into targeted reading lessons

Using released STAAR tests can be a great resource for helping our students prepare for what the big testing day will really be like. However, if your students are like mine, seeing a released test (again) can cause them to "check out". And who could blame them? Reading long passages and answering unending multiple choice questions can be daunting (and boring). In this course, I will describe and demonstrate a few strategies that can help jazz up your reading lessons by incorporating read aloud and comprehension strategies for those days/weeks when you want to expose your student to a release STAAR test.


Your Instructor


Kathryn Monroe
Kathryn Monroe

I am passionately committed to encouraging joy and exploration as the foundation of successful instruction. I strive to integrate the learning process, connect multiple subject areas and incorporate Gardner’s nine areas of intelligence. Through this approach I seek to improve academic achievement for all students by providing high quality, learner-oriented instruction.

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Dallas Baptist University in 2007 and am currently pursuing my Master's in Education. I have taught from Kinder to Fifth Grade in many classroom settings including, self-contained, departmentalized, general education, special education, ESL and bilingual. I served as the content team lead, developed resources, and planed instruction for other school staff in my content area. I have conducted staff professional development on instructional best practices and teaching strategies.


Course Curriculum


  Attitude & Perception
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  Pre-teach the Strategy (Slavin, 2016)
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  Recommended Pacing and Strategies
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  Read Aloud Strategies (alternatives to “round robin”)
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  Re-Read Strategies
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  Assessment
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  Resources
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  Course Evaluation
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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