How Parents Can Help Kids Improve Test Scores

Taking the Stakes Out of Literacy Testing, 2nd Edition

Steven Schneider

Steven Schneider's newly revised second edition of How Parents Can Help Kids Improve Test Scores: Taking the Stakes Out of Literacy Testing highlights the most recent literacy initiatives in America since the federal act of No Child Left Behind. His book has been redesigned to further help teachers and parents navigate through the maze of newly developed state standardized testing in reading and writing, so students may be able to achieve greater success. By using the proactive methods shown in this book and by following easily understood step-by-step instructions, parents and teachers can begin to help their children take the first steps down the road to literacy and to understanding the Common Core language arts subjects.

This book features time-tested activities, suggestions, and a plethora of practical advice to assist teachers and parents in raising children's scores on standardized state reading tests. By utilizing the highly prescriptive “Pinpoint Reading Program,” newly revised in this second edition, parents and teachers will gain new insights into the format, style, and objectives of these tests and how they can assist children to score higher. Most importantly, this book instills the confidence that children need to achieve the success that they rightfully deserve and for which their parents and teachers have come to expect.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 190 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-61048-959-1 • Hardback • December 2013 • $99.00 • (£76.00)

978-1-61048-960-7 • Paperback • December 2013 • $52.00 • (£40.00)

978-1-61048-961-4 • eBook • December 2013 • $49.00 • (£38.00)

Subjects: Study Aids / Study & Test-Taking Skills, Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General

How Parents Can Help Kids Improve Test Scores

Taking the Stakes Out of Literacy Testing, 2nd Edition

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Steven Schneider's newly revised second edition of How Parents Can Help Kids Improve Test Scores: Taking the Stakes Out of Literacy Testing highlights the most recent literacy initiatives in America since the federal act of No Child Left Behind. His book has been redesigned to further help teachers and parents navigate through the maze of newly developed state standardized testing in reading and writing, so students may be able to achieve greater success. By using the proactive methods shown in this book and by following easily understood step-by-step instructions, parents and teachers can begin to help their children take the first steps down the road to literacy and to understanding the Common Core language arts subjects.

This book features time-tested activities, suggestions, and a plethora of practical advice to assist teachers and parents in raising children's scores on standardized state reading tests. By utilizing the highly prescriptive “Pinpoint Reading Program,” newly revised in this second edition, parents and teachers will gain new insights into the format, style, and objectives of these tests and how they can assist children to score higher. Most importantly, this book instills the confidence that children need to achieve the success that they rightfully deserve and for which their parents and teachers have come to expect.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 190 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼

978-1-61048-959-1 • Hardback • December 2013 • $99.00 • (£76.00)

978-1-61048-960-7 • Paperback • December 2013 • $52.00 • (£40.00)

978-1-61048-961-4 • eBook • December 2013 • $49.00 • (£38.00)

Subjects: Study Aids / Study & Test-Taking Skills, Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General

Author

Steven Schneider has been a licensed teacher of literacy in New York serving many schools throughout his career. His teaching experience spans graduate level philosophy of education, content area courses, and children's literature in local area colleges at Manhattanville College and for Long Island University. Currently, he teaches writing, reading and children's literature to undergraduate students at Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction: The Road To Literacy
1. What Are Standardized Tests?
2. Understanding The New Standards
3. Parents Can Make The Difference
4. What To Expect Students Will Encounter on a Standardized Test
5. Taking Another Look
6. The Flip Side of Testing
7. A Quiet Place
8. Pinpoint Reading Overview: Review-Read-Reinforce-Retell
9. The Art of Questioning
10. Pairing and Sharing
11. Note Taking
12. Probing
13. Phonics
14. The Strategic Reader
15. Writing
16. Writing With the New Common Core Standards in Mind
17. Keeping It Positive
18. The Night Before
19. Getting The Results
20. Pinpoint Reading Bibliography
21. E-Books
22. Making Literature Come Alive
23. A Troubleshooting Guide
24. Toolbox: The Top Twelve Skills
25. Useful Websites
26. Final Thoughts
Appendix A: Graphic Organizers, Templates, Forms
Appendix B: Lesson Plans for Short Story: “The Coat My Father Wore”
References

Reviews

A parent-friendly guide filled with expert ideas, suggestions, and activities for improving your child's reading abilities and maximizing their scores on standardized reading tests.
— Richard Bollinger, education consultant

As an early childhood education director, I have seen over the years a greater emphasis placed on assessments and weightier attention being given to the core curriculum and standards for the three- and four-year-old groups. Having a book like Mr. Schneider's would offer parents, even of very young children, appealing and pleasurable techniques to help their own children learn to become better readers, communicators, and writers.

His Tool Box ideas and hands-on, creative, and stimulating activities in each of these areas are inspirational. I can't wait to offer some of his suggestions to the parents at my schools. His usage of anecdotal stories and personal quotes from people that meant so much to him give this book an enlightened edge to a topic that…[is] clearly essential in helping parents and teachers navigate today's educational demands.
— Debra Katz, head start education director

Mr. Schneider's book emphasized the partnership between teachers and parents in helping students to become literate young adults. He speaks of learning, not only to prepare students for standardized tests, but to make students lifelong learners, appreciative of recognizing good written work in others and producing it on their own.

The main content of the book provides the reader with an overview of the skills that need to be mastered in a total literacy program. The contents of each chapter provide a wealth of direction to both teachers and parents with activities that will add to a student's literacy competence.
Bravo on a well written book!
— Steven Schulner, elementary school teacher and parent