Today during our staff development, we will be covering two different test prep options. Below is information that we will go over, as well as some links and handouts for future reference.

Most teachers got an email from Violet with this link. This is the PRACTICE test for NSCAS. This is helpful for the kids to get a feel for the software and how the test will look. 

Helpful Hint: Use the web browser LINK HERE, instead of using the lockdown browser (in the desktop) for the kids to practice with. The only reason? When your kids take the practice test in the lockdown browser, they CANNOT EXIT until they have finished the test. It is 20 questions. This is the same for you; if you want to just go in to see what it is like, using the lockdown browser forces you to take the entire test. Just FYI.
Username: ne
Password: Practice

C4L is no longer an option, but the website/software TestWiz is its replacement. You an access it HERE. When you get to this screen, you will have to log in. Your username should be your gpsne email. Most teachers will have to click the "forgot password" button to reset their password. Once you are in the system, you can create tests and quizzes. There is a significant bank of questions that are aligned to subjects, subsections, and NE standards. HERE IS A DOCUMENT with screenshots that will walk you through the process of setting up a test. 

The reason we are using this software is that it would be a great tool to use to create common assessments OR for us to create assessments that we can use for data points.

​We will discuss assigning the tests to classes and printing out test tickets next week. :) 

Happy Monday! I've been reading some books from my Scholastic Book Fair Preview Pack (here's looking at you Live in Infamy) ​and trying to catch up on some other middle grade reads. 

Current Read: Girl in a Bad Place
This was a book at our fall book fair, and it was fairly popular. I didn't pick it up then, but saw it at my local public library over the weekend and decided to give it a try. I started it last night (during the Super Bowl) and the next thing I knew I was a 100+ pages in. Really good start and interesting premise: Mailee's best friend Cara has been having a hard time lately. So when she wants to go visit The Haven, a compound where people live off the land, Mailee agrees. But now Mailee is worried there is something bad going on, and she needs to try to convince Cara before it's too late.

Recent Reads: I am Alfonso Jones and Overturned
These two VERY DIFFERENT reads were both good in their own ways. I read Overturned because I was hoping to find read-alikes for my students who love the Natural series. This is a good fit; gritty, murder mystery with a feisty main character. Highly recommend. I am Alfonso Jones is a graphic novel that tackles the history of the Black Lives Matter movement. I read this for this month's #yabookchat Twitter chat. It is a good introduction to the topic and does not have any language or sexual content that might be a concern for some collections. Recommend.