Free Reproducibles
Test-Specific Thinking
Teaching Students to Think the Way Tests Make Them
In Test-Specific Thinking, the authors provide recommended practices, methods, and means for educators to implement structural schemas into teaching, helping students better prepare for tests and formulate stronger responses to certain question frames. Armed with a better understanding of how tests are designed, teachers will increase their students’ chances of success with higher achievement scores and greater confidence when taking standardized exams.
Benefits
- Examine recurrent structural patterns common in English and mathematics assessment questions
- Break down sample test questions to identify the skills or response a certain frame seeks
- Incorporate test item structures into classroom teaching to better prepare students as test takers
- Develop and design assessments that familiarize students with the frames they will encounter on external exams
- Boost student confidence and increase performance on standardized tests
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction: Revealing an Inconvenient Truth
Chapter 1: Understanding Test-Specific Thinking
Chapter 2: Connecting ELA Item Frames to Academic Content
Chapter 3: Using ELA Item Frames in Classroom Instruction
Chapter 4: Connecting Mathematics Item Frames to Academic Content
Chapter 5: Using Mathematics Item Frames in Classroom Instruction
Chapter 6: Supporting and Integrating the Use of Item Frames
Chapter 7: Leading Item-Frame Usage at the School and District Levels
Epilogue: Pulling Back the Curtain
PRINTABLE REPRODUCIBLES
Chapter 7: Leading Item-Frame Usage at the School and District Levels
- Sample Student Survey Questions
- Form to Analyze Student Errors
- Evidence Chart and Observation Scale
- Teacher Reflection Tool
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
Books
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., & Many, T. W. (2010). Learning by doing: A handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (2nd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T. W., & Mattos, M. (2016). Learning by doing: A handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (3rd ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., Many, T. W., Mattos, M., & Muhammad, A. (2024). Learning by doing: A handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work (4th ed.). Solution Tree Press.
- DuFour, R., & Marzano, R. J. (2011). Leaders of learning: How district, school, and classroom leaders improve student achievement. Solution Tree Press.
- Marzano, R. J. (2017). The new art and science of teaching. Solution Tree Press.
- Marzano, R. J. (2018). Making classroom assessments reliable and valid. Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., & Abbott, S. D. (2022). Teaching in a competency-based elementary school: The Marzano Academies model. Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., Aschoff, A. S., & Avila, A. (2022). Teaching in a competency-based secondary school: The Marzano Academies model. Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., Dodson, C. W., Simms, J. A., & Wipf, J. P. (2022). Ethical test preparation in the classroom. Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., & Hardy, P. B. (2023). Leading a competency-based secondary school: The Marzano Academies model. Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., & Kosena, B. J. (2022). Leading a competency-based elementary school: The Marzano Academies model. Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., Norford, J. S., & Ruyle, M. (2019). The new art and science of classroom assessment. Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., & Simms, J. A. (2014). Questioning sequences in the classroom. Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., Warrick, P. B., & Acosta, M. I. (2024). Five big ideas for leading a High Reliability School. Marzano Resources.
- Marzano, R. J., Warrick, P. B., Rains, C. L., & DuFour, R. (2018). Leading a High Reliability School. Solution Tree Press.
- Marzano, R. J., Yanoski, D. C., Hoegh, J. K., & Simms, J. A. (2013). Using Common Core standards to enhance classroom instruction and assessment. Marzano Resources.
Websites
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
