Since the 2022 STAAR redesign, aka STAAR 2.0, a noted increase in complexity has emerged. Students are asked to think and solve in ways that even cause some adults to pause. Rather than more drill and test prep, a more nuanced approach is needed to ensure student success. Each year's test brings new surprises, and it's necessary for us to equip them with better tools to make sense of the problems. Process standards Instead of prepping them based on what the test looked like l

Since the 2022 STAAR redesign, aka STAAR 2.0, a noted increase in complexity has emerged. Students are asked to think and solve in ways that even cause some adults to pause. Rather than more drill and test prep, a more nuanced approach is needed to ensure student success. Each year's test brings new surprises, and it's necessary for us to equip them with better tools to make sense of the problems. Process standards Instead of prepping them based on what the test looked like l

This post specifically looks at how formulas can be used solve problems involving unit conversions. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here . Formulas Formulas, the fourth TEKS Tool , account for around 10% of each 4th grade STAAR test. These formulas are applied to solve problems and convert units. The main function of a formula is to understand the relationship between quantities. Starting in fourth grade, applying formulas will be a main stay in mathematics f

This post specifically looks at how formulas can be used solve problems involving geometric concepts. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here . Formulas Formulas, the fourth TEKS Tool , account for around 10% of each 4th grade STAAR test. These formulas are applied to solve problems and convert units. The main function of a formula is to understand the relationship between quantities. Starting in fourth grade, applying formulas will be a main stay in mathematics

This post specifically looks at how place value charts can be used to compare/order numbers and understand patterns in multiplication. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here . PlAce Value Charts Place value charts, the third TEKS Tool , account for around 20% of each 4th grade STAAR test. These charts help students understand our base-10 number system. The main function of a place value chart is to show the relationship between place value locations in our numb

This post specifically looks at how place value charts can be used to understand place value and compose/decompose numbers. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here . PlAce Value Charts Place value charts, the third TEKS Tool , account for around 20% of each 4th grade STAAR test. These charts help students understand our base-10 number system, including the introduction of decimals. The main function of a place value chart is to show the relationship between plac

This post specifically looks at how number lines can be used to solve a variety of problems involving rounding, estimation, and the four operations. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here . Solving Problems Number lines, the second TEKS Tool , account for around 20% of each 4th grade STAAR test. Within this tool are many uses: representing and comparing fractions, interpreting number pair relationships, and solving problems involving rounding and the operations.

This post specifically looks at how number lines can be used to explore number pair relationships in real-world scenarios. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here . Number Pairs Number lines, the second TEKS Tool , account for around 20% of each 4th grade STAAR test. Within this tool are many uses: representing and comparing fractions, interpreting number pair relationships, and solving problems involving rounding and the operations. The main function of a numbe

This post specifically looks at how number lines can be used to compare, represent, and show equivalent fractions. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here . Number Lines Number lines, the second TEKS Tool , account for around 20% of each 4th grade STAAR test. Within this tool are many uses: representing and comparing fractions, interpreting number pair relationships, and solving problems involving rounding and the operations. The main function of a number line i

This post specifically looks at how equal groups strip diagrams can be used to solve a variety of problems. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here . Strip Diagram Strip diagrams, the first TEKS Tool , account for around 25% of each 4th grade STAAR test. Within this tool are many variations: part-whole, equal groups, and comparison (the first two being the primary types of strip diagram used). The main function of a strip diagram is to show the relationship betw

This post specifically looks at how part-whole strip diagrams can be used to solve a variety of problems. Read more about TEKS Tools and their rationale here . Strip Diagram Strip diagrams, the first TEKS Tool , account for around 25% of each 4th grade STAAR test. Within this tool are many variations: part-whole, equal groups, and comparison (the first two being the primary types of strip diagram used). The main function of a strip diagram is to show the relationship betwee

Using a modified version of the statewide item analysis report, I examined the readiness standards that had less than 60% mastery. Each standard has both an analysis of the items themselves to infer what made them so difficult and instructional implications for educators to ensure a more successful 2026 STAAR test. Standard # of items % mastery 4.4H 1 41 4.5D 2 41.5 4.2G 2 48.5 4.3D 2 49 4.8C 2 50 4.4A 1 54 4.5A 2 56 4.6D 1 58 Access the slide deck here . 4.4H - 41% overall

This post explains and gives practice opportunities related to TEKS 4.4E : represent the quotient of up to a four-digit whole number...

The 2024 4th Grade Math STAAR continued statewide online testing and several new item types. Using a modified version of the statewide...

The 2023 4th Grade Math STAAR introduced statewide online testing and several new item types. Using a modified version of the statewide...

Data Analysis and Personal Financial Literacy The videos in this post explain mathematics Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill 4.10:...

Data Analysis and Personal Financial Literacy The videos in this post explain mathematics Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill 4.9: Data...

Geometry and measurement The videos in this post explain mathematics Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill 4.8: Geometry and measurement....

Geometry and measurement The videos in this post explain mathematics Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill 4.7: Geometry and measurement....

Geometry and measurement The videos in this post explain mathematics Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill 4.6: Geometry and measurement....