Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test: Four Steps to Better Scores for Teachers of All Levels [Paperback]

Jane Bell Kiester (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000

Jane Bell Kiester is back with more classroom-proven techniques that make you look good. This time, she takes the dread out of the state writing assessment test -- and you and your students win!

With four easy steps, students improve their scores. Includes 41 reproducible student samples for elementary, middle, and high school levels. Jane's 'can - do' attitude prevails -- and you will too!

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Don't leave your students' scores on state writing assessment tests to chance... Here's four classroom-proven steps to better scores for all levels." -- Better Teaching newsletter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Jane Kiester is the author of the popular Caught’ya books: Caught’ya! Grammar with a Giggle; Caught’ya Again! More Grammar with a Giggle; The Chortling Bard! Grammar with a Giggle for High Schools; and Elementary, My Dear! Grammar with a Giggle for Grades 1, 2, and 3, all published by Maupin House. Teachers all over the country also use the new edition of her third book, Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test, to help improve their students’ scores on state writing assessment tests. Jane currently is writing three new books.

In addition to writing books, Jane has given hundreds of workshops to fellow teachers around the country for the past ten years. Her subject? The same as in her classroom where she happily has taught elementary or middle school for over 30 years -- teaching students to write well.

In her three decades as a classroom teacher, Jane has served many years as various Department Chairpersons and Grade-level Chairperson. She is also a past President of the Alachua County Teachers of English. Jane has been recognized three times by "Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers." In 2002 she won Teacher of the Year for her school and Middle School Teacher of the Year for her county.

Product Details

• Paperback: 157 pages
• Publisher: Maupin House Pub; 2nd edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929895363
• ISBN-13: 978-0929895369
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #631,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jane Kiester is the author of the popular Caught'ya books: Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle; Caught'ya Again! More Grammar with a Giggle; The Chortling Bard! Grammar with a Giggle for High School; Giggles in the Middle: Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for Middle School; Eggbert, the Ball, Bounces by Himself: Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for First Grade; Putrescent Petra Finds Friends: Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for Second Grade; and Juan and Marie Join the Class: Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for Third Grade (these last three were formerly Elementary, My Dear! Caught'ya! Grammar with a Giggle for Grades 1, 2, and 3), all published by Maupin House. Teachers all over the country also use the new edition of her third book, Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test, to help improve their students' scores on state writing assessment tests. Jane's newest book is Teach Spelling So It Sticks! Quick and Clever Ways That Work for Grades 4-8. In addition to writing books, Jane has given hundreds of workshops to fellow teachers around the country for the past ten years. Her subject? The same as in her classroom, where she happily taught elementary or middle school for more than 30 years -- teaching students to write well. In her three decades as a classroom teacher, Jane has served many years as various department chairpersons and grade-level chairperson. She is also a past president of the Alachua County Teachers of English. Jane has been recognized three times by 'Who's Who Among America's Teachers.' In 2002 she won Teacher of the Year for her school and Middle School Teacher of the Year for her county.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource!, August 4, 2000

By 

Ms. Susan Loudin Clark (Stuarts Draft, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test: Four Steps to Better Scores for Teachers of All Levels (Paperback)

Keister, well-known to many English teachers as the author of the Grammar with a Giggle series, has written a helpful handbook for those of us who are faced with assessment testing. Although she teaches middle school, her activities and strategies would work well in my high school classroom. She has also included modifications and suggestions for elementary students. Keister focuses on specific skills that will raise test scores considerably. For example, one skill she hones in on is the use of strong verbs. At first this seems nit-picky, but I know from experience that using vivid words can make up for a multitude of writing sins on the state writing tests. Another skill she discusses is writing the five-paragraph essay. This focus has improved my own scores on the Standards of Learning writing assessment we have here in Virginia. She provides a huge listing of practice writing prompts, a godsend to a busy English teacher. Nearly half the book is devoted to examples of student responses to state writing prompts and the score they earned. Keister emphasizes, and in my experience rightly so, teaching the students the evaluation system used in assessing their writing. The examples of student writing and the score they earned is a blessing to me as I never had enough examples to discuss with my class, let alone scored examples. The only quibbles I had with the book are minor. Keister teaches in Florida, and their rubric is different than ours here in Virginia. The differences are minor and can be compensated for. Also the organization of the book was troublesome for me. I found I had to read the entire book to get a sense of where things were located rather than use the table of contents to find specific activities or skills. My book has lots of Post-it notes sticking out of the top to mark the great ideas I want to use this year. Overall I would say that the book is a must-have for any English teacher who wants easy, time-efficient ways to score higher on state writing assessments.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better scores for writing tests, June 8, 2000

By 

Carole A. Barling (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test: Four Steps to Better Scores for Teachers of All Levels (Hardcover)

I have used this book in my classroom for two years, and 97% of my average eighth grade students scored a 3 or above on the state writing test. My students love the activities in this book. I liked the four step approach to writing that students can easily understand. Furthermore, there are great strategies for planning and writing different types of essays. The examples are outstanding, and this book is a wonderful asset for the classroom!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blowing Away Your State Writing Assessment Tests, May 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test: Four Steps to Better Scores for Teachers of All Levels (Paperback)

This book is well worth the price!! I was able to turn average writers into stronger, self confident writers. Students buy into the ideas presented in the book, and take off in their writing. For the students who just need a little boost, for dramatic flair in their writing, this book is the ticket. Start today! Your students and parents will thank you for the metamorphsis they see in student writing. Share with colleagues and you'll be a star.