Study Island to the Rescue

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Study Island to the Rescue

• By Jannean Muehlfeld

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Before Study Island

• Teacher made material and textbook resources were
  utilized, but we had to make copy after copy
  after copy.
• Students were taught as a whole class, not
  allowing for individuals to press ahead.
• Students thought ISAT was a very Tough Test and
  dreaded the day it came.

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Introduction of Study Island

• Our principal, Mr. Fulk, and a few of the
  teachers in the district found out about Study
  Island during a workshop. A program that will
  take the ISAT prep material and present it to the
  student in an individual format. WOW! We were
  excited about this.

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Spring 2004

• District 105s Board of Education approved the
  purchase of a site license based on the
  presentation of Amy Seelman, District Technology
  Coordinator.
• A few teachers were brought on board to try the
  program out with their students. They became our
  pioneers.

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School Year 2004-2005

• The use of the program was hit and miss that
  first year. Not a lot of people wanted to figure
  out how to use the program. However, those that
  did use it, shared their experiences with the
  other teachers.

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School Year 2005-2006

• The third grade teachers at our school discovered
  the benefits of Study Island. One teacher,
  Melanie Brink, would bring her class into the lab
  at least 3 times a week for 1/2 hour. She
  explained, There was a marked difference in the
  test scores of those who did Study Island and
  those that didnt. I am a believer. Study Island
  really works.
• Besides the test scores, Mrs. Brink noticed that
  her students had more confidence when it came
  time to take the test in the spring. She
  attributed this confidence to having been exposed
  to similar questions on the Study Island screen.

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School Year 2006-2007

• Every year, more and more teachers jumped on
  board the Study Island website.
• During the 2006-2007 school year, the whole
  school participated in an ISAT theme ALOHA.
  Everyone went tropical decorating hallways and
  wearing grass skirts at the first annual ISAT
  assembly.

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A.L.O.H.A.

• A Always Do Your Best
• L Listen to Directions
• O Only Choose the Best Answer
• H Have High Expectations
• A (Remember ISAT is) A Team Effort

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ISAT Is Now the Fun Test

• Students no longer dread the ISAT test and
  Teachers feel like the students are better
  prepared.
• Prior to ISAT, the students are pumped up with an
  assembly and then after ISAT, they celebrate.

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Earning Ribbons

• Students have learned how to use the lessons,
  explanations, and review of missed questions to
  earn more ribbons.
• Study Island questions arent easy, but the
  format of the program allows the students to
  learn as they go.

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Keys to Successful Usage of Program

• Students must have time to work with the program
  whether it is in the computer lab, on the
  classroom computer, or at home.
• Those that use the program at home do better on
  the ISAT than those who dont.
• Students must utilize the resources available to
  them if they struggle with the questions.
• Objective Lessons
• Explanations for Wrong Answers
• Messaging Questions to the Instructor
• Students must see the benefits of the program
  from their point of view.

• Teachers must allow students time to use the
  program whether it is in the computer lab, on the
  classroom computer, or during whole class
  discussion.
• Teachers must utilize the resources available to
  them.
• Objective Lessons and Worksheets
• Messaging Responses to their students.
• Messaging can be used to answer questions or to
  encourage the students. There is no doubt that
  students love to get messages from their
  teachers.
• Assigning Specific Objectives and Checking
  Results.

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A Students Story

• Study Island has helped me a lot so far
  on studying for the ISAT. Since Study Island I
  have understood the topics better. When I was in
  3rd grade I did Study Island but not a lot. When
  I took the ISAT, I didnt understand the topics
  so much. In 4th grade I finished Study Island and
  when I took the ISAT tests I understood the
  topics much better.
• One Subject in school that I think I
  have a hard time with is reading, and Study
  Island helped me understand it better. I think
  Study Island is an awesome way to study for the
  ISAT.
• Abby - 6th Grade Student at Wm. Holliday

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District 105 Study Island Quotes

• Principal, Mr. Bill Fulk, Thanks to the
  similarity between the question style on Study
  Island and the actual ISAT, students are able to
  get comfortable with the state testing format. 
  This helps to reduce test anxiety during ISAT
  week.
• 6th Grade Teacher, Mrs. Amanda Braun, I often
  have parents ask me, What could I be doing at
  home to help my child? My answer is utilize
  Study Island.  Study Island is aligned with the
  state learning standards, and therefore with the
  6th grade curriculum. 
• 4th Grade Teacher, Mrs. Robin Ibel, Study Island
  helps students to not only see their successes on
  areas they have mastered, but  also allows them
  room to grow and learn.

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School Year 2007-2008

• This year, we are hoping for even better results
  for several reasons.
• We have discovered the use of assignments and how
  easy it is to pull reports showing the results.
• We are using these reports to identify the
  objectives that the students find more difficult.
  We then use the printable worksheets and online
  lessons to teach/reteach the objective as a whole
  class.
• We are encouraging students with Class Notes and
  the built in messaging system.
• Every year we discover something new and wish we
  had known it the year before.