Now that standardized tests are a fact of life in every school and classroom, here's a book that explains how to use sample questions from high-stakes tests as the basis for constructing engaging lessons and meaningful learning experiences. Using samples from language arts, science, social studies, and math, Karen Tankersley familiarizes you with the types of questions that are typical to these assessments, explains the skills and knowledge students need to do well, and provides you with lesson ideas, teaching strategies, and learning activities that prepare students to think independently and use their classroom learning while taking year-end tests. Discover why teaching students to perform well on standardized tests goes way beyond rote facts and memorization. Explore word lists, games, discussion topics and testing ideas that encourage students to apply higher-order thinking skills. And get tips and strategies that help you challenge and stretch young minds in ways that ensure assessments become more genuine measurements of daily instruction.