NAPLAN
What is NAPLAN
NAPLAN tests are standardized tests that are undertaken by all Australian students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests are used as an analysis and evaluation of each student’s abilities in literacy and numeracy skills through reading, language conventions, writing and numeracy tests.
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What is tested in NAPLAN?
NAPLAN tests children on a range of English and Mathematics skills. These include:
• Reading
• Writing
• Language Conventions
• Numeracy
NAPLAN Reading
The Reading component of NAPLAN looks at reviewing a child’s ability to not only read, but to also comprehend or understand what they have read. Children are asked to read a range of different texts – anything from stories to essays to newspaper clippings or magazine articles, and then asked to interpret the reading through a range of questions.
NAPLAN Writing
The Writing component of NAPLAN seeks to determine the capability of each student in writing a passage of text from a provided topic. In the past years, topics have been either of a persuasive nature (where students need to structure a “for” or “against” response to a statement) or of a narrative nature (where students structure an imaginative essay in response to a topic).
NAPLAN Language Conventions
The Language Conventions component of NAPLAN assess areas of English aligned to the Australian Curriculum. This includes things like spelling, grammar and punctuation.
NAPLAN Numeracy
The Numeracy component of NAPLAN measures a student’s skills and understanding of mathematical concepts, in line with the Australian Curriculum. This looks at a child’s proficiency across different types of mathematical problems – number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability.
How can I prepare my child for NAPLAN?
NAPLAN tests differ from other tests in that children cannot prepare for the test in a short amount of time due to the broad nature of the curriculum tested. NAPLAN tests measure skills and abilities that need to be built up over time and through practice. Below are some methods for improving NAPLAN tested skills.
Reading
The best way to prepare for the reading component of NAPLAN would be reading appropriate level texts regularly to develop reading and comprehension skills.
In addition to this, regular reading comprehension question practice can help to improve reading comprehension skills. Recommended texts to improve your child’s reading skills can be found in our previous blog here
Language Conventions
A great way for students to practice language conventions is to identify mistakes in sentences. This can include misspelled words, missing punctuation or incorrect grammar. Make up some sentences for your child to practice this exercise on a regular basis. In addition to this, regular reading can also help during preparation for the language conventions test.
Writing
One method of improving writing skills is by practicing writing every day. This can be done by practicing writing a short essay for about 10-15 minutes every day. You can either prompt your child by giving them topics beforehand or you can allow your child to come up with their own topics. richard mille replica watch Allowing children to come up with their own ideas is a great way to encourage creativity and thinking outside the box. Remember to ensure you choose topics that aren’t only imaginative but also ones that are of a persuasive nature.
Numeracy
Regular practice of maths questions on paper and in real life situations such as using money, telling the time and measuring weights or liquids is a great way to prepare for the numeracy portion of the NAPLAN test. It is crucial that your child can transfer their ability to solve real life maths problems to paper, therefore both problem solving style questions and regular maths questions are vital in your child’s homework routine.
How Lynn’s Learning can assist with NAPLAN preparation
At Lynn’s Learning, we specialise in Maths Tuition and English Tuition to strengthen the skills your child learns at school, and to help identify and re-educate areas that your child may have missed or been weaker in. Part of our programs, particularly for students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9, is to help prepare for NAPLAN. All Lynn’s Learning students sitting NAPLAN will undergo some preparation before the examination dates come around.
For students studying English with us, we aim to assist in preparing for reading and language conventions through varying worksheets created by us to strengthen these areas, and build confidence before sitting the tests at school. English students are also coached in essay structure and given various writing tasks to help boost their writing abilities.
For students studying Maths with us, we assist in preparing for numeracy through varied worksheets created by us. These help with fundamental skills as well as transferring these concepts into application in problem solving / worded questions.
Our NAPLAN preparation process also includes completing practise tests – both untimed and against the clock – to teach children the concepts involved in the exams, as well as teaching them exam time-management.
If you’re interested in more tips, tricks and resources before the NAPLAN tests, get in touch with us today on (03) 9796 8779 for a discussion about your child’s academic needs.