IPT- What is it? How can I help?

Dear NLES Families,

One important task that all Virginia Beach fourth graders complete is called the IPT (Integrated Performance Task). It's a task designed to assess our North Landing students in Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Written Expression. Although it is the fourth graders who officially perform this big task, it is something we can be preparing students for in the years prior.

Essentially, the task requires students to do the following:

1. Read a set of informational articles.
2. Form an opinion about a specific topic.
3. Back the opinion up with evidence from the articles.
4. Express their opinion and evidence through writing.

PHEW! This is not a simple feat. BUT- it is something we can be asking students to think about from a very early age. Asking children to FORM opinions and BACK UP with evidence is something even children in the kindergarten and first grade can do.

If we can get children in this "groove" of thinking, we can prepare them to be our critical thinkers of tomorrow!

So...how can you practice this at home?

1. Present your child with two choices.
2. Ask your child to identify the better choice (their opinion).
3. Encourage your child to provide multiple reasons for forming that opinion (backing it up with evidence).

Here are just a few examples:

• Place two boxes of cereal in front of your child. Ask, "Which one of these is a better, healthier option for breakfast this morning?" Child needs to form an opinion and then back it up with actual words and evidence from the box and label.

• At Busch Gardens, ask your child, "I want to ride the scariest ride here first. What should I ride?" Child needs to form an opinion and then back it up with actual words and evidence from the park map or facts about the rides.

• Read two story books with your child. Ask, "Which story would be better to teach a lesson on kindness?" Child needs to form an opinion and then back it up with actual words and evidence from things that happened in the story.

The BIG thing is that the answer "just because" doesn't cut it. We want children to back their thoughts and opinions up with REAL evidence.

Have fun with this. Remember, keep it natural and conversation-like. School is school. Home is home.

Have a BEAUTIFUL weekend.