TAKS Toppers Catalog July 2010

by Alana Sloan

STUDY GUIDES CATALOG SPRING 2010www.TAKSToppers.com

FREE SHIPPINGON BOOK ORDERS OVER $500!This offer expires 07/01/2010. Details on page 5.

Visit www.TAKStoppers.com.

TEST PREPARATIONMADE EASY

2 For information, call 469.422.3622

QUALITY STUDY GUIDES WRITTEN FOR TEACHERS BY TEACHERS

Alana SloanTAKS Toppers founder

When you require the best, you naturally go tothe experts. After years of study, along with sometrial and error, Alana Sloan developed the TAKSToppers Study Guides to assist teachers in preparingstudents for their state-mandated tests. As aneducational expert, she has utilized her knowledgeof curriculum development to write and edit thestudy guides as well as enlisted the support of guestauthors and published professional writers.

The end products, TAKS Toppers Study Guides,have proven to be remarkably successful forteachers and students alike. TAKS Toppers arevaluable tools for remediation and enrichmentand provide excellent resources for before,during, and after-school tutoring sessions.For students studying for the state-developedAlternative Assessments and for those requiringretesting, TAKS Toppers is an ideal vehicle.In addition, the study guides provide substituteteachers with quality teaching opportunities.

Geared to grade levels, each of the TAKSToppers Study Guides encompasses a wealthof information and teaching aids to ensure thesuccess of students including:

• Standards and Objectives: Outlines the skillsrequired for students to master the TAKS tests.

• Activities: Contains interesting stories andactivities to promote problem solving andhigh-level analytical skills.

• Assessment: Designed to assist teachers inassessing a student’s grasp of an objective.

• Warm-up and Review: Questions aredesigned at various levels of difficulty.

• Graphic Organizers and Question Stems:A valuable tool to teach TAKS objectives.

• Answer Key: Teachers and tutorscan quickly check for accuracy andcomprehension of material.

• Practice Tests: Designed to help studentsunderstand what the actual test is like.

To order, visit us online at www.TAKStoppers.com 3

CONENTS

NEW THIS ISSUE� GRADE 7 READING

This book provides middle schoolstudents with a collection of highlyreadable passages accompanied byhigh-level questions similar to thoseaddressed on TAKS.See page 9 for details

� GRADE 8 READINGThis book provides a collection of readingpassages designed to inform and entertainstudents in middle school. This bookprepares students for TAKS and futureliteracy success at the high school level.See page 10 for details

� Grades 2-3 4-5

� Grade 4 6-7

� Grade 5 7

� Grade 6 8

� Grade 7 9

� Grade 8 10

FREE SHIPPINGON PURCHASES OVER $500Enter “FREESHIP” during checkout or mentionthe promo code via phone ordering to receiveyour discount. Does not apply to faxed orders.Offer valid only for teachers and schools.Expires 07/01/2010.Order online at www.TAKStoppers.com

Reading

MAKE A CHOICE.MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

by Alana Sloan

We have all heard the phrase “No Child Left Behind,” and now, in thisera of educational accountability, the phrase has more meaning than ever.Every student deserves a school’s best efforts. Starting with the principal,the teachers, and continuing on to the cafeteria workers and custodians,each member of the school staff must make a choice to join the effort tomake a difference to help all students achieve success.

The failure of even one student can eliminate your school from being on top.As a teacher who has worked extremely hard to help his or her students passthe state TAKS tests, this can be very disheartening. This hard, cold factbecame the impetus for me to create the TAKS Toppers Study Guides.

After teaching at the same school for 17 years, I was approached by aprincipal to come help that “one student who failed.” Torn between leavingmy school or accepting the challenge, I decided to make a change in thehope of making a difference. After looking objectively at the problem, Iknew we had to concentrate on every student and look at every child as ifhe or she would be the one who might not master the TAKS objectives.

I placed emphasis on an all-out effort to coach every student beforeschool, after school, during planning periods and even on Saturdays. Inestablishing this plan, I enlisted the aid of every staff member of theschool, and to our amazement, we were awarded Exemplary status by theState of Texas at the end of the school year.

That experience led me to create the TAKS Toppers Study Guides that aremaking a difference in schools today. We continue to improve our guidesand look to the future to continue to ensure that “no child will be leftbehind.” You can make a choice to make a difference for your students,too. TAKS Toppers Study Guides have a proven track record for methodsof coaching your students to become successful.


GRA

DE

2RAVE REVIEWS� “We have used many of your

materials with great success andlook forward to any new itemsyou have coming out.”– teacher, Houston ISD

� “My principal has asked that I give abenchmark this year. The 5th gradeteachers gave me a workbook that Ireally like, but it is 5th grade level. Itis your TAKS Toppers. I LOVE IT!”– teacher, 3rd Grade Science

� “I love the way your 3rd gradereading has social studies TAKS.”– consultant, Dallas ISD & Irving ISD

� “I have a copy of your TAKS ToppersGrade 3 Reading and feel that it isas close as anything I have seenin regards to the TAKS formatand question stems.”– teacher, Goose Creek ISD

� “Our principal just got a copy of TAKSToppers Grade 3 Math. She loves itand would like to order three more.”– teacher, Dallas ISD

GRADES 2-3 READINGGive your second grade students ahead start on TAKS and provide anintroduction to TAKS for third graders.Great for review, too! Books include 50TAKS Toppers for warm-up and review.Available in English and Spanish

GRADES 2-3 READING $31.95Written byAlana Sloan

TM

ReadingWith

Social Studies

Content

ReadingWith

Social Studies

Content

GRADE 3

PREPARING FOR RETESTS

TAKS is based on standards the state has determined itsstudents should be able to understand and do. When a studentdoes not master TAKS, it is our job to alter the conditionsfor testing through positive academic intervention.

Teachers, coaches, and tutors can – and should – intervenewith intensive, accelerated instruction by providing studentswith the knowledge and skills they require to achieve TAKSmastery. Schools may group their students before and afterschool, during the school day, and even on Saturdays toachieve the desired test results. And, by incorporatingTAKS Toppers Study Guides, teachers reinforce the skillsessential for each student to succeed in both school and life.

In preparing for retests, we have found that even the mostwell-written and relevant material can become boring tolearners, particularly to those who have previously notmastered the state-mandated tests. In assisting thesestudents, seek out ways in which to stimulate young mindswith enrichment activities — mini-lessons that incorporatethe TAKS skills. Incorporate a math brain teaser, find ananalogy in language arts, create an experiment in science, orpresent a surprising fact in social studies. After you successfullygain your students’ attention, you and your students will reapthe benefits of positive results.


GRA

DE

3

TAKS TIPS� 3rd grade

MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITIONThird graders are expected to make agiant leap from second grade. Theyneed to start slowly. Introduce singleskills in shorter reading passages andmath problem-solving. Gradually, addskills and length. This builds studentconfidence and promotes success.

� Grades 3-8 MathPRACTICE MAKES PERFECTFrom a veteran math teacher: Makesure students know how to use theTAKS Measurement Chart and thepaper ruler. While they may seemsimple to us, these tools require a lotof practice for students to becomecomfortable with them. Don’t forgetthat TAKS Math is a reading test, too.To improve students reading onproblem-solving, start with shorterproblems and gradually increasetheir length.

Written byAlana Sloan

GRADES 3-4

TM

Holidays

and Celebrations

(Reading & Writing)Holidays

and Celebrations

(Reading & Writing)

GRADE 3-4 HOLIDAYSAND CELEBRATIONSAs a teacher, do you have to stopyour regular curriculum and plan aspecial activity for the holidays?With this delightful book, you cankeep your curriculum moving alongand still enjoy the holidays with yourstudents. Contains both reading andwriting passages for educational funand 50 TAKS Toppers for warm-upand review.

GRADES 3-4 HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS $29.95

REVISED

EDITION

GRADE 3 MATHEMATICSThis 400-page book is crammed withTAKS math skills that move fromeasy to the more difficult levels ofthe actual TAKS test. Books include100 TAKS Toppers for warm-upand review.

Available in English and Spanish

GRADE 3 MATHEMATICS $37.95

GRADE 3 READINGWritten with social studies content,this book allows you to teach twosubjects at the same time. Startswith large print that decreases insize. Includes 50 TAKS Toppers forwarm-up and review.

GRADE 3 READING $31.95

REVISED

EDITION

FREE SHIPPINGON PURCHASES OVER $500Enter “FREESHIP” during checkout or mention the promocode via phone ordering to receive your discount. Offervalid only for teachers and schools. Does not apply to

faxed orders or to wholesale orders. Expires 07/01/2010.Order online at www.TAKStoppers.com


GRA

DE

4

HIGH PRAISE� “Last year, we purchased Grade 4

Writing Assessments and Writing:Revising and Editing for each of ourelementary campuses. Our teachershave been pleased with the books andfound them very useful. ”– reading/language arts specialist,Lubbock ISD

� “...We had 100 percent pass the4th grade writing test. Of course,we used your materials.”– principal, Orange Grove ISD

� “I have purchased your TAKS ToppersGrade 4 Writing, and I am finding itvery useful as a starting point for my6th graders.”– teacher, Wharton ISD

� “The Grade 5 Science book is like havingthe entire curriculum in a nutshell.”– teacher, Arlington ISD

� “I love your TAKS Topper ScienceGrade 5 Book.”– teacher, New Caney ISD

� “I purchased the Math TAKS Toppers for5th grade this year... I love the bookand use it frequently.”– teacher, Lewisville ISD

GRADE 4 MATHEMATICSA 300+ page handbook, this bookcontains exercises for each of the sixTAKS math objectives, 100 TAKSwarm-up and reviews and two full-lengthTAKS-based practice assessments. Thebook is loaded with lots of graphics tospark the imagination of 4th grademath students. Also good for 5th graderemediation and 3rd grade enrichment.Available in English and Spanish


GRADE 4 READINGThis book is filled with interestingpassages, including lots of pairedpassages. Also includes 50 TAKSToppers for warm-up and review.



GRADE 4 REVISINGAND EDITINGWritten with social studies content,this book provides practice in theTAKS format, mini-lessons forindividual skills and includes 50 TAKSToppers for warm-up and review.

GRADE 4 REVISING AND EDITING $31.95

GRADE 4 WRITTENCOMPOSITIONThis book provides an overall viewof the writing process that is suitablefor every grade level – 3rd through8th. It also includes 50 TAKS Toppersfor warm-up and review.


GRADE 4 WRITTEN COMPOSITION $31.95

REVISED

EDITIONREVISED

EDITION


GRADE 4

TM

ReadingReading

WRITING:

Revising

&Editing


WRITING:

Revising

&Editing

GRADE 4

TM

Written

Composition


Written

Composition

GRADE 4

TM

VISIT US ONLINE

WWW.TAKSTOPPERS.COM


GRA

DE

5TAKS TIPS� Grade 5 Science

VOCABULARY IS IMPORTANTHands-on science is a research-basedbest practice. For students to do wellon TAKS Science, however, they mustdevote time to learning vocabularyand applying what they learn inhands-on activities to written passagesand graphics. Prepare the way foryour hands-on activities with anintensive vocabulary lesson andfollow them up with written practiceto let students know what this wouldlook like on TAKS.

Writing

Assessments


Writing

Assessments

GRADE 4

TM

GRADE 4 WRITTENASSESSMENTSThis book contains practice testsfor TAKS with the appropriatenumber of items. It also includesprompts for written composition.

GRADE 4 WRITTENASSESSMENTS $24.95

REVISED

EDITION

GRADE 5 MATHEMATICSThis comprehensive book is filledwith 300+ pages of preparationexercises which meet all six of theTAKS math objectives. Books include100 TAKS Toppers for warm-upand review and two full-lengthTAKS-based practice assessments.Excellent for remediation for new6th graders, too!


GRADE 5 READINGYour 5th graders will enjoy thepassages in this book. It includespaired passages, science passagesand 50 TAKS Toppers forwarm-up and review.



GRADE 5 SCIENCEIf you teach 5th grade science, you’vegot to have this book. Passages arewritten in the 5th grade TAKS readingformat with numbered paragraphs andcover all the topics tested on TAKSScience. Contains 65 TAKS Toppersfor warm-up and review.


GRADE 5 SCIENCE $31.95


GRA

DE

6GREAT NEWS!� “Your materials are excellent!”

– teacher, Burnet ISD

� “We use your product and findit invaluable.”– teacher, Deer Park ISD

� ”I am an ELA 8th Grade teacher. I recentlywent to a book store in Kingsville, Texas,and bought your 7th grade reading. I willbe ordering the 6th grade one, but I reallywould like to know when the 8th gradewill be available for reading. Please letme know. I have enjoyed using it.”– teacher, Freer ISD

� “We love the TAKS Toppers materials.It would be incredibly beneficial to haveTAKS-M Toppers. Our district wouldsnatch them up in a heartbeat.”– specialist, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

� ”I purchased your TAKS ToppersGrade 8 and am impressed withthe contents.”– teacher, Austin ISD

� ”I have found the 5th grade TAKSToppers to be a great review rightbefore the test!”– teacher, 8th Grade Science

GRADE 6 MATHEMATICSThis 300+ page handbook prepares 6thgrade students for TAKS and lays thegroundwork for a successful transitionto 7th grade mathematics. This bookcontains exercises for each of the sixTAKS math objectives, 100 TAKSwarm-up and reviews and two full-lengthTAKS-based practice assessments. Alsogood for 7th grade remediation.


GRADE 6 READINGThis book provides practice with thehigh-level questions addressed on TAKS.Lots of questions that relate to author’scraft, paired passages, and 50 TAKSToppers for warm-up and review.


REVISED

EDITION


GRADE 6

TM

ReadingReading

SPANISH VERSIONSFREE SHIPPING WHEN YOU PURCHASEAT LEAST 10 COPIES OF THE SAME TITLE

Just enter promo code “SPAN” during checkout.Hurry! Offer expires 07-01-2010.


GRA

DE

7

TAKS TIPS� Grades 4 & 7 Writing

THERE IS AN ADVANTAGETO MEMORIZING THE RULESMake sure students memorize therules that are tested on TAKS Writing.When they are proofreading a passage,have students justify their answer witha rule. It may seem time consuming,but it will be worth it in the end.Students will internalize the rules,and proofreading will be a lot easierfor them.

� Grades 3-8PRACTICE MAKES PERFECTNo matter the grade, students needto be comfortable with the test format.Make sure your students know howto use process of elimination toeliminate incorrect answers. Havethem provide evidence for whythey are eliminating three answersand choosing a fourth. Again, itseems time consuming, but it is acritical TAKS skill.

GRADE 7 MATHEMATICSThis 300+ page book providesdetailed mini-lessons, vocabularylists and practice items to helpstudents improve their skills forTAKS Mathematics. It containslessons which meet all six of theTAKS math objectives. Books alsoinclude 100 TAKS Toppers for warm-upand review and two pre-tests with theactual number of items tested on the“real” TAKS. Excellent resource forGrade 7 students, Grade 8 tutoringand Grade 6 enrichment.


NEW!GRADE 7 READINGThis book provides middle schoolstudents with a collection of highlyreadable passages accompanied byhigh-level questions similar to thoseaddressed on TAKS. Author’s craftand paired passages are included inthe text.


Reading

This guide whichwill be packed

with interesting passageswritten in the 8th grade reading formatpromises to present science content. Thisbook will be designed to improve students’science knowledge and their scores on thestate science test. It will include 50 TAKSToppers for warm-up and review.

SAMPLE PASSAGETAKS Topper 10: HurricanesDuring the 2005 hurricane season in theAtlantic Ocean, Hurricane Katrina wasborn. At least 1,836 people lost their livesin the actual hurricane and accompanyingflooding, and damage estimates were inexcess of $100 billion. The most severe

loss of life and property took place inNew Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleanswas flooded because the levee system, orembankment that protected the city fromflooding, failed. Eventually, 80 percentof the city and large neighboring areaswere covered by floodwaters that lastedfor weeks.

Katrina, an intense, rotating oceanicweather system, carried with her windsexceeding 74 miles per hour. Like a giantengine, Katrina used warm, moist oceanair as fuel to form and move inwardtoward land.

Several conditions had to be present forKatrina to grow into the devastating storm

that she became. First, warm, moist air roseupward from the surface of the AtlanticOcean, forming an area of lower airpressure below. Next, air with higherpressure pushed into the low pressure area.Then, the “new” air became warm andmoist, rose higher, and was replaced withswirling air. Clouds formed, and the entiresystem of clouds and wind rotated wildlyinto Hurricane Katrina.

What fuels a hurricane? (TEKS 10C)a. Floodwatersb. Low air pressurec. High air pressured. Warm, moist ocean air*

* D is the correct answer


GRA

DE

8REVISED

EDITION

GRADE 8 MATHEMATICSThis 300+ page book providesdetailed mini-lessons, vocabularylists and practice items to helpstudents improve their skills forTAKS Mathematics. It containslessons which meet all six of theTAKS math objectives. Books alsoinclude 100 TAKS Toppers for warm-upand review and two pre-tests with theactual number of items tested on the“real” TAKS. Excellent resource forGrade 8 students, Grade 9 tutoringand Grade 7 enrichment.


NEW!GRADE 8 READINGThis book provides a collectionof reading passages designed to informand entertain students in middleschool. With its high-level questions,the book prepares students for TAKSand future literacy success at the highschool level.


NEW GUIDE AVAILABLE FALL 2010GRADE 8 SCIENCE


ABOUT ALANA SLOAN

VISIONARY, PIONEER, DEDICATED TEACHER,AND CHILD ADVOCATE...THIS IS ALANA SLOAN

Ms. Sloan enjoyed a long and fruitful careeras an accomplished journalist but felt she wasmissing something. “Even though I foundjournalistic projects to be extremely rewarding,I missed working directly with people,” saidMs. Sloan. In 1981, she decided to completeher degree in teaching and was namedOutstanding Education Graduate at the

University of North Texas. She has since been named Teacher of theYear three times during her 23-year tenure as a teacher in Dallas’ innercity school system and has been awarded master teacher status fromthe state of Texas. In 1982, she was also selected to serve as teacher ofthe talented and gifted, a position she held for 20 years.

Ms. Sloan continued to write books and articles while teaching,thus curriculum writing seemed a natural transition for her. Earlyin her teaching career, Ms. Sloan began to observe an obvious lackof alignment between district-provided materials and the state-mandated standardized test. Because of her dedication and herpioneering spirit, her dream of developing test preparation materialsthe students could relate to and learn from launched into reality.

Ms. Sloan made use of her journalistic abilities and began to writeoriginal reading and writing materials. Very early in the process, sherecognized that there were few quality writing materials or proceduresin place to teach students how to write or to aid them in achievingmastery on the state test. That realization planted the first “seeds” ofthe course of action that she still draws on to teach students to write.

Due to use of her self-developed materials, Ms. Sloan’s students beganto show a remarkable increase in their test scores. Her labors didnot go unnoticed by her principal, and she was asked to developcurriculum for all subject areas as well as to present professionaldevelopment workshops for her school and district.

Since 2002, she has been author and publisher of the TAKS Toppersseries, utilizing her knowledge and experience as a developer of testpreparation materials. Through TAKS Toppers, Ms. Sloan providesquality test preparation materials for busy teachers who do not havetime to develop the materials themselves. “Teachers have the hardestjob in the world,” Ms. Sloan says. “My objective is to do all I can tomake their job easier.”

IMPORTANTDETAILSWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!Our goal at Wordsmiths Publishing iscustomer satisfaction. We strive for accuracyand appreciate it very much when customerswish to provide feedback after using any ofthe TAKS Toppers study guides. If you wishto communicate information about ourproducts, please contact Alana Sloan [email protected] or write to Alana atWordsmiths Publishing Company,3603 Urban Avenue, Dallas, TX 75227.

TO PLACE AN ORDERYou can purchase books on the Web atwww.takstoppers.com or remove and fill outthe order form in the center of this book andsimply fax to 214.388.0035 or mail it to theaddress above.

SPANISH VERSIONSFREE SHIPPING WITH PURCHASE

OF 10 COPIES OF THE SAME TITLEJust enter promo code “SPAN”

during online checkout. Offer not validfor wholesalers and expires 07-01-2010.

FREE SHIPPINGON PURCHASES OVER $500

Enter “FREESHIP” during checkout ormention the promo code via phone

ordering to receive your discount. Doesnot apply to faxed orders. Offer validonly for teachers and schools; nowholesalers. Expires 07/01/2010.

Order online at www.TAKStoppers.com

by Alana Sloan3603 Urban AvenueDallas, Texas 75227

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $500!Hurry! This offer expires 07/01/2010. Details on page 5.

www.TAKStoppers.comVisit us online to order books foryour school. Come back oftenas we will be launching a newWebsite this spring.

469.422.3622We’re always available to answeryour questions or to take orders.

To receiveadditional booksWant to give a catalog to yourprincipal or curriculum specialist?Email [email protected] to get yourquestions answered or to requestcopies of the current catalog.

CONTACT US TODAY!

SPANISH VERSIONSPURCHASE 10 COPIES OF THESAME TITLE AND GET FREE SHIPPINGDetails on page 11.

CLI

CK

CALL

CATA

LOG

APPROVED SCHOOL DISTRICT VENDORS• Alba-Golden ISD• Alto ISD• Alvin ISD• Arp ISD• Athens ISD• Beckville ISD• Belton ISD• Big Sandy ISD• Boling ISD• Broaddus ISD• Brownsboro ISD• Bullard ISD• Burleson ISD• Carlisle ISD• Cathage ISD• Cayuga ISD• Center ISD• Central Heights ISD• Central ISD• Chapel Hill ISD• ChirenoI ISD• Cross Roads ISD• Crowley ISD• Cushing ISD• Deer Park ISD• Denton ISD• Diboll ISD• Douglass ISD• Dumas ISD• East TXCharter Schools• Edgewood ISD• El Campo ISD

• Elkart ISD• Elysian Fields ISD• Etoile ISD• Eustace ISD• Excelsior ISD• Frankston ISD• Fruitvale ISD• Freer ISD• Galveston ISD• Garrison ISD• Gary ISD• Gilmer ISD• Gladewater ISD• Goose Creek ISD• Grand Saline ISD• Hallsville ISD• Harlingen CISD• Harleton ISD• Harmony ISD• Hawkins ISD• Hemphill ISD• Henderson ISD• Hudeson ISD• Huntington ISD• Jacksonville ISD• Joaquin ISD• Karnack ISD• Katy ISD• Kilgore ISD• Klein ISD• Lamar CISD• Laneville ISD

• Lapoynor ISD• Leveretts Chapel ISD• Lexington ISD• Lindale ISD• Longview ISD• Lufkin ISD• Malakoff ISD• Martins Mill ISD• Martinville ISD• McAllen ISD• Midway ISD• Mineola ISD• Mount Enterprise ISD• Murchison ISD• Nacigdoches ISD• Neches ISD• New Diana ISD• New Summerfield ISD• Northside ISD• Ore City ISD• Overton ISD• Palestine ISD• Pasadena ISD• Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD

• Pine Tree ISD• Plugerville ISD• Point Isabel ISD• Port Arthur ISD• Quitman ISD• Rains ISD• Rusk ISD

• Sabine ISD• San Augustine ISD• Shelbyville ISD• Slocum ISD• Southwest ISD• Spring ISD• Spring Hill ISD• Tatum ISD• Taylor ISD• Tenaha ISD• Timpson ISD• Trinidad ISD• Troup ISD• Tyler ISD• Union Grove ISD• Union Hill ISD• Van ISD• Waskom ISD• Waxahachie ISD• Wells ISD• West Rusk ISD• West Sabine ISD• Westwood ISD• Wharton ISD• White Oak ISD• Whitehouse ISD• Winnsboro ISD• Winona ISD• Woden ISD• Yantis ISD• Zavalla ISD

Documents

TAKS Toppers Catalog July 2010