The Missouri Assessment Program tests, better known as the MAP tests, are just around the corner for Missouri students.
JEFFERSON CITY -- One group of Jefferson City elementary students are preparing for the exams in a whole new way.
School is dismissed at Moreau Heights Elementary in Jefferson City, but that does not mean learning is done for the day.
About 75 third, fourth, and fifth graders, along with their teachers, stay an hour after school two days a week to squeeze in extra practice for the upcoming MAP tests.
The program is called "MAP Attack."
Teachers say attacking the MAP test is important as federal "No Child Left Behind" standards become more difficult to reach.
"The more we get excited about it, the more our kids are excited about it," says Moreau Heights teacher Katrina Dudenhoeffer.
"So we wanted to create a program where the kids could come and learn strategies while they were here, but also have fun with it and get motivated and get really excited about the test so they don't feel like its some big scary thing. Its something that they can conquer and that they are capable of doing."
And who knew finding the perimeter of a quadrilateral or practicing multiplication tables could be so fun?
"Kids like that kind of activity. And so when they can do that and learn at the same time, you know you kind of trick them into learning when they're having fun at the same time," says Dudenhoeffer. "So its been really beneficial."
All three grade levels will test on communication arts and math. Fifth graders will also complete a science test.
This is the first year for the MAP Attack program at Moreau Heights.
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