Educator Resources: Student Tutorials, Educator eLearning, New Question Types, Sample Lessons

Educator Resources: Student Tutorials, Educator eLearning, New Question Types, Sample Lessons

Sirius Online provides a comprehensive suite of tools and tutorials designed to mirror STAAR test features, supporting both students and educators with accessible learning and teaching resources. The platform includes detailed modules on the STAAR 2.0 question types across subjects, sample lessons, and educator eLearning courses to optimize instruction and assessment readiness.

Sirius Online Tools – Student Tutorials

Sirius Online tools are designed to look and work just like the tools students use on the STAAR tests.
  1. Sirius Online Tools Video: A quick run-through of the tools and accessibility features used in Sirius Online courses, such as Sticky Notes, Strikethrough, and Highlight.
  2. Sirius Online Tools Tutorial: An in-depth student lesson covering the use of each Sirius Online tool as well as basic navigation of Sirius Online lesson.
  3. Sirius Online Quick Help Handout: Auto download of a quick reference guide on Sirius Online tools and navigation

Educator eLearning Modules (20–30 minutes each)

For teachers and administrators:

  1. SES 101 – Introduction to Sirius Online for Teachers 
  2. SES 102 – Introduction to Sirius Online for Education Leaders – District and School Administrators
  3. SES 103 – Optimizing Instruction and Learning with Sirius Online – Admins, Teachers, Coaches

New STAAR 2.0 Question Types

Each Sirius Online course includes lessons to familiarize students with the new STAAR 2.0 question types. You will also find links to the new question types in each subject area at Sirius Online Getting Familiar with STAAR 2.0  along with additional details on STAAR 2.0.

Sirius Online New Question Type Overviews

The student lessons below provide an overview of the new STAAR question types in each subject area, followed by in-depth student lessons on each new lesson type in each subject.   
  1. Math Grades 3–5 – New Question Samples
  2. Math Grades 6–8 and Algebra 1– New Question Samples
  3. Reading Language Arts – New Question Samples
  4. Science – New Question Samples
  5. Social Studies – New Question Samples

Math - Individual New Question Types

  1.  Math – Multiple Choice and Multiselect
  2. Math – Drag and Drop
  3. Math – Inline Choice
  4. Math – Equation Editor
  5. Math – Hot Spot
  6. Math – Match Table Grid
  7. Math – Number Line 

Reading Language Arts - Individual New Question Types Elementary

Grades 3–5:

  1. RLA – Multiple Choice and Multiselect
  2. RLA – Multipart
  3. RLA – Short Constructed Response
  4. RLA – Extended Constructed Response
  5. RLA – Hot Text
  6. RLA – Writing: Inline Choice
  7. RLA – Writing: Short Constructed Response (SCR)

Secondary—Grades six and higher

  1. RLA – Multiple Choice and Multiselect
  2. RLA – Multipart
  3. RLA – Short Constructed Response
  4. RLA – Extended Constructed Response
  5. RLA – Text Entry
  6. RLA – Match Table Grid
  7. RLA – Writing: Inline Choice
  8. RLA – Writing: Short Constructed Response (SCR)

Science - Individual New Question Types

  1. Science — Cluster Question Set
  2. Science — Drag and Drop
  3. Science — Hot Spot
  4. Science — Inline Choice
  5. Science — Match Table Grid
  6. Science — Multipart
  7. Science — Multiple Choice and Multiselect
  8. Science — Short Constructed Response
  9. Science — Text Entry

Social Studies – Individual New Question Types

  1. Social Studies – Multiple Choice and Multiselect
  2. Social Studies – Drag and Drop
  3. Social Studies – Inline Choice
  4. Social Studies – Hot Spot
  5. Social Studies – Hot Text
  6. Social Studies – Match Table Grid
  7. Social Studies – Multipart
  8. Social Studies – Short Constructed Response

Sirius Online Course Sample Lessons

Sample lessons feature different assignment types in each course and give access to some teacher-only features, such as, the Answers button, which turns answers on/off, and the Reveal button, which hides content for presentations.

Mathematics - Sample Lessons

  1. SKILLS CHECK assesses previous-grade prerequisites for each Readiness TEKS.
  2. LEARN instruction reinforces key skills and concepts for each Readiness TEKS.
  3. PROBLEM SOLVING gives scaffolded instruction and practice in solving challenging STAAR items.
  4. PRACTICE provides authentic STAAR practice with robust feedback for each
    Readiness TEKS.
  5. SPIRAL REVIEW provides comprehensive mixed STAAR practice for each module.

Sirius Online Grade 5 Mathematics – Classifying Two-Dimensional Figures (5.5A)

  1. SKILLS CHECK (5.5A) – Key Prerequisites
  2. LEARN (5.5A) – Classifying Two-Dimensional Figures
  3. PROBLEM SOLVING (5.5A) – Classifying Polygons
  4. PROBLEM SOLVING (5.5A) – Classifying Triangles
  5. PRACTICE Set A (5.5A)
  6. PRACTICE Set B (5.5A)
  7. PRACTICE EXTRA Non-Multiple Choice (5.5A)
  8. PRACTICE CHALLENGE (5.5A)
  9. SPIRAL REVIEW for Modules 1–4

 Sirius Online Grade 8 Mathematics – Using the Pythagorean Theorem (8.7C)

  1. SKILLS CHECK (8.7C) – Key Prerequisites
  2. LEARN (8.7C) – Using the Pythagorean Theorem
  3. PROBLEM SOLVING (8.7C) – Using the Pythagorean Theorem to Solve Real-World Problems
  4. PROBLEM SOLVING (8.7C) – Finding Side Lengths Using the Pythagorean Theorem
  5. PRACTICE Set A (8.7C)
  6. PRACTICE Set B (8.7C)
  7. PRACTICE EXTRA Non-Multiple Choice (8.7C)
  8. PRACTICE CHALLENGE (8.7C)
  9. SPIRAL REVIEW for Modules 1–4

Sirius Online Algebra I EOC – Graphing and Describing Linear Functions (A.3C)

  1. SKILLS CHECK (A.3C) – Key Prerequisites
  2. LEARN (A.3C) – Graphing and Describing Linear Functions
  3. PROBLEM SOLVING (A.3C) – Finding Zeros of Linear Functions
  4. PROBLEM SOLVING (A.3C) – Graphing Linear Functions
  5. PRACTICE Set A (A.3C)
  6. PRACTICE Set B (A.3C)
  7. PRACTICE Extra Non-Multiple Choice (A.3C)
  8. PRACTICE CHALLENGE (A.3C)
  9. SPIRAL REVIEW for Modules 1–2

Reading Language Arts - Sample Lessons

  1. LESSON skills provide TEKS-based instruction including answering STAAR test questions.
  2. PRACTICE provides authentic STAAR 2.0 selections and questions with robust feedback.
  3. BUILD skills focus on the most-tested TEKS with concise instruction and modified practice.
  4. REVIEW provides remediation skills from the previous grade with less complex passages.
  5. ECR PROMPT provides extended writing practice for STAAR reading selections.

Sirius Online Grade 5 Reading Language Arts

Reading

  1. LESSON 3 – Theme
  2. PRACTICE 7 – Green Screen Summer Vacation (Drama)
  3. BUILD 7 – Central Idea and Supporting Details
  4. REVIEW 7 – Central Idea and Supporting Details

Writing/Revising

  1. LESSON 4 – Transitions
  2. PRACTICE 1 – The Ringed Planet (Informational)

Writing/Editing

  1. LESSON 10 – Sentences
  2. PRACTICE 6 – Field Day / Composting (Info / Argument)

Extended Constructed Response

  1. LESSON 12 – Informational Prompt and Central Idea
  2. ECR PROMPT 4 – Green Screen Summer Vacation (Drama)

Sirius Online Grade 7 Reading Language Arts

Reading

  1. LESSON 12 – Understanding Author’s Purpose
  2. PRACTICE 11 – Jiminy Cricket! Why Bugs May Soon Be on the Menu (Argumentative)
  3. BUILD 9 – Analyzing Author’s Purpose
  4. REVIEW 10 – Understanding Author’s Purpose 

Writing/Revising

  1. LESSON 4 – Transitions
  2. PRACTICE 2 – Textbooks or Tablets? (Argumentative)

Writing/Editing

  1. LESSON 8 – Using Pronouns Correctly
  2. PRACTICE 7 – Books and Burros / Fishing (Info / Fiction)

Extended Constructed Response

  1. LESSON 12 –Informational Responding to the Prompt
  2. ECR PROMPT 5 – Jiminy Cricket! Why Bugs May Soon Be on the Menu (Argumentative)

Sirius Online English II EOC

Reading

  1. LESSON 8 – Analyzing Argumentative Claims, Appeals, and Conclusions
  2. PRACTICE 11 – E-Scooters (Argumentative)
  3. BUILD 7 – Argumentative Texts
  4. REVIEW 7 – Argumentative Texts

Writing/Revising

  1. LESSON 3 – Revising by Combining Sentences
  2. PRACTICE 1 – A Texas Geological Treasure: The Caverns of Sonora (Informational)
  3. BUILD 3 – Revising and Combining Sentences 

Writing/Editing

  1. LESSON 8 – Using Commas Correctly
  2. PRACTICE 7 – What Is a Concussion? (Argumentative)
  3. BUILD 9 – Editing Compound Sentences

Extended Constructed Response

  1. LESSON 14 – Informational Responding to the Prompt
  2. ECR PROMPT 5 – E-Scooters (Argumentative)

Science - Sample Lessons

  1. LEARN instruction reinforces key skills and concepts for each assessed TEKS.
  2. PROBLEM SOLVING gives scaffolded instruction and practice in solving challenging STAAR items.
  3. PRACTICE provides authentic STAAR practice with robust feedback for each assessed TEKS.
  4. CUMULATIVE REVIEW provides mixed STAAR practice for spaced review.

Sirius Online Elementary Science Grades 3–5 – Properties of Light

  1. LEARN 2.3 – Properties of Light
  2. PROBLEM SOLVING 2.3 - Recognizing Properties of Light
  3. PRACTICE 2.3
  4. CUMULATIVE REVIEW – Modules 1–2

Sirius Online Middle School Science Grades 6–8 – Earth’s Resources

  1. LEARN 3.4 – Earth’s Resources
  2. PROBLEM SOLVING 3.4 – Human Impacts on Oceans
  3. PRACTICE 3.4
  4. CUMULATIVE REVIEW – Modules 1–3

Sirius Online Biology – Earth’s Resources

  1. LEARN 1.4 – Viruses vs. Cells
  2. PROBLEM SOLVING 1.4– Viruses vs. Cells
  3. PRACTICE 1.4
  4. CUMULATIVE REVIEW – Module 1

Social Studies - Sample Lessons

  1. INTRODUCTION provides activities on analyzing a visual and the main ideas in the Module.
  2. LEARN gives concise instruction that reviews and reinforces all content TEKS.
  3. PRACTICE provides authentic STAAR practice for all content TEKS with robust feedback.
  4. REASONING gives scaffolded instruction and practice in answering challenging STAAR items.
  5. DOCUMENT-BASED QUESTION (DBQ) provides instruction in reading text sources with scaffolded writing practice.
  6. STUDY GUIDE AND REVIEW gives activities on key people, places, and events.
  7. CUMULATIVE REVIEW provides mixed STAAR practice for spaced review. 

Sirius Online Grade 8 Social Studies – Module 9: The Civil War Era

Module 9 – Opener

  1. INTRODUCTION AND VOCABULARY PREVIEW
  2. DIAGNOSTIC TEST

Lesson 9.1 – The Expansion of Slavery

  1. LEARN 9.1
  2. PRACTICE 9.1
  3. REASONING 9.1

Lesson 9.2 – The Civil War

  1. LEARN 9.2
  2. PRACTICE 9.2

Module 9 – Closer

  1. DBQ: Why Did the southern states secede?
  2. STUDY GUIDE AND REVIEW
  3. POST TEST
  4. CUMULATIVE REVIEW – Modules 1–9

Sirius Online U.S. History EOC – Module 3: Rise of a World Power

Module 3 – Opener

  1. INTRODUCTION AND VOCABULARY PREVIEW
  2. DIAGNOSTIC TEST

Lesson 3.1 – American Expansionism

  1. LEARN 3.1
  2. PRACTICE 3.1

Lesson 3.2 – World War I

  1. LEARN 3.2
  2. VIDEO 3.2
  3. PRACTICE 3.2
  4. REASONING 3.2       
Module 3 – Closer

  1. DBQ: Why did Americans disagree about imperialism?
  2. STUDY GUIDE AND REVIEW
  3. POST TEST
  4. CUMULATIVE REVIEW – Modules 1–3

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