How to Help Your Child Prepare for the State Assessments Presented by: Paul Giordano, Assistant Principal Lisbeth DeForest, Parent Coordinator PS 55 March 6, 2014 DATES • The ELA Exam for Grades 3-8 will be given April 1st – 3rd • The Math Exam for Grades 3-8 will be given April 30, May 1st and 2nd Grade 3 DAY 1- Book 1 Multiple Choice (30 questions) (5 passages) Time: 70 minutes DAY 2- Book 2 DAY 2- Book 3 Multiple Choice 2 Passages (7 questions) Short Response (3) (1 Passage) Extended Response (1) Time: 70 minutes DAY 3- Book 4 3 Passages 5 short-response questions 1 extended-response Time: 70 minutes Even Split Between Informational & Literary Grade 4 DAY 1- Book 1 Multiple Choice (30 questions) 5 passages (Literary and Informational) Time: 70 minutes DAY 2- Book 2 DAY 2- Book 3 Multiple Choice 2 Passages (7 Questions) Short Response (3) (1 Passage) Extended Response (1) Time: 70 minutes DAY 3- Book 4 3 Passages 5 short-response questions 1 extended-response Time: 70 minutes Even Split Between Literary & Informational Grade 5 DAY 1- Book 1 Multiple Choice (42 questions) 6 passages (Literary and Informational) Time: 90 Minutes DAY 2- Book 2 DAY 2- Book 3 Multiple Choice 2 Passages (7 Questions) Short Response (3) (1 Passage) Extended Response (1) Time: 90 Minutes DAY 3- Book 4 3 Passages 5 short-response questions 1 extended-response Even Split between Literary & Informational Time: 90 Minutes Grade 6 DAY 1- Book 1 Multiple Choice (42 questions) 6 passages (Literary and Informational) Time: 90 Minutes DAY 2- Book 2 DAY 2- Book 3 Multiple Choice 2 Passages (7 Questions) Short Response (3) (1 Passage) Extended Response (1) Time: 90 Minutes DAY 3- Book 4 3 Passages 5 short response questions 1 extended response *More Informational Passages Time: 90 Minutes Grade 7 DAY 1- Book 1 Multiple Choice (42 questions) 6 passages (Literary and Informational) Time: 90 Minutes DAY 2- Book 2 DAY 2- Book 3 Multiple Choice 2 Passages (7 Questions) Short Response (3) (1 Passage) Extended Response (1) Time: 90 Minutes DAY 3- Book 4 3 Passages 5 short-response questions 1 extended-response Time: 90 Minutes *More Informational Passages Grade 8 DAY 1- Book 1 Multiple Choice (42 questions) 6 passages (Literary and Informational) Time: 90 Minutes DAY 2- Book 2 DAY 2- Book 3 Multiple Choice 2 Passages (7 Questions) Short Response (3) (1 Passage) Extended Response (1) Time: 90 Minutes DAY 3- Book 4 3 Passages 5 short-response questions 1 extended-response Time: 90 Minutes *More Informational Passages Challenges • Readability Level of Passages- higher lexile levels • Stamina- longer passages • Distractors- all answer choices may reflect accurate information from the passage but they need to choose the best possible answer (no ridiculous answer) • Questions involving Author’s Craft and StructureStructure is how the text is laid out. (i.e., compare/ contrast, chronological, question/answer…). Craft is the technique an author uses in their writing. (i.e., text features such as diagrams, captions…, bold words, sound words, use of dialogue…) Menu of Strategies for the Multiple Choice • Use the directions, title, and text features to anticipate the elements of the genre, and topic to predict what it will be mostly about. Then, read the entire passage (don’t skim). • Chunk the passage by paragraph, by writing a few words that sum up each section. Use a few words to annotate the paragraph so that you can locate important information that will help you answer the questions. • Use text features such as, bold print, glossaries, italics, sub headings... to comprehend the passage. • For multiple choice questions, ask yourself, “What is it asking you to do? Where in the text do you find that? Does your answer match the question?” • Read the question, cover the answer choices, think about what the answer should be, then uncover the choices and see which choice matches your thinking best. ELA– Grade 5 – Annotated Passage What Are Wind Tunnels? by David Hitt Wind tunnels are large tubes with air moving inside. The tunnels are used to copy the actions of an object in flight. Researchers use wind tunnels to learn more about how an aircraft will fly. NASA uses wind tunnels to test scale models of aircraft and spacecraft. Some wind tunnels are big enough to hold full-size versions of vehicles. The wind tunnel moves air around an object, making it seem like the object is really flying. Questions….. Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of the passage? • A “Researchers use wind tunnels to learn more about how an aircraft will fly.” (paragraph 1) • B “Special instruments are often used to measure the force of the air on the object.” (paragraph 2) • C “NASA engineers tested ideas for the design of Ares in wind tunnels.” (paragraph 6) • D “Long after the first design work is finished, NASA can still use wind tunnels.” (paragraph 7) Strategies for the Short Response • Restate or rephrase the question. • Use two accurate details from the text. • Use thinking prompts such as, “This proves that… This shows that… This explains that….”, to close the short response and ensure clarity for the scorer. • Writing should not be more than 3-4 sentences. 2013 ELA Short Response – Grade 4 • Why is the setting important to this story? Use two details from the story to support • Write your answer in complete sentences. _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ Strategies for Writing the Extended Response • Read the Extended Response Question before reading the two paired passages (possibly 3). • Make a bulleted shopping list of what you are reading for in the margin for each passage. • Underline details that will answer the extended response questions as you read. • In the introductory passage, use the question stem to answer with accurate details. Strategies for Writing the Extended Response (continued) • Answer by using the question bullets to make your paragraphs. • Use details from the story and explain how they answer the questions. • In your answer, show your understanding of the story. • Use prompts such as, “This shows that…, This is important because…, This explains how…” Example of Extended Response Question – Grade 4 The narrator’s relationship with her grandmother develops during her visit. How does their relationship develop? How do they communicate even though they do not speak the same language? Use details from the story to support your response. In your response, be sure to • explain how their relationship develops • explain how they communicate • use details from the story to support your response What Can Parents Do? • Try to encourage you child to read for long periods of time in any topic or genre they like. • Time them and give them strategies for refocusing, when they are losing concentration. For Example: 1. Deep breathing and relaxation techniques 2. Short stretching exercises, like rotating the neck, feet, hands or anything that will refocus. What Parents Can Do? Remind your child to get their minds ready for the particular genre of the passages they are working with. They can think about what they know about the genre to help them. Below are some examples of questions they can use: Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Where and when does this take place? How does the character change throughout the story? How does the character feel? What kind of person is the character? (trait) What is the problem/ solution in the story? What is the turning point or important part of the story? What is the theme? What is the lesson? What is the structure? What is the author trying to inform you about and why? What do you already know about this topic? What is the main idea? What details support the main idea? What is the structure? What is the author’s point of view? What information are you learning from the text features? What pictures or sounds do you get in your mind as you read this poem? What is the mood or feeling of this poem? Is there anything being compared in the poem? Who is talking in the poem? What is the message the poet is trying to get across? Argumentative What is the author’s opinion, point of view, or claim they are stating? What reasons support their opinions or claim? What evidence or examples are provided? What is the structure? Tips for the Night Before the Test • Do something fun or relaxing (no test prep). • Make sure your child eats healthy and goes to sleep early. • Be encouraging, but at the same time don’t dwell on the subject or you may cause your child to worry unnecessarily. Tips for the Morning/Day of the Test • Have your child get up early enough to avoid rushing, to be on time for school. • Have your child eat a good, healthy breakfast, but not a heavy one. • Have your child dress in something he or she likes, or that is familiar and comfortable. • Glasses, glasses, glasses!!! Avoiding Test Anxiety • Preparation and practice are important so that students are familiar and comfortable with the format of the test items and questions. • Blocking out negative or critical thoughts helps with self confidence and can be use to reduce test anxiety. • When feeling anxious, use techniques like closing your eyes, taking a few deep breaths, and visualizing doing well on the test. Helpful Websites www.engageny.org Click on Common Core Curriculum & Assessments Click on Annotated 2013 3-8 ELA and Mathematics State Test Questions http://www.p12.nysed.gov/assessment/english/samplers/ela.html (ELA & Math exams from 2005-2010)