English 10, week 15 Wrapping up unit two and introducing MCAS
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Transcript of English 10, week 15 Wrapping up unit two and introducing MCAS
English 10, week 15Wrapping up unit two and introducing MCAS
12/13/10-12/17/10
Monday, 12/13/10Objective: SWBAT1. Summarize the different sections/tasks on the MCAS exam. 2. Explain the significance of the MCAS exam and how their performance on this exam will impact their future. 3. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam.
Do Now:
• What do you do when you take a standardized test to stay focused?
• What test-taking strategies did you learn in past years?
• How have these test-taking strategies helped you?
Agenda:
1. Do Now and share/review2. MCAS overview– what is it? When is
it? What are the parts? What will I have to do? How will this test affect my future?
3. Test-taking strategies for vocabulary questions.
4. Practice together5. Practice with a partner6. Practice on your own (hw if you don’t
finish in class)
General Information about the English MCAS Exam
• MCAS= Massachusetts Comprehension Assessment System• All 10th graders across the state will take the exact same exam at the same time, under the same testing
conditions.• Your test is not scored by your teachers– exams are sent away to be scored• Your test scores are used to evaluate the level of instruction of our school and your promotion to the next
grade. • Your test scores become a part of your transcript, which means the colleges you apply to will see your scores.• Your test scores also determine your eligibility for the John and Abigail Adams scholarship which is a merit
based scholarship based on the top 25% of the school district and gets you free tuition at any Umass school for four years.
• The test includes reading passages, multiple choice questions, open response questions (one-two paragraphs) and a long-comp. (5 paragraph essay).
• The test is untimed– you have as much time as you need to finish the test and none of the sections are timed (unlike the IOWA). The test is administered over the course of three testing days.
• You will not have regular classes during MCAS testing. • The date for this year’s MCAS exam is March 22nd (long comp.) 23rd (reading comprehension and open respons)
and March 24th (also reading comprehension and multiple choice). • You will taking a practice MCAS exam this week in English and Social Studies to see which areas we need to
most focus on during MCAS prep instruction. Some of you will be placed in mandatory MCAS prep classes after school based on your practice score.
Objective/SWBAT: Summarize the different sections/tasks on the MCAS exam.
More info. on the structure of the test!
• You will be given 36 multiple choice questions in relation to 4 or 5 reading passages (poetry, non-fiction and fiction).
• You will write 4 open response paragraphs specifically in relation to a prompt and one of the reading passages.
• You will write 1 long comp. (essay) in response to a prompt and one of the books you have read either in 9th or 10th grade. You are required to write a rough draft and a final draft. You are expected to also complete an outline before your rough draft.
Objective/SWBAT: Summarize the different sections/tasks on the MCAS exam.
What Kinds of Reading Passages Might be on the Test?
Fiction Non-fiction
Short stories Poetry
Novel excerpts Biographies, autobiographies
Plays speeches
Myths, legends, fables Essays
Editorials/newspaper articles
Diary entries/Letters
Interviews and reviews
Instructions and Advertisements
Objective/SWBAT: Summarize the different sections/tasks on the MCAS exam.
Vocabulary and Language Questions on
the MCAS exam
1. You will be asked vocabulary questions on the MCAS in relation to a passage. 2. You can often figure out the meaning of the word by looking at the word’s
context– the words and sentences around the word (before and after).
Objective/SWBATIdentify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam.
Practice: Kirk was a huge hunk of a dog. When standing upright on his hind legs, he could easily rest his front paws on a man’s shoulders. His enormous presence scared most passersby when Kirk strolled in the park on his daily walk on the leash. Other dogs, too, shunned Kirk, fearing death or severe injury should Kirk decide to clamp down on their flesh with his crushing jaws. No one had reason to worry, however. Terrified of squirrels and distrustful of robins and butterflies, Kirk was the most docile dog in the world.
Use the context of this passage to determine the meaning of the word docile. Write the meaning of the word on the line below:
______________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary and Language Questions on the MCAS
Exam
• Some questions will ask you about words with multiple meanings and you will have to determine which meaning matches the word based on the context of the passage.
• Some questions will ask you about words used as idioms– expressions that are natural to people from a particular area or part of the world. Example, “backseat driver” does not literally mean someone who drives from the backseat. Or “Go back to square one.”
• Some questions might ask you to identify words in a passage that are jargon– that is, words related to a particular field. Ex: mouse, keyboard, drive, printer.
• Some MCAS questions might ask you to identify a word’s part of speech. Many words can be used as different parts of speech depending on the context of the word (ex: buckle can be both a noun as in your belt buckle, or a verb as in buckle your belt.)
Objective/SWBATIdentify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam.
Test-taking Strategies for answering multiple choice
question and reading passages
1. Preview the questions before you read so you have a reading focus. 2. Read actively– annotate the text by taking margin summary notes–
this will help you go back and answer questions. 3. If the passage is short, re-read it– often it takes more than one
reading to understand what the passage is about– this is especially true of poems.
4. Read the directions carefully for each section. 5. Underline key words in the directions.6. Read all possible answer choices for multiple choice questions. 7. Use process of elimination to answer multiple choice8. Look back at the text to find answers.
Objective/SWBATIdentify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam.
Tuesday, 12/14/10Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).
Do Now:
• Body Paragraph Rewrite– 1 minute to read thesis
statement– 2 minutes to read body
paragraph and brainstorm three concrete ways to improve it
– 4 minutes to rewrite it
Agenda:
1. Do Now and share/review2. Why is the MCAS
Important? Review3. Test-taking strategies for
vocabulary questions. 4. Mood and Tone5. Specific Vocabulary6. Exercises
Friday, 12/17/10Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).2. describe the term ‘connotation’ in their own words.
Do Now:
• Why does vocabulary matter in writing?
Agenda:
1. Do Now and share/review2. Specific Vocabulary3. Questions about
vocabulary4. Exercises
Homework:• MCAS packet
Author’s Word Choice
• Other than context clues, idioms, and words with multiple meanings, the MCAS will ask you to analyze specific words or phrases in a passage.
• When an author writes, he or she chooses words carefully to convey a specific message to readers. An author tries to use words that will appeal to readers’ senses to make them taste, hear, see, smell, and feel what he or she is writing about.
• By using sensory words, an author can create vivid images in the minds of readers.
• Every deliberate word choice an author makes is meant not only to support the theme of a work but also to communicate his or her purpose for writing.
Friday, 12/17/2010Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).
In writing, HOW you say something can make your ideas more convincing!
Tuesday, 7th December 2010Objective: SWBAT1. Reflect on the first drafts and comments of their first draft essays.2. describe and illustrate the terms diction, denotation, and connotation3. Analyze an exemplar sample Q & A essay in terms of introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion, and word choice.4. Revise the first drafts of their essays.
What Author’s Word Choice is like on the Test
• Some of these vocabulary questions will ask you to determine the meaning of a simile, metaphor, or symbol used in a text.
• Others will ask you to determine why an author uses repetition or varied sentence structure throughout a passage.
• You might also be asked why the author chose to place emphasis on certain words in a passage --- for example by using bold, italic, or ALL CAPITAL letters.
Friday, 12/17/2010Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).
Tone and Mood• Other questions will ask you to choose a word that best
represents the tone or the mood of the story• The tone reflects the author’s attitude about the topic of
the passage.– If an author is writing about a happy childhood memory, his or
her tone might be whimsical or sentimental.– If an author is writing a first-person story about a character who
is upset, the tone might be angry or sarcastic.• The mood of a piece of writing is the feeling the writing
evokes in readers.– The mood might be mysterious, suspenseful, or reflective.
Friday, 12/17/2010Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).
Tone and Mood• Other questions will ask you to choose a word that best
represents the tone or the mood of the story• The tone reflects the author’s attitude about the topic of
the passage.– If an author is writing about a happy childhood memory, his or
her tone might be whimsical or sentimental.– If an author is writing a first-person story about a character who
is upset, the tone might be angry or sarcastic.• The mood of a piece of writing is the feeling the writing
evokes in readers.– The mood might be mysterious, suspenseful, or reflective.
Friday, 12/17/2010Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).
MOOD
Describe what you think this word means in your own words:
Really Important Vocabulary Term! Mood
My Understanding: 1 2 3 4
Draw/Illustrate this word:
Further Understanding: Why is this an important term in writing?
Friday, 12/17/10Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).2. describe the term ‘connotation’ in their own words.
TONE
Describe what you think this word means in your own words:
Really Important Vocabulary Term! Tone
My Understanding: 1 2 3 4
Draw/Illustrate this word:
Further Understanding: Why is this an important term in writing?
Friday, 12/17/10Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).2. describe the term ‘connotation’ in their own words.
CONNOTATION
Describe what you think this word means in your own words:
Really Important Vocabulary Term! Connotation
My Understanding: 1 2 3 4
Draw/Illustrate this word:
Further Understanding: Why is this an important term in writing?
Friday, 12/17/10Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).2. describe the term ‘connotation’ in their own words.
Connotation…is the emotional association of a word;
i.e., a subjective cultural and/or emotional coloration. A connotation is frequently described as negative or positive. This meaning includes the implied value judgment or feelings associated with a term.
Friday, 12/17/10Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).2. describe the term ‘connotation’ in their own words.
Strong-willed vs. Pig-headed
• Dictionary (literal) definition: stubborn• Connotations:– Strong-willed: a positive meaning of
stubborn; implies admiration of someone who is stubborn
– Pig-headed: a negative meaning of stubborn; implies frustration when dealing with someone
• In order to understand the connotation of a word, you must understand how it is used in context of a sentence/thought/idea!Friday, 12/17/10
Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).2. describe the term ‘connotation’ in their own words.
Real Life Example• Latino vs. Hispanic• Dictionary definition: a Spanish-
speaking person• Connotations (subjective meanings):– Latino: positive–Hispanic: negative
Friday, 12/17/10Objective: SWBAT1. Identify specific test-taking strategies for answering vocabulary questions in relation to a reading passage on the MCAS exam (part 2).2. describe the term ‘connotation’ in their own words.
Words to Describe Tone and Mood (Part 1)Common Words Used to Describe Tone and Mood
ambivalent critical hopeful mischievous
amused enthusiastic humorous mysterious
angry envious imaginative nervous
anxious excited impersonal neutral
appreciative fearful indifferent nostalgic
bewildered formal innocent objective
bitter friendly inspirational pensive
bored frustrated ironic pessimistic
calm gentle judgmental proud
cheerful gloomy lighthearted reflective
concerned honest malicious relaxed
Words to Describe Tone and Mood (Part 2)Common Words Used to Describe Tone and Mood
relieved tense
remorseful thankful
rude tolerant
sad tragic
sarcastic vindictive
sentimental whimsical
serious worrisome
sincere
snobbish
suspenseful
sympathetic
MCAS Vocabulary Questions• What does connotation mean? What is its relation to
words and vocabulary?• Which words have positive connotations? Why/ how?• Which words have negative connotations? Why/How?• Which words have a neutral connotation?• If you don’t know the meaning of a word, how can you
use connotation of a term in order to determine the best answer in multiple choice questions?
• What is the difference between ambivalent and indifferent?
• Circle all the words you are unable to define (or that you are unfamiliar with) on the sheet.
Tuesday, 12/14/10Objective: SWBAT1. Compose their final drafts of their Q & A essays.2. Put together their Unit 2 Portfolios3. Complete their Unit 2 Portfolio Reflections (due Wednesday).
Do Now:
• Read today’s objectives• Take out all materials you need
for your essay• Clear your desk of everything
else• Read over today’s behavioral
expectations • Raise your hand, and Ms.
Breindel will give you a laptop.• Wait until Ms. Breindel gives
instructions to start using laptops
Behavioral expectations1. Stay focused working on one of
three things (see objectives).2. Work quietly, independently, and
focused.3. If you have a question, write you
name on the board so Ms. Breindel can assist you.
4. If you are too noisy or distracting you will have two warnings. The third warning results in your laptop being taken away and you sent out of class.
Wednesday, 12/22/10Objective: SWBAT1. describe and identify the four types of non-fiction works that may appear on the MCAS.2. describe the possible purposes that an essay can have3. identify the main idea and author’s purpose of two essays4. [if time, otherwise for homework] practice answering MCAS questions on essays
Do Now: • On the mock MCAS you just took,
did you find the non-fiction passages easier or more difficult? Why?
Look back through your notes on non-fiction and answer the following:
• Define, in your own words, non-fiction.
• What is author’s purpose?• What is a main idea?
Agenda1. Do Now/ Review Do Now2. Go over Objectives &
Agenda3. Non-fiction Identification
Activity4. Review Author’s Purpose
and Main Idea5. Notes on Essays6. Essay Activity
Kinds of Non-fiction Reading Passages on the Reading
Comprehension Part of the MCAS
Non-fiction
Poetry
Biographies, autobiographies
speeches
Essays ; [what we will be focusing on today]
Editorials/newspaper articles
Diary entries/Letters
Interviews and reviews
Instructions and Advertisements
Objective/SWBAT: Describe and identify four types of non-fiction that may appear on the MCAS
Types of Non-Fiction Information Sheet – Part I
Non-fiction What is it?
Poetry Writings that are aesthetic and artistic in form; they follow a number of different styles. May use rhyme, but not always. Examples include Sonnets, Haikus, Odes, etc.
Biographies, autobiographies Informative works that are written in order to inform their audience about a person.Biography = written by another personAutobiography = written about yourself
Speeches A work that is written in order to be presented aloud to a group of people.
Essays A writing on a particular topic; may be informative on persuasive, depending on author’s tone.
Editorials/newspaper articles Written in order to be published in a newspaper. Newspaper articles are informative on a current topic, while editorials include the author’s bias (opinion) in them.
Objective/SWBAT: Describe and identify four different types of non-fiction on the MCAS
Type of Non-Fiction What is it?
Interviews Records of a conversation between two people; may be word for word, or may be a summary of the conversation.
Reviews A critical (biased) account of a work. Types of reviews include films, performances, books, etc.
Instructions Writings that intend to describe how to do something.
Advertisements Work that is intended to persuade its reader to buy something or do a particular action. Usually accompanied by visuals (pictures or graphics).
Diary entries/Letters Personal writings that are usually reflective on daily life or life activities. Diary entries are usually only for the individual writing it, while letters are intended for another person to read. *Business letters are less personal and usually written for a certain intent.
Objective/SWBAT: Describe and identify four different types of non-fiction on the MCAS
Types of Non-Fiction Information Sheet – Part II
Non-fiction Identification ActivityIn groups of 3-4 students, you will be working to identify four types of
non-fiction. Part A: 5 minutes ---STEP 1: Read the descriptions of each work of non-fictionSTEP 2: As a group, create a description, re-write each description in
your own words.Part B: 1 minute per work ---STEP 3: Look at each workSTEP 4: As a group, decide what type of non-fiction it is by using the
description sheet you just created. You may have to read through it to decide what type of non-fiction it is!
STEP 5: When you are finished, use your clicker to enter your response…
Objective/SWBAT: Describe and identify four different types of non-fiction on the MCAS
Things to Think About with Non-fiction• Who is the author writing to?– Who is their intended audience?
• What is the main idea of the work?– What is the main point/message the author wants
his/her reader to know?• Why is the author writing this? In other words,
what is the author’s purpose?– I.e., to entertain, to inform, to persuade, to describe
Wednesday, 12/22/10Objective: SWBAT1. describe and identify the four types of non-fiction works that may appear on the MCAS.2. describe the possible purposes that an essay can have3. identify the main idea and author’s purpose of three essays4. [if time, otherwise for homework] practice answering MCAS questions for essays
Non-Fiction: Author’s Purpose• Author’s write for many reasons. • Writers of short stories, novels or poems often write to
entertain their readers. • They may write articles and non-fiction books that inform to
inform their readers of an issue.• To describe something• To persuade their readers to think and act as they do about
certain issues. • Analyzing the author’s choice of title and the examples or
details used to support the main idea will help you to better understand a non-fiction passage. Objective/SWBAT:
Describe and identify four different types of non-fiction on the MCAS
Essays• An essay is a short piece of writing which is often
written from the author’s personal point of view. • There are a variety of essay styles and forms. Most
academic fields (i.e., college majors) have a different style of essay.
• Styles/Forms of essays include:– Narratives, analytical (i.e., academic), cause and effect,
compare and contrast, historical, scientific, college admission essays, etc.
Wednesday, 12/22/10Objective: SWBAT1. describe and identify the four types of non-fiction works that may appear on the MCAS.2. describe the possible purposes that an essay can have3. identify the main idea and author’s purpose of three essays4. [if time, otherwise for homework] practice answering MCAS questions for essays
Author’s Purpose in an Essay:– Varies depending on type of essay; purposes may
include: to persuade, to describe, to entertain, to analyze– A scientific essay may be written in order to describe a
specific medical condition, while a literary essay may be written in order to analyze a particular work (i.e., a critical essay)
– When you write your college admissions essays you will have a specific purpose for writing it? Can you think of what that might be?
Wednesday, 12/22/10Objective: SWBAT1. describe and identify the four types of non-fiction works that may appear on the MCAS.2. describe the possible purposes that an essay can have3. identify the main idea and author’s purpose of three essays4. [if time, otherwise for homework] practice answering MCAS questions for essays
“A Rose by Any Other Name: the Debate over the ‘Real’ Shakespeare”
• Take margin summary notes as we read. You should have at least 5 sentences written in the margins.
• What is the main idea of this essay?• What is the author’s purpose?• How do you think the author decided on the title?
Why?
Wednesday, 12/22/10Objective: SWBAT1. describe and identify the four types of non-fiction works that may appear on the MCAS.2. describe the possible purposes that an essay can have3. identify the main idea and author’s purpose of three essays4. [if time, otherwise for homework] practice answering MCAS questions for essays
MCAS Article #2 – with a partner
• Take margin summary notes as we read. You should have at least 5 sentences written in the margins.
• What is the main idea of this essay?• What is the author’s purpose?
Wednesday, 12/22/10Objective: SWBAT1. describe and identify the four types of non-fiction works that may appear on the MCAS.2. describe the possible purposes that an essay can have3. identify the main idea and author’s purpose of three essays4. [if time, otherwise for homework] practice answering MCAS questions for essays