24 OCTOBER 2014

Exciting Strategies for 2014 GED® Test Prep Instruction

Presenter:Meagen FarrellFarrell Ink LLC

Instructional Designer & Author

Objectives

Master Basics of the GED® TestMix and Match GED® Test Assessment

TargetsExplore at Least Ten Strategies for

Interdisciplinary Instruction

Our activities connect with the following Research-Based Best Practices for Adult Literacy:

Participate in and facilitate supportive learning environments.

Use authentic instructional materials.Promote learner persistence.

Source: A Framework for Program Improvements in Adult Literacy

Basics of the GED® Test

Four Intertwined Subjects

Standards-Based

Computer-Based

Depth of Knowledg

e

What You Will Know?

The motto of the Common Core State Standards is “______er, _______er, ______er.”

GED® Test items connected to the Depth of Knowledge Levels: Level One: ____% Levels Two & Three: ____% Level Four: ___%

The GED® test includes writing: ____ min extended response in Reasoning through

Language Arts. ____ min extended response in Social Studies. ____ short answer responses in Science for ____ min

each.

Four Intertwined Subjects

Reasoning through

Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Mathematical

Reasoning

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Content from Real Life Scenarios

Reasoning through

Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Mathematical

Reasoning

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Writing Constructed Responses

Reasoning through

Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Mathematical

Reasoning

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Interpreting Data

Reasoning through

Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Mathematical

Reasoning

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Standards Based: (Sound Smart at a Cocktail Party)

STANDARDSA list of what students need to know and be able

to do in order to advance.

COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS (CCSS) Skills standards in English Language Arts &

Mathematics used by 47 states and territories. Motto: “Fewer, clearer, higher”

CONTENT STANDARDSInformation students need to know in Science,

Social Studies, etc.

GED® ASSESSMENT TARGETSSelection of CCSS and national content standards

that are measured on the test.

CONTENT TOPIC: Life Science

SKILL STANDARD:

SP.1.b: Determine the meaning of symbols, terms and phrases as they are used in scientific presentations.

Most Test Items Are Aligned To Both:

Computer-Based Testing Taking Skills

In addition to using a mouse, test-takers must:Scroll down a pageNavigate between tabs to read pagesSelect answers from drop-down menusDrag-and-drop answers to a graph, chart or

graphic organizerUse a virtual calculator (TI-30XS)Type two short answers and two extended

responsesUse basic word processing tools (cut, copy, paste,

undo, redo)

Sample Test Item

©2013 GED Testing Service.

Depth of Knowledge

Measures cognitive complexity of a task.

GED® test items: 20% level 1 80% levels 2 & 3

Similar to Bloom’s Taxonomy.

1

•Verbatim Recall

•Paraphrasing

2

•Main point, patterns

•Identify relationships

3

•Inference & synthesis

•Prediction, elaboration

4

•Generating hypotheses

•Complex analysis

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Questions?

Find a Partner

Take 5 minutes to discuss the GED® test. Do you have any new insights for teaching? What are the biggest impacts on your students or your program?

As a reminder, we discussed: Four Intertwined Subjects Standards-Based Computer-Based Testing Depth of Knowledge

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Implications for Instruction

Who would like to share? Name one insight about teaching Name one implication for your students Name one effect on your program

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

10 MINUTE BREAK

MIX & MATCH ASSESSMENT TARGETS

Let’s Take a Closer Look!

WE need to know the goals before we can help students achieve them!

GED® ASSESSMENT TARGETSSelection of CCSS and national content

standards that are measured on the test. What will students be asked to DO? Skills.What do they need to KNOW? Content.CCSS Motto: “Fewer, Clearer, Higher.”

CONTENT TOPIC: SKILL STANDARD:

SP.1.b: Determine the meaning of symbols, terms and phrases as they are used in scientific presentations.

Remember, Most Test Items Are Aligned To:

Life Science, Human Body & Health

Activity: Mix & Match

1. Select a subject (may re-arrange for at least 3-4 people per group).

2. Within your group, decide who will be recorder and who will report back.

3. Take some time to skim the major categories in each subject.

4. Select one content target AND one skill target that your students need to know.

5. Share your decision with the large group.

Responses? Questions?

TEN STRATEGIES FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY

INSTRUCTION

Remember, Four Intertwined Subjects?

Reasoning through

Language Arts

Science

Social Studies

Mathematical

Reasoning

©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

Five Interdisciplinary Activities

1. Activity 36: Using an Editing Checklist (p. 82-83, 192)

2. Activity 44: Graph a Text (p. 100-101)3. Activity 29: Traits Web (p. 73)4. Activity 6: Previous Lesson Review: Vocab

(p. 42)5. Activity 64: Computer Games: Seriously Fun

(p. 138)

Your Turn!

20 minutes to create your own activities:5 minutes to brainstorm as many

instructional activities as you can to teach the content and skill standard you selected. There are no bad ideas!

5 minutes to narrow your list to your top five ideas.

1 minute to select your top activity.9 minutes to create a very brief skit

explaining or modeling your activity.

Report Back: Skits!

QUIZ TIME!!!

What Do You Know?

The motto of the Common Core State Standards is “______er, _______er, ______er.”

GED® Test items connected to the Depth of Knowledge Levels: Level One: ____% Levels Two & Three: ____% Level Four: ___%

The GED® test includes writing: ____ min extended response in Reasoning through

Language Arts. ____ min extended response in Social Studies. ____ short answer responses in Science for ____ min

each.

Quiz Answers

The motto of the Common Core State Standards is “______er, _______er, ______er.”

GED® Test items connected to the Depth of Knowledge Levels: Level One: ____% Levels Two & Three: ____% Level Four: ___%

The GED® test includes writing: ____ min extended response in Reasoning through

Language Arts. ____ min extended response in Social Studies. ____ short answer responses in Science for ____ min

each.

Thank You!

Please complete the evaluation!This workshop was developed with the

support of The Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland.

GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education and may not be used without permission. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license.