How long do you have to complete the PSSAs?
All the time that you need. If you need more time-JUST ASK!
Which test taking strategy is especially helpful for vocabulary questions?
Plug it in!
What are the different types of figurative language? Explain each.
Simile/metaphor, alliteration, personification, onomatopoeia.
How should you prepare for the PSSAs?
-Get a good night sleep
-East breakfast in the morning
-Keep POSITIVE!
The most important thing that you need to do when writing a TDA response is to…?
ANALYZE!!!!!
What strategies should you use to draft at thesis for your TDA response?
Turn the question around. Cross off/eliminate question & direction words. Keep words that relate to the task.
What annotations should you make when reading a fiction or nonfiction passage?
Strong word choice, important events or actions of the character, summary statements.
How can you avoid letting your concentration affect your performance on the PSSAs?
-Reread
-Take a mental break
-Stretch in seat
True or False: You can annotate and underline in your ANSWER booklet.
False. You can annotate and underline in your TEST booklet only.
What special type of multiple choice questions should you look out for?
2 answer questions
What should be included in your introduction and closing of a TDA response?
Thesis, words from prompt/text, reasons/answer to the prompt.
Which 2 multiple choice strategies should be used for ALL multiple choice questions?
-Slash the Trash
-Go back and find the answer/evidence in the text.
What should you do when you finish your test?
Reread all questions and answers. Reread all written responses for accuracy and check for errors.
What are the steps to completing a TDA prompt?
1-Four Square, 2-Draft, 3-Editing, 4-Final Copy
What should you include to improve the organization of your writing?
Transitions
What are the different sections of the ELA PSSA? What types of passages and questions will you see?
Grammar questions, fiction/nonfiction passages to read, multiple choice questions to answer, TDA essay.
True or False:
You should mark your answer in the TEST BOOKLET and ANSWER Booklet.
True. This makes it easier to check your work or go back to a question.
What do you annotate in a POEM?
-Author’s Purpose
-Figurative Language
-Mood
-Theme-
-Meter/Rhyme
For a ONE answer question, what should you do when you think there are two correct answer choices?
-Find that part in the text and reread.
-Reread both choices.
-Look closely at the word choice used in each answer choice.