MCAS Trivia
What is the date of the 8th grade ELA MCAS?
MONDAY 4/6 and TUESDAY 4/7
On an average night, I should get this much sleep:
8-10 hours a night (according to the CDC)
What should you look for when reading an essay prompt?
THE ACTION WORD: summarize, compare, argue, explain
Another word for Main Idea on the MCAS is what?
Central Idea
What is a metaphor?
A comparison of two things. (Without using "like" or "as"
Ex: "Life is a journey" or "She is a ray of sunshine"
This step should be done before writing and includes organizing ideas into intro, body, and conclusion.
What is planning or outlining?
How many quotes should you use within an essay?
At least 2-3 (1 per body paragraph!)
When in doubt...
RACES is out
What does infer mean?
To make an educated guess.
What is conflict in literature?
The problem or struggle between two opposing forces
*DOUBLE JEOPARDY* How many days of MCAS do 8th graders have this year?
8!
True or False: MCAS reads your notes on lined paper and looks at your planning step
False (the notes are for you to develop your thinking and keep your focus & for Ms Wolfsberg to give an aspen grade)
What should you create on your scrap paper to help you plan out your essay?
Graphic Organizer
What does explain mean?
To connect evidence with the claim or idea that the evidence supports.
What is alliteration? Give an example.
The repetition of consonant sounds
Ex: The boy buzzed around, as busy as a bee.
True or False: If you are absent on the day of MCAS you do not have to take that session.
FALSE!!! You will have to make up the session you missed.
If a question asks you to compare, what is expected from you?
Compare means to look at common characteristics and identify how things are alike or similar.
Ex: In ELA students can look for repeated language, motifs or symbols that an author used in the same text.
What are the necessary components of your essay???? (5)
Thesis (Claim/Central Idea)
Example
Evidence
Explanation
Conclusion
What does "support your claim" mean?
To provide evidence and explain how it supports your claim (what you are trying to prove/argue).
What is a hyperbole? Give an example.
An extreme exaggeration
"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse"
How long do you have to finish your MCAS test?
Up until the end of the day (as long as you are productively working)
This strategy asks students to briefly restate what they just read after each section.
What is summarizing?
These words (like “however” and “for example”) help connect ideas in writing.
What are transition words?
What does portray mean?
To show what someone or something is like.
What does MCAS stand for?
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System