Reading Strategies
What does an Expert Tester read BEFORE reading the MCAS passage? Three POSSIBLE ANSWERS
Read the questions before they begin reading the passage.
Highlight or annotate questions
Create two column notes
What is the first strategy for reducing the number of answer choices in a multiple choice question? What tool could you use?
Use the "answer eliminator" tool.
What makes up a strong body paragraph?
CER
What are some ways that you can ensure that your body and mind are ready for the challenge of the MCAS on Wednesday and Thursday? (multiple answers)
answers will vary
What’s wrong with this Popular Bad Idea? “I made sure to bring snacks to keep me energized! I’ve got Cheetos, Sprite, chips, and a Snickers bar!”
Junk food can give you some quick energy, but the resulting fatigue comes back even stronger than before.
What is a strategy for making sure you are comprehending the passage, not just decoding it?
-Chunking and summarizing information in your two column notes.
-Take Notes
-Highlight or annotate
Give the definition of the "distractor" answer in a multiple choice question.
The answer that looks good at first, but is not the BEST answer!
True or False: If you want to, you can complete the open response question for a passage BEFORE answering the multiple choice.
TRUE! There is no rule against this. If you know that you need full energy for the open response, you can do it before answering the multiple choice.
The test begins. Everyone is working. Suddenly, you panic, worrying you will forget everything you know. What are some ways to regain control over your fear? (multiple answers)
answers vary
What’s wrong with this Popular Bad Idea? “I don’t have to read the whole passage…I already found the answers in the text!”
MCAS Man designs the distractor so that it looks like the right answer…to someone who didn’t carefully read the whole passage!
Billy reads an MCAS passage and highlights important parts of the text before going to the questions. What else should he be doing in addition to highlighting?
Writing reasons WHY he is highlighting the text in his two column notes or on his notepad
Before uncovering the multiple choice answers to a question, you must…
Go back to the text to find the correct answer yourself!
What is the first question you should ask yourself after reading a writing prompt?
What is the writing genre?
What is the main idea?
Research shows that stretching during breaks in a test increases your energy and confidence. Why might this be true?
Sitting down for hours without moving your body is not good for you. Stretching reinvigorates your body and mind!
What’s wrong with this Popular Bad Idea? “I know how important it is to mark up the text…that’s why I’m highlighting every other word!”
Highlighting without knowing WHY you are highlighting is a waste of time.
When you find an answer to a question in the passage, what should you immediately do? MULTIPLE POSSIBLE ANSWERS.
Write the question number in the part of the text where you find the answer. Highlight that part of the passage. See which multiple choice option best matches your answer.
When you read a multiple choice question, what is the best way to make sure you know the correct answer BEFORE choosing the correct letter?
Cover the answers and come up with your OWN answer by going back to the text!
Create a graphic organizer for an informational essay.
Intro:
Body 1: CER
Body 2: CER
Body 3: CER
Conclusion:
TRUE OR FALSE: Closing your eyes and imagining your success is corny and childish.
COMPLETELY FALSE. Growth mindset!
What’s wrong with this Popular Bad Idea? “On the open response, I did everything right! I answered the question and listed 3 pieces of textual evidence.”
A list of textual evidence is not enough for an open response! The whole point is for you to explain HOW your evidence proves your answer.
TRUE OR FALSE: On the MCAS, you can read the questions first and then just look for the answers in the text.
FALSE: If you don’t read the WHOLE passage from beginning to end, you WILL fall for the distractor answers.
Why is it important to create your own answer to multiple choice questions BEFORE looking at the answers?
Because creating your own answer forces your brain to work, which prevents you from falling for the distractor.
Which open response would score higher: one with 3 pieces of evidence and no explanation, or 2 pieces of evidence with great explanations?
The second one, because the reader must clearly see the connection between your evidence and your thesis statement.
What should you do if you think you are running out of time during the MCAS?
TRICK QUESTION!!! You can’t run out of time on the MCAS. ?It is untimed! You have as much time as you need. Isn’t that nice of MCAS Man?
What’s wrong with this Popular Bad Idea? “Man, this passage is really boring…I’m going to hurry up and get through it so I can read something more interesting!”
The MCAS is NOT meant to be entertaining. It is a test of your reading and writing ability.