Final MCAS prep 2015 Mr. Heinegg, Mr. Ambrose, Ms. Hart Mr. Bowen-Flynn, Mr. Esner.

Final MCAS prep

2015 Mr. Heinegg, Mr. Ambrose, Ms. Hart Mr. Bowen-Flynn, Mr. Esner

How is MCAS Scored?

36 multiple choice questions (1 point each) = 36 pointsQuestions based on reading passages in all major

genres4 open response questions (4 points each) = 16 points

1-2 paragraph responses that use textual evidence1 long composition (scored out of 10 by 2 readers) = 20 points5-7 paragraph essay about a book that you know wellTotal Points up for grabs = 72 points

MCAS scoring

How many points do I need to pass the test?On the 2012 MCAS ELA test for 10th grade, students needed to earn 41 of 72 possible points to get a Proficient score.On the 2012 MCAS ELA test for 10th grade, students needed to earn 59 of 72 possible points to get an Advanced score.

Score Recalibration260-280 = Advanced (again, at least 59 of 72 possible points)240-258 = Proficient (again, at least 41 of 72 possible points)220-238 = Needs Improvement (not technically “passing”)200-218 = Failing

I think you can all achieve advanced!

Reading Comprehension

Take a cursory glance at the selectionWhat is the genre?Establish the length and the number of questionsTake a good look at the open response question

Reading Comprehension

Read the questions firstRead the questions again!Eliminate obvious wrong answersAnnotate your testKeep track of paragraph #s that’s exactly where the answers will be

Reading Comprehension

For main idea questions, remember (logically) that the answer will be general and NOT a detailFor vocabulary in context, plug in the possible answer and read it to yourself in your head;

Reading Comprehension

For anything written by a person who is not a part of the Dead White Man posse, remember that the answer cannot cast the subject or the author in a negative light, i.e.the test is vanilla and wants to offend no one…

Open Responses

Aim for 2-3 paragraphs apieceUse T-GAS to start with a strong thesisT(itle) G(enre) A(uthor) S(ummary), e.g.“We will rock you” is a rock song by the theatrical British rock band Queen that melts faces everywhere with its anthemic awesomeness.Prove that thesis!Use quotes from the selectionMake sure you’ve made sense and argued wellClincher

Long Composition - Thursday

The long comp is a dynamic character essay or a static character essaythey vary how they get you to write, but historically it’s always been about a character from a work of literature, and YES YOU CAN USE A MOVIE, just

underline the title.

Long Composition

Have two-three movies in your head that you know cold, and know the protagonists coldWrite the Identify the character paragraphbefore the test (today!)Aim for a bare minimum of 5 paragraphs

Long Composition

Perhaps it will look like this…

Often in works of literature, characters gain wisdom through experience.From a work of literature you have read in or out of school, select a character who gains wisdom through experience. In a well-developed composition, (#1)Identify the character, (#2)describe how the character gains wisdom through experience, and (#3)explain how this wisdom relates to the work as a whole

the first part is your Identify the Character paragraph (we’re writing this today)the second part can be several paragraphs (you needn’t stick to a 5 para. model)the third part means how does the lesson relate to the work’s OVERALL THEME (or message)

Long Composition

Use your best vocabularyUnderline your titleUse T-GASAvoid contractionsIndentUse the dictionary to check your spellingDot your i’s (you know who you are!)

Long Composition

Make sure each body paragraph has a thorough structureTopicExample, Elaboration (3x)Clincher

Final thoughts on this?