Preparing for the SOLs

Preparing for the SOLsJamie HughesHistory & Social SciencesProfessional Development Specialisthughesjl@pwcs.edu

Thoughts on reviewReview content regularly: It should be an on-going process through the year to help student make connections.

Content specific vocabulary should be developed by using words from the framework, and using tools such as maps, graphs, charts, images, etc. 1/3 of the test is graphics.

When hands-on engagement is increased, interest, retention and transferable skills will also increase. To expand vocabulary and the students ability to access increasingly difficult text, students need to be taught the meanings of new words as well as be given strategies for determining the meaning of unknown words.

2Teachers need to focus on students "doing history" not just "knowing history."

No longer is memorizing the facts enough, they should also be able to:

apply the essential skills

make connections compare and contrast,

analyze primary sources

interpret maps and charts

organize information in flow charts and time lines.

United States History to 1865

Assessments Then and NowUnited States History 1865 to the Present

Assessments Then and NowCivics and Economics

Assessments Then and NowVirginia and United States History

Assessments Then and Now

StationsTeams will investigate SOL review strategies for 10 minutes at each station.Blue Team-Station 1Graphic OrganizersRed Team-Station 2LiteracyGreen Team-Station 3Quick Formative Assessments/Closure