Test TipsTest Tipsfor the ELAfor the ELATest TipsTest Tips

for the ELAfor the ELABy Ms. Scarborough’s classBy Ms. Scarborough’s class

The ELA Test• Two parts - multiple choice and listening

• Two consecutive days January 13,14

• It is a timed test. (Special needs students are tested according to their IEP’s.)

• Scores to parents in June/July from NYS

Part 1• 4 reading passages

• Genre could be fiction, non-fiction, or poetry

• Each passage is followed by 4-8 multiple choice questions about it

Part II• Listening passage (genre fiction-fantasy)• Read aloud by teacher first time through• Second time read aloud, students take

notes• From their notes and memory of the

story, students answer questions• Short answer responses• Completing chart, table or web

Eating and Sleeping

Emily: Remember to get a good night sleep and eat breakfast in the morning.

To get the BIG picture …. scan the page

Amanda: Scan the page top to bottom, left to right … what do you notice?

Look for the directions

Rasheed: The directions are not always on the top of the page …. You may need to look for them ….

Read Directions

Jalin: Look for the “BIG D” … that means look for the directions and follow them carefully.

Underline important words

Briah: Underline the important words in the directions. Be selective about what you underline.

Read the questions FIRST

Sophia: Read the questions first if you can, then while you are reading you know what you are looking for in the passage.

Underline words in question

Nicholas: Underline the important words in the questions to keep you focused on what you need to answer.

Three types of questions

• Kendall: • LB (Look back)• LBT (Look back

and think) • OYO (On your

own)

Look Back QuestionJake: Look back

questions mean the answer to the question is right in the passage, just go back and look for it. You could put your finger right on it.

Look Back and Think Question

Phoebe: Look back and think questions require you to go back to the passage and find the answer. You will need to think (or infer) to help with answering these questions.

On Your Own Question

Miranda: On your own question means that the author is making you think about the topic and construct an answer based on what you think.

Cross off the goofy answer

Kayla: The answer is there for multiple choice, so cross off the goofy choice to help you in choosing the BEST answer.

Three genres of literature

Kayla: There are three genres on the test usually …. Fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. Any of these genre could be on the test.

Chose the BEST answer

Jacob: Choose the BEST answer given in the multiple choice questions.

Attention to ALL, MANY, MOST

Arielle: Pay attention to those tricky words like all, many, and most.

Careful with NOT or EXCEPT

Jonathan: Be careful with not or except in any of the questions.

Best answer?

Maddy: Before choosing an answer, … think … is it the BEST answer?

All the answers are in the passage

Noah: Relax … all the answers are in the passage- just look back.

Take your BEST guess

Bethanie: Take your best guess on the multiple choice questions. Do not leave any blank!

Timed Test but ….

Saeed: Even though it is a timed test, you should read and write (edit) as much as you can.

Complete sentences for short response

Ayana: Be sure to write in complete sentences when answering short response questions … yes … steal and spit the words from the question into the answer!

Stay focused

Andrew: Stay focused with your time and the task. Choose the best answer to the multiple choice questions.

Answer and Go BackSequoyah: If you are

not sure about the answer of the question, answer, and go back … maybe the other answers will help you with the one you were unsure about.

We are We are working working hardhard to learn to learn

these strategies these strategies in readingin reading

and writing …..and writing …..

Thank youThank you for all your help for all your help in in

reinforcing these new skills!reinforcing these new skills!

Thank youThank you for all your help for all your help in in

reinforcing these new skills!reinforcing these new skills!

Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!Thank you!