2006-2007 MLMS Curriculum Bulletins

<body background="_themes/axis/axibkgnd.gif" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000" link="#00CC00" vlink="#996666" alink="#FF9933"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tr><td><font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <p align="center"><u><font size="4" color="#800000" face="Arial">TEST TAKING TIPS</font></u></p> <p align="center"> </p> </font></td></tr></table><table dir="ltr" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tr><td valign="top" width="1%"><font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <p>   </p> </font></td><td valign="top" width="24"></td><td valign="top"><font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <p>This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them.</p> </font></td></tr></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tr><td><font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">Here are a few tips that will help you on every assessment:</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial"> </font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial"><b>Before the test:</b></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">1.  Get a good night’s sleep, at least eight solid hours.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">2.  Eat a healthy breakfast and don’t argue with anyone before the test.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000"><font face="Arial"><font size="4">3</font><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal"><font size="4">.  </font></span></font><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><font size="4" face="Arial"> Make sure you read daily; the more you read the wider your vocabulary and the easier it will be for you to comprehend different texts.</font></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial"> </font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial"><b>During the test:</b></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" face="Arial"><font size="4">1.  </font><b><font size="4">Activate your background knowledge: </font></b> <font size="4">Read the title and any captions provided, look at the charts, maps and graphs because questions will be asked where you will have to refer to them.</font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial"> </font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000"><font size="4" face="Arial">2.  </font><font face="Arial"><b><font size="4">Develop a purpose for reading: </font></b><font size="4"> Quickly read the questions before reading the passage; this alerts you as to what to look for in the passage so you pay very close attention. Underline answers to questions as you read the passage.</font></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial"> </font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" face="Arial"><font size="4">3.  </font><b><font size="4">Actively monitor your comprehension: </font></b> <font size="4">Carefully read the passage paragraph by paragraph, make sure you track your text and stop after every paragraph to quickly summarize in your mind what you got from the paragraph; don’t wait until you get to the end of the passage. It’s useless to just read through a passage quickly and not have any idea what it’s about when you get to the end of the passage.</font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial"> </font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial"><b>Manage your time wisely</b></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial"><b> </b></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">4.  Don’t spend too much time on any passage or question; when the teacher tells you how long you have quickly see how many passages you need to read then divide it by the time provided and give yourself a certain amount of time for each passage.  Don’t rush through it but don’t spend all your time on one passage, if it is difficult skip it and go back to it at the end; just make sure you look at the number you are bubbling to make sure it is the correct one for the question being answered.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">5.  The passages may not be very stimulating but you need to be able to read passages that are information based and be able to answer questions; remember you can go back in the passage for the answers.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">6.  Read each of the question options carefully; generally you can eliminate one or two right away but there are usually at least two that seem right.  Look for words like always, seldom, often, usually etc. because they can make a difference in the answer.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">7.  If there are any graphics such as maps, charts or diagrams you can be assured that at least one or more questions will have you refer to it. You need to understand its purpose and the information it is conveying.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000"><font face="Arial"><font size="4">8</font><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal"><font size="4">.  </font></span></font><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><font size="4" face="Arial"> Once you have selected an answer don’t change it unless you’re absolutely certain it is right; many times we change it for the wrong answer.  Go with your gut instinct.  If you don’t know the answer then take an “educated” guess through the process of elimination.</font></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">9.  Carefully mark your answer sheet and erase carefully; do not leave stray marks on your paper.  Make sure you periodically look at the question number and answer number to make sure they match.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">10.  When completing performance task questions (long/short response questions) make sure you find support and details from the text and put it in your own words. Make sure you read the question carefully so you know what it is asking you and stick to the topic. Don’t ramble aimlessly.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000"><font size="4" face="Arial">11.  </font><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><font size="4" face="Arial">Make sure you write neatly and legibly; the text examiners will not spend a lot of time on your paper trying to figure out what you wrote; they will give you zero points if they can’t read the response.  They have hundreds of tests to grade and they don’t spend a lot of time on any of them so get to the point and provide support and details <b>from the passage! </b>You must try to get points on these questions because you cannot pass the FCAT without them; even if you get all your multiple choice questions correct you will not pass if you don’t get points for the performance task questions.</font></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">12.  Have a positive attitude and remember to focus your entire attention on the test for all the time given; this is your opportunity to demonstrate your growth for the year. Don’t disappoint yourself or others by taking it lightly; it will determine your classes for next year so treat it with respect.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">13.  If done earlier make sure you double check your work.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000"><font size="4" face="Arial">14.  </font><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><font size="4" face="Arial">Do the best you can and remember that your work is a reflection of you. People you don’t know will look at that test and will be able to tell a lot about you so try your hardest to apply yourself. Don’t get frustrated, as long as you try and do your best we can’t ask for more.</font></span></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">15.  Continue reading after the test has been taken; reading will enhance your background knowledge on a variety of topics and will enlarge your vocabulary which will make you a more skillful, proficient reader.  You should make reading a consistent activity that you do at least 4-6 days a week.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Arial">16.  Vary the texts you read; pick up picture books to develop science and content area knowledge.  Read biographies and articles from the Internet, newspapers, magazines etc.  Anything you read will help your skills as long as it is challenging and informative.</font></p> <p> </p> </font></td></tr></table></body>