STAAR TALK

1. STAAR TALK Writing – Monday,March 26, 2012 Reading – Tuesday,March 27, 2012

2. Logistics Get plenty of sleep Sunday and Monday nights Get snacks and water if you want them Bring a sweater and jacket Bring book or magazine for after the test Leave cell phone at home Watch – not digital

3. Restroom Only 4 hours for the test Students are allowed into the restoom one at a time Slow, wait time The time waiting in line is part of the 4 hours. You do not get extra time if you go to the restroom.

4. Day of Test Arrive as close to 8:00 a.m. No cell phones, electronic Get pencils out Bring highlighters, colored pencils

5. Logistics You are allowed to use dictionaries thesaurus highlighters, colored pencils scratch paper (you must ask for this)

6. Writing Test - Monday 15 Multiple Choice – Revision 15 Multiple Choice – Editing At least 1 literary essay At least 1 expository essay 1 additional essay – literary or expository * You will write three essays on Monday

7. You may work on the test in any order.

8. Review of Writing What do you read first on the prompt? Analyze the prompt. Determine your thesis statement (this can be changed through the writing process. Read “Read” and “Think” – Remember not to use these examples on the essay. Expository - Prewrite *

9. Expository Essay Prewrite Thesis Statement - 1. Idea #1 – One reason why (your thesis)___ 2. Idea #2 – Another reason why (your thesis)_ Idea #3 – A third reason why (your thesis ) ___ * If you are having trouble coming up with ideas, change your thesis or complete four square.

10. Expository Essay Prewrite Gather support for your ideas – examples, anecdotes, explanations, etc.(try the four square) Idea #1 – One reason why (your thesis)___ Possible support Possible support Possible support Do this for all three ideas.

11. Expository Essay Prewrite Four square

12. Expository Essay Prewrite Analyze prompt Pre-write Draft (this may be skipped if you have a Great prewrite Final copy Revise, edit

13. `Be sure to watch your time!Approx. 1 hour MC, 1 hour essay 1, 1 hour essay 2, 1 hour, essay 3

14. Literary Essay • Well developed characters • Conflict (problem) and a resolution • Must clearly relate to the prompt • Literary devices – suspense, imagery, • SHOW DON’T TELL

15. Literary Essay • Pre-writing • Flow map • Somebody Wanted But So • Know who your characters and what their traits are before you start writing • Know what the problem is and how it is going to be resolved

16. Reading Test Tuesday, March 27, 2012

17. Reading Test 38 Multiple Choice 2 Short Answers 1 will be a crossover

18. Reading Test Put your pen down and read the selection – Do this for EACH selection Then, read the selection again with pen in hand. Make sure you know the piece is saying literally. Annotate - Highlight

19. Reading Test Read the questions. Re-read the text underlining evidence to support your answer. 5. Color or block

20. Short Answer • Read the question • Analyze the question • Prepare your assertion (take the question and answer it with blanks) • Re-read the selection(s) that the short answer is asking about. • Highlight any appropriate evidence that pertains to the question.

21. Short Answer • Write your answer assertion. • Choose your best evidence. • Answer – assertion, evidence, explanation. FOR THE CROSSOVER QUESTION, you will need evidence from both selections.

22. Multiple Choice • After you have totally finished the test. • Reread the questions. • Put a check by the ones you know you answered correctly., • Put a question mark by the ones you aren’t sure of. • Put a zero by the ones you just don’t know. • Answer – assertion, evidence, explanation. FOR THE CROSSOVER QUESTION, you will need evidence from both selections.

23. Answer the following questions: 5 C’s • Cool • Calm • Collected • Confident • DOWN RIGHT COCKY.