Overview

Test Date: Tuesday, April 1 – Thursday, April 3, 2014 (No, this is not an April Fool’s joke.)

Make Up Dates: Friday, April 4 – Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Source Information:

1.  NYS Testing Program Educator Guide to the 2014 Grade 8 Common Core ELA Test
2. Common Core Test Released Questions with Annotation – Grade 8

 

 Frequently Asked Questions

What type of passages will we be reading?

• All the passages on the test will require close reading. In other words, you cannot speed read. A wise teacher once told me, “I don’t want to know that Cinderella lost her shoe. I want to know that Cinderella lost her right shoe–and it was on the third step to the castle” Take his advice. Be specific. Read for details.
• You will be reading a combination of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Paired passages: Grade 4-8, possibly for short response and extended response. No graphic organizers.
• Some passages may voice strong opinions, and you may not agree. That’s okay.  Considering opposing opinions is a part of learning, too. We did this when we read and wrote about chocolate milk being served in school. You stated your side of the argument and wrote a rebuttal refuting the oppositions claims.
• The passages will be longer and more rigorous, so you will have to stay focused and read at a pretty good rate.
• The sentence structures may be challenging. If you pay attention to the punctuation, it will make sense.
• It will have rich vocabulary. Use the context clues to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.  Remember SLAP:

 Say the word.
Look for clues.
Ask yourself what the meaning might be.
Put word in the passage; does it make sense?

How many points is each section worth?

What are the most missed questions? Historically, the most missed questions are the first and last questions of the test. I believe it is because you are nervous when you start, and then, by the time you get to the end, your brain gets tired, so you make silly mistakes. If you have extra time, go back and check the first and last passages.

How will I be graded? Below is a sample rubric for the short answer responses–written responses that require complete sentences and paragraphs. They are worth two points. There are 8 short answer responses on the test, making them worth a total of 16 points.

Additional Tips

Supplies You Will Need  

• 2-3 #2 pencils
• Highlighters
• Outside reading book

General Test Taking Tips  

A) Reading:

• You will read various genres: fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
• Before you start, SURVEY THE TEXT! This activates your prior knowledge.
• Pay attention to the text features (maps, timelines, charts, footnotes, captions, headings, etc.).
• Annotate or highlight as you read.

B) Multiple-choice: 

• If you have time, read the questions that go with each passage BEFORE  reading. This helps to establish a purpose for reading.
•  After reading each passage, answer the multiple-choice questions.
• Reread sections. You don’t have time to reread the entire text. However, when rereading a section, you will want to consider how the section connects to the entire passage in order to select the correct answer.
• Use headers and the numbers paragraphs to locate the answer quicker.
• If you are not 100% sure of an answer, DO NOT CHANGE IT!

C) Short Answer/Extended Response

Tips on Writing Short Responses

Use RAFx2T to answer short responses

R  -re-phrase or re-stating the question.

A   – answer the question(this is your thesis, what you will spend the essay proving!)

Fx2  – For Example, provide two pieces of text evidence to support your answer, and explain why they are relevant

 T – Tie it up! Provide a concluding statement that mirrors your R and A, simply rephrase your thesis!

 Tips on Writing the Essay:

Use the ABC’s of Planning an Essay:

Attack the Prompt

• Figure out what the prompt is asking you to do
• Separate each task

Brainstorm

• Always look back in the text
• Find text details and quotes to support your ideas

Choose the Order

• Always start with an introduction and end with a conclusion
• The bullets often help you plan the order of the body paragraphs

You should structure your essay as follows:

Introduction:

• Get the reader involved and interested in the topic of your essay
• Include TAG and give background information about the topic (if necessary)
• State your thesis (what your essay is going to prove)

Body paragraphs:

• Use the bullets to help you plan how many body paragraphs to include
• Include about 2-3 pieces of text evidence per body paragraph
• Add your own thoughts and insights; explain what the text details prove

Conclusion:

• Restate the thesis statement. (Say it in different words.)
• Provide a summary of the main points in the body.
• Include a “last thought” or final statement that lets the reader know that the discussion has come to an end.

 

Additional Practice: 

Grade 8 New York State Exam Official State of Assessment Page

Sources: EngageNY, http://www.southamptonpublicschools.org/webpages/KPalumbo/nys.cfm