The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment READING

1.  The Pennsylvania System of School AssessmentREADING

2. Every single PSSA question is important—every question counts. Answer all questions. There is not a penalty on PSSA for wrong answers. You get a point for every question that is correct. You may underline, highlight, or take notes in the test booklet, but not the answer booklet. You can look back to the text while answering test questions. You must use a #2 pencil for this entire test. PSSA READINGThings to Remember

3. Before Reading the Text: Read all directions carefully. Make sure you understand what you are being asked to do. Read the title(s) and author(s) of the passages. (You may need to read more than one passage.) Read the open-ended question carefully. Read the open-ended question again and highlight or underline important key words. Be sure you understand what you are asked to do before you begin reading. USE GOOD READING STRATEGIES

4. Look for and highlight, underline, or make notes about specific facts, details Make note of examples that will be used to support your open-ended response. Take your time and read carefully. Remember, this is not a timed test. During Reading:

5. After Reading the Text: Work on multiple-choice questions. Remember to: 1. Use process of elimination. 2. Choose the BEST answer. 3. Reread the text. When everyone has finished reading, we will go over the multiple-choice questions. Do not begin the open-ended question. READ GOLDFINCHESBY Mary Oliver

6. Which word best describes the tone of the poem? a. Joyful b. Restrained c. Sympathetic d. Contemplative Many answers may seem correct to you, be sure to choose the BEST answer! GOLDFINCHESQuestion #1

7. The speaker suggests that as the birds carry the down, they seem a. Annoyed b. Determined c. Confused d. Frightened Look for key phrases or words GOLDFINCHESQuestion #2

8. One reason the poet addresses the readers directly in the last stanza is to a. Evaluate their understanding of the poem. b. Contradict the main ideas presented in the poem. c. Emphasize the mood established in the poem. d. Prepare for a change of subject within the poem. Go back and reread the section of the passage if you are not sure of your answer. GOLDFINCHESQuestion #3

9. Read the following lines from the poem. “as though their minds were on fire with the flower of one perfect idea”  These lines suggest that the goldfinches a. Knew what they had to do. b. Looked like perfect flowers c. Used flowers to build their nests. d. Were still growing and learning. Use process of elimination! GOLDFINCHESQuestion #4

10. Reread the question. Create a graphic organizer to pre-write your response. Write a rough draft on the paper provided. Write your final draft on the PSSA answer sheet. You may only use the space provided. Be sure you have at least two supports from the text in your response, but always try to give one more support than is required. Tips for Answering Open-Ended Questions

11. Remember to use good reading strategies Before Reading: Carefully read the open-ended question. During Reading: Look for and highlight, underline, or make notes about specific facts, details Make note of examples that will be used to support your open-ended response. Student Editorial # 2Teenage Drivers

12. Analyze the effectiveness of Student 2’s use of facts and statistics. Use at least two examples from the Student 2 Editorial to support your analysis. Teenage DriversOpen-Ended Question

13. 3 Demonstrates complete knowledge of understanding how the use of facts is used to make a point by analyzing the effectiveness of Student 2’s use of facts and statistics and by using at least two examples from the Student 2 Editorial to support the analysis. 2 Demonstrates partial knowledge of understanding how the use of facts is used to make a point by analyzing the effectiveness of Student 2’s use of facts and statistics, but does not make an explicit connection with details from reading. Open-Ended Scoring Guideline

14. 1 Demonstrates incomplete knowledge of understanding how the use of facts is used to make a point by analyzing the effectiveness of Student 2’s use of facts and statistics. (Example: Student analyzes Student 2’s use of facts and statistics without using any examples from the Student 2 Editorial to support the analysis.) 0 Gives a response that provides insufficient material for scoring or is inaccurate in all aspects.

15. When you have finished your rough draft (graphic organizer, outline, etc. ) copy your response to the PSSA answer sheet. After completing your final copy, proofread and check that you have at least two specific reasons and examples as required by the question. Open-Ended Response

16. Student 2 uses facts and statistics to support the argument that young drivers should have passenger restrictions, which is effective because it really makes you stop and think. Student 2 cites statistics from the National Transportation Safety Board that say 7,884 drivers in 2003 involved in serious accidents were ages 15 to 20. Another statistic Student 2 uses in the argument for younger driver restrictions is from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This group said that teens are four times more likely to have a car accident than older drivers. Top Scoring Student Response (3 Points):

17. Testing Begins Monday, April 12th