2014 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

1. 2014 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test • March 27, 2014 • Go to our Sandalwood library My Class site to access this presentation

2. 2014 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Scoring • The test is out of 400 • You must get 300 / 400 to pass Your job: • Aim for a level 4 to maximize your score

3. Keep your test! • You will want to compare your test to the answers • Use it to review prior to the test • There is feedback on your tests to look at • Ask a teacher about anything that confuses you

4. Sandalwood Mock Test Results • Multiple choice fairly well done • “Name a person you most admire”—fairly well done (short answer) News report needs improvement Series of paragraphs needs improvement

5. Sandalwood Mock Test Results • Level 1 or 2— what you wrote on the mock test would not pass • Level 3 would pass • Level 4 a strong pass which means more marks towards the 300 you need • Good News! A few simple fixes will bring a level 2 to a level 3 or a level 3 to a level 4

6. 2013 Practice Literacy Test Answers and Exemplars Reading Comprehension Multiple Choice—Section B • D • H • A • H • B

7. Reading Comprehension Multiple Choice—Section C • C • G • D • J • B • F • C Most answers are implicit rather than explicit. They are not obvious in the text. What must you do?

8. Section C continued… Transition word + specific supporting detail from text Short Writing Task—Explain how a train can be similar to a bear. Explain using details from the reading and your own ideas to support your answer The Little Bear train and a bear are similar as they both work in the north. First, bears in the north carry food for their young and the train carries food equipment and other freight north for its customers. Also, a train is one of the largest means of transportation and a bear one of the largest land animals. Ultimately, both look after those that live in the north. Topic Sentence Indent Transition word + concluding sentence Transition word + your own idea

9. Section C continued Main idea of selection ShortWriting Task—Summarize this selection. Include a main idea and one supporting detail that supports it. The main idea is that northern Ontario depends upon good transportation for freight, their residents and tourists. The Little Bear train carries both passengers and freight from one destination to another with stops for those who want to get off including those who want to canoe “the major rivers”. This is key because people in the north need goods and tourists want to explore. Specific supporting detail Concluding sentence Note: Focus on one main idea only!

10. Section D When the question asks what “you” think, you may use “I”. ShortWritingTask—Opinion Paragraph— Name a person you admire and explain why. I admire my dad because I respect him more than anyone else in my life. First of all, I have learned a lot from him. For example, when I was being picked on at school, he taught me how to be independent, mentally strong, and courageous. Secondly, whenever I need help I look to him. He has overcome obstacles in his life, having come from a very poor family and has shown me the value of life and how to live it to the fullest. In conclusion, he is a great role model and I will always strive to become like him. Topic sentence Indent 1st reason (point) + supporting detail (proof) 2nd reason (point) + supporting detail (proof) Concluding sentence

11. News Report • Focus on one event from the given picture and headline • Keep verbs in the past tense/event has already happened • Use at least 2-3 direct and indirect quotations from witnesses, experts, and other knowledgeable people to develop the story • Report facts only/ Do not express your opinion • Do not use personal pronouns unless they are part of the quotation • Short 1-3 sentence paragraphs • Indent paragraphs

12. Section E: News ReportLead Paragraph—most important information first School Receives Computers as a Reward Sandalwood Heights Secondary School was the first school to receive fifty computers from the Ontario government because of their overall excellent two-year academic performance. On average they were the best school in Ontario. They received these computers during a special visit from a ministry representative on March 19,2013. Indent each paragraph Lead paragraph: includes the 5 Ws and how

13. -Direct quotation in quotation marks -new paragraph for each new idea / speaker News Report - Paragraph 2/3Quotations / additional info. The principal, Ms. Guyatt was very happy about her students’ accomplishment. Ms. Guyatt said, “I am very proud of my students’ hard work and commitment to excellence.” One student, Jaspreet Gill, said that though they had worked hard to excel in a number of areas, she was still somewhat astonished by the reward. -New Paragraph (new idea and speaker)—Indirect quotation—what Jaspreet Gill said has been paraphrased (put in writer’s own words -no quotation marks necessary

14. News Report - Paragraph 4Additional Information There was reportedly a lot of excitement in the school. Sandalwood Heights has received media attention recently and parents have said that they are happy with their decision to send their children to the school. -Make sure you write the facts only; no opinion; no “I” -Use words such as “reportedly” and “parents have said” so that it is clear where you got your information

15. News Report Concluding Paragraph Both staff and students were obviously happy with the computers, the victory and the positive light that is being shed on their school. “While many schools in the area are concerned about losing students, Sandalwood will continue to grow,” one proud parent council member said. Conclude with interesting but non-essential information that connects to the topic in the lead paragraph.

16. Series of Paragraphs Instructions: Write a series of paragraphs (3-5) expressing an opinion. Topic: Should Zoos Exist? Aim for 5 paragraphs • Introductory paragraph with a thesis statement—will include your opinion + 3 reasons you will use to support your opinion • 3 body paragraphs will develop your 3 reasons –each paragraph will include 2-3 supporting details (evidence) with explanations • Concluding paragraph returns to the thesis and summarizes main ideas

17. Series of Paragraphs—Introductory Paragraph Introductory info./your opinion on the topic There are large zoos in many major cities in North America. While many think that zoos should not exist because animals should not be “warehoused,” but should live in their natural habitats, others think zoos are great for animals and for the public. If left in the wild, many animals would perish so zoos provide safety to many animals. Moreover, the public can see animals they would not normally see and learn about conservation. Zoos can be great for animals and for the public because they can keep animals safe while the public can learn about animals and different ways of protecting them. 1. Thesis statemnt. (bold) 3. 2. Thesis statement includes 3 reasons you will discuss in the body paragraph(s)

18. Body Paragraph 1—1st argument (safety) Reason 1 from thesis Transi-tion/ linking words in red First of all, zoos provide safe living environments for many animals that might die if left in the wild. For example, many animals would fall prey to other large predators if they did not have the security of zoos to protect them. In addition, some animals might find it difficult to take care of their young ones—which could lead to their deaths. If young animals die in large numbers, the species could be at risk. Many zoos help endangered species reproduce and keep their young alive. Furthermore, some animals would find it difficult to forage and would probably perish if there were no zoos or zookeepers to feed them. Zoos therefore can provide safety for animals. 1st sup-porting detail (evidence) + expla- nation 2nd supp. detail + expl. 3rd supp. detail + expl. Concl. Sent.

19. Body Paragraph 2—2nd argument (public access) 1st Supporting detail + expla- nation 2nd supporting detail + explanation Reason # 2 from thesis statement Another good reason that zoos should continue to exist is because people see and learn about animals they might not otherwise see if they were not in a zoo. For example, many animals, like elephants, are inaccessible to most people except those who live in that part of the world. Having them at the zoo can help us to learn about their appearance and habits. Also, even the animals that are from one’s own part of the world might not be easy for the public to see. Having them in a central location gives visitors a chance to see and learn more about the wildlife in their own country. Thus, zoos allow accessibility to many species of animals educating the public about their special traits and environment. Concluding sentence

20. Body Paragraph 3—3rd argument (animal protection/conservation) 1st supp. detail + expla-nation 3rd reason from thesis statement In addition to giving the public a chance to see and learn about many species of animals, zoos also teach the public about conservation. For instance, zoos are increasingly equipped with signs and displays – some interactive – that teach the public about the importance of conservation. As well, zoos also deliver lessons to schools and to visiting students and provide environmental outreach programs such as initiatives to protect the rainforest and its inhabitants. Therefore, zoos contribute to the protection of the animals from environmental harm. 2nd supp. detail + expla-nation Concluding sentence

21. Restate thesis in different words Concluding Paragraph Summarize all 3 arguments in detail Therefore, while zoos could restrict some animals, overall zoos provide safe havens for many animals. Many animals would become extinct if zoos were not around to protect them. In addition to providing signs and displays that aim to teach visitors about animals and ways of conserving endangered species, zoos also conduct educational outreach programs. For these reasons, zoos should continue to exist and thrive for the benefit of society.

22. Managing your time • Watch the clock • Use the following time frame as a guide • Some recommended times may take you less time and others more

23. Booklet One—1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes)

24. Booklet Two—1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes)

25. Further Practice and Information • EQAO—Student Resources for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) • Past tests to look at • Practice tests • http://www.eqao.com/Students/Secondary/10/10.aspx?Lang=E&gr=10