March 2019
Important ELA Information
From : Ms. Galang (dgalang@k051.org)
1. Independent reading:
"A book is a gift you can open again and again." — Garrison Keillor
a. Students need to have at least 1 independent reading book in school with them at all times. They need to be prepared for Project Real and for in-class independent reading periods. They should also work toward individual goals such as reading challenging books or finishing a series.
b. Outside of school, students should be reading at least 3 hours a week. The more they read, the better. Also, they should be completing a monthly reading log.
c. We are running out of books in our classroom library. Many books are being taken but not returned to my library; students must replace lost or damaged books or pay $10 for paperbacks or $15 for hardcovers.
Ways to get more books into our children’s hands:
-purchase books for your child and/or for our classroom library through my 8th grade Book Wish List on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/WKYHM1B9RCA8/ref=cm_wl_sortbar_o_page_1
-go to the public library; make sure your child has a library card. You can place books on hold, borrow e-books, and simply browse and take out books. Use the convenient, user-friendly website: http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/
-encourage family and friends to purchase books as gifts
Kindles and e-readers are highly encouraged; students can use them in school, as long as they use them for independent reading only.
2. Test Overview
a. Skills aligned with the Common Core Standards are integrated into our curriculum and are practiced regularly. From now until the test, we will be working on the format of the exam and practicing test-taking strategies. The best way for students to prepare and maximize success is to READ A LOT and increase endurance and stamina.
b. General information:
Tuesday April 2
Day 1/Book 1- no time limit, but plan to complete the test within three periods
– 5 passages – 35 multiple choice questions
Wed April 3
Day 2/Book 2- no time limit, but plan to complete the test within three periods
-3 passage- 7 multiple choice questions
-7 short responses & 1 extended response (you will have to read and analyze paired texts and write an essay)
About the texts – they will be authentic (already existing articles, essays, stories, poems, etc.) or commissioned (written by test-makers):
3-5 Literary Passages (poetry, fiction, drama)
3-5 Informational Passages (expository, argumentative, instructional, or narrative)
100% of points require close reading; all questions are text-based
50% of score: multiple choice
30% of score: essay (extended response)
20%: short responses
c. Ways to prepare and get support:
-come to Wednesday morning test prep 8:10-8:40
-READ daily; read a range of genres; critically read Upfront articles
-Review notes and handouts on: writing reading responses, incorporating quotations, sentence structure, writing argument essays, writing about fiction, writing about nonfiction, poetry packet, and literary devices
-Be prepared with sharpened #2 pencils, bottle of water, and your own tissues on the days of the test. -Also,have a fueling breakfast, and be on time to school.
d. Miscellaneous:
-General info:https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/learning/testing/ny-state-english-language-arts
-If you are opting out, please email the principal at gstanis2@schools.nyc.gov and print out a letter and hand it in to your homeroom teacher.
If you have any questions, please email me at dgalang@k051.org.
8th Grade ELA Test Strategies
I. Multiple-Choice Questions Strategies
1. Scan the title and text; try to identify genre. This should be quick and automatic.
2. Read questions before reading text (not the answer choices).
3. Read passage and underline evidence that answer the questions.
4. Read the questions carefully. Underline key words.
5. Answer the questions; reread the questions carefully:
a. Think about and answer the question in your head.
b. Read all the answer choices.
c. Use process of elimination.
d. Go back to the text to find evidence that supports the answer.
e. Choose the best answer. Don’t get tricked. Often there is more than one possible answer, but you have to pick the answer that more accurately fulfills each part of the question.
II. Short-Response Questions:
-Read question carefully and unpack it:
-What are they asking you to do? What do you need to include in your answer?
-Underline key words. Use the language of the question in your answer.
-Plan and answer the question:
-1st sentence: answer the question; restate the prompt
-2nd sentence: provide the number of details they are asking you to provide, most likely 2
-3rd sentence: elaborate on evidence and connect back to the answer
To get a 2, you must have:
-Valid inferences and analysis of prompt and text
-Relevant and sufficient details
-Correct, complete sentences
III. Extended Response -
This will take place on day 2 and will involve comparing/contrasting paired texts.
It is a good idea to write the essay first since it is worth 30% of the test.
It is scored out of 4 points. To get a 4, you must:
-Have a compelling introduction
-Demonstrate insightful analysis of texts
-Develop topic with well-chosen evidence
-Clearly and skillfully organize the essay
-Provide a compelling and relevant conclusion
-Demonstrate command of grammar and spelling
Guidelines:
-Read the questions first.
-Read and annotate the texts.
-PLAN the essay by writing a brief outline; decide how you will organize the essay and plan main idea and evidence of each paragraph
-Write the essay.
-Check your work.
Example: Writing an Essay/Extended Response
Compare and contrast Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 with a modern sonnet (choose 1 from packet). What are the most significant similarities and differences? What do these reveal about the significance of the sonnet structure?
In your response, be sure to:
-explain 2 meaningful similarities and 1 difference
-include specific details from both poems
-explain at least 2 reasons the sonnet structure is important
1. Brainstorm - list, web, or chart general ideas:
2. Plan Your Essay: consider planning the body paragraphs first then writing your claim/thesis:
Claim/Thesis:
Topic sentence/main idea 1:
Evidence:
Topic sentence/main idea 2:
Evidence:
Topic sentence/main idea 3:
Evidence:
Important ELA Information
From : Ms. Galang (dgalang@k051.org)
1. Independent reading:
"A book is a gift you can open again and again." — Garrison Keillor
a. Students need to have at least 1 independent reading book in school with them at all times. They need to be prepared for Project Real and for in-class independent reading periods. They should also work toward individual goals such as reading challenging books or finishing a series.
b. Outside of school, students should be reading at least 3 hours a week. The more they read, the better. Also, they should be completing a monthly reading log.
c. We are running out of books in our classroom library. Many books are being taken but not returned to my library; students must replace lost or damaged books or pay $10 for paperbacks or $15 for hardcovers.
Ways to get more books into our children’s hands:
-purchase books for your child and/or for our classroom library through my 8th grade Book Wish List on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/WKYHM1B9RCA8/ref=cm_wl_sortbar_o_page_1
-go to the public library; make sure your child has a library card. You can place books on hold, borrow e-books, and simply browse and take out books. Use the convenient, user-friendly website: http://www.bklynpubliclibrary.org/
-encourage family and friends to purchase books as gifts
Kindles and e-readers are highly encouraged; students can use them in school, as long as they use them for independent reading only.
2. Test Overview
a. Skills aligned with the Common Core Standards are integrated into our curriculum and are practiced regularly. From now until the test, we will be working on the format of the exam and practicing test-taking strategies. The best way for students to prepare and maximize success is to READ A LOT and increase endurance and stamina.
b. General information:
Tuesday April 2
Day 1/Book 1- no time limit, but plan to complete the test within three periods
– 5 passages – 35 multiple choice questions
Wed April 3
Day 2/Book 2- no time limit, but plan to complete the test within three periods
-3 passage- 7 multiple choice questions
-7 short responses & 1 extended response (you will have to read and analyze paired texts and write an essay)
About the texts – they will be authentic (already existing articles, essays, stories, poems, etc.) or commissioned (written by test-makers):
3-5 Literary Passages (poetry, fiction, drama)
3-5 Informational Passages (expository, argumentative, instructional, or narrative)
100% of points require close reading; all questions are text-based
50% of score: multiple choice
30% of score: essay (extended response)
20%: short responses
c. Ways to prepare and get support:
-come to Wednesday morning test prep 8:10-8:40
-READ daily; read a range of genres; critically read Upfront articles
-Review notes and handouts on: writing reading responses, incorporating quotations, sentence structure, writing argument essays, writing about fiction, writing about nonfiction, poetry packet, and literary devices
-Be prepared with sharpened #2 pencils, bottle of water, and your own tissues on the days of the test. -Also,have a fueling breakfast, and be on time to school.
d. Miscellaneous:
-General info:https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/learning/testing/ny-state-english-language-arts
-If you are opting out, please email the principal at gstanis2@schools.nyc.gov and print out a letter and hand it in to your homeroom teacher.
If you have any questions, please email me at dgalang@k051.org.
8th Grade ELA Test Strategies
I. Multiple-Choice Questions Strategies
1. Scan the title and text; try to identify genre. This should be quick and automatic.
2. Read questions before reading text (not the answer choices).
3. Read passage and underline evidence that answer the questions.
4. Read the questions carefully. Underline key words.
5. Answer the questions; reread the questions carefully:
a. Think about and answer the question in your head.
b. Read all the answer choices.
c. Use process of elimination.
d. Go back to the text to find evidence that supports the answer.
e. Choose the best answer. Don’t get tricked. Often there is more than one possible answer, but you have to pick the answer that more accurately fulfills each part of the question.
II. Short-Response Questions:
-Read question carefully and unpack it:
-What are they asking you to do? What do you need to include in your answer?
-Underline key words. Use the language of the question in your answer.
-Plan and answer the question:
-1st sentence: answer the question; restate the prompt
-2nd sentence: provide the number of details they are asking you to provide, most likely 2
-3rd sentence: elaborate on evidence and connect back to the answer
To get a 2, you must have:
-Valid inferences and analysis of prompt and text
-Relevant and sufficient details
-Correct, complete sentences
III. Extended Response -
This will take place on day 2 and will involve comparing/contrasting paired texts.
It is a good idea to write the essay first since it is worth 30% of the test.
It is scored out of 4 points. To get a 4, you must:
-Have a compelling introduction
-Demonstrate insightful analysis of texts
-Develop topic with well-chosen evidence
-Clearly and skillfully organize the essay
-Provide a compelling and relevant conclusion
-Demonstrate command of grammar and spelling
Guidelines:
-Read the questions first.
-Read and annotate the texts.
-PLAN the essay by writing a brief outline; decide how you will organize the essay and plan main idea and evidence of each paragraph
-Write the essay.
-Check your work.
Example: Writing an Essay/Extended Response
Compare and contrast Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 with a modern sonnet (choose 1 from packet). What are the most significant similarities and differences? What do these reveal about the significance of the sonnet structure?
In your response, be sure to:
-explain 2 meaningful similarities and 1 difference
-include specific details from both poems
-explain at least 2 reasons the sonnet structure is important
1. Brainstorm - list, web, or chart general ideas:
2. Plan Your Essay: consider planning the body paragraphs first then writing your claim/thesis:
Claim/Thesis:
Topic sentence/main idea 1:
Evidence:
Topic sentence/main idea 2:
Evidence:
Topic sentence/main idea 3:
Evidence:
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