Introduction to Contemporary's Pre-GED & GED

Learning for Life Starter KitPresented by Meagen F. Howe of Farrell Ink

February 2010

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Become familiar with the structure of the Contemporary’s Pre-GED & GED series. Understand the role of the series in theLearning for Life Starter Kit. Look deeper into Pre-GED & GED content. Tips & practice instructional techniques foressay writing, visual literacy, & math.

The goal is in sight.

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Written at grade levels: ◦ 7-8 Pre-GED◦ 9-10+ GED

Targets critical thinking skills & content in all 5 GED subjects

Pre & post test in each book assigns chapters

Cover Content

Bloom’s Taxonomy Non-Fiction Drama Poetry Prose Fiction Timed readings

Cover Content: NSES Standards

Concepts & Processes Science as Inquiry Physical Science Life Science Earth & Space Science Science & Technology Personal & Social

Perspectives History & Nature of

Science

Cover Content

Civics U.S. History World History Interpreting Graphic

Information

Cover Content

Grammar Usage & Mechanics Punctuation Organization Brainstorming Revising

Cover Content

Whole Numbers Simple Operations Problem Solving Alternative Format

Responses Practice with Casio fx-

260 Calculator

Cover Chapters

1. Comprehension2. Application3. Analysis4. Synthesis5. Non-Fiction6. Drama7. Poetry8. Prose Fiction

Instructor Center Student Center

Test Information Correlations Teaching Tips PowerPoint

Presentations Photocopy Masters

GED Practice Test GED Scores Glossary Reading Handbook For each book

chapter:◦ Chapter Overview◦ Chapter Outline◦ Flashcards & Web Links◦ Chapter Review Quiz◦ GED Practice Quiz

Cover Chapters

Concepts & Processes in Science

Comprehending & Applying Science

Analyzing & Evaluating Science & Technology Science in Personal &

Social Perspectives History & Nature of

Science Plant & Animal Science Human Biology Chemistry & Physics Earth & Space Science

Instructor Center Student Center

Test Information Correlations Teaching Tips Web Links

GED Practice Tests GED Scores Glossary Additional Reading For each book chapter:

◦ Chapter Overview◦ Chapter Outline◦ Flashcards◦ Chapter Review Quiz◦ GED Practice Quiz◦ Web Links

Cover Chapters

1. Comprehending SS Materials

2. Applying SS Concepts3. Analyzing SS Materials4. Evaluating SS Materials5. Time, Continuity &

Change6. Places & People7. Power, Authority &

Governance8. Production, Distribution

& Consumption9. Science, Technology &

Society10. Global Connections

Instructor Center Student Center

Test Information Correlations Teaching Tips PowerPoint

Presentations Web Links

GED Practice Test GED Score Glossary Social Studies Readings For each book chapter:

◦ Chapter Overview◦ Chapter Outline◦ Flashcards◦ Chapter Review Quiz◦ GED Practice Quiz◦ Web Links

Cover Chapters

1. Sentence Basics2. Using Verbs3. Combining Sentences4. Organization5. Using Correct Language6. Mechanics7. Test-Taking Strategies8. Preparing for the Essay9. Gathering Your Ideas10. Organizing Your Ideas11. Writing & Revising

Essay12. Review of Writing

Process

Instructor Center Student Center

Test Information Correlations Teaching Tips Essay Scoring Guide Holistic Scoring Sample Essays PowerPoint

Presentations Photocopy Masters Web Links

GED Practice Test Essay Scoring Checklist GED Score Writing Handbook For each book chapter:

◦ Chapter Overview◦ Chapter Outline◦ Flashcards◦ Chapter Review Quiz◦ GED Practice Quiz◦ Web Links

Cover Chapters

1. Whole Numbers2. Word Problems3. Decimals4. Fractions5. Ratio & Proportion6. Percent7. Measurement8. Data Analysis,

Statistics & Probability9. Basic Geometry10. Basic Algebra11. Advanced Topics in

Algebra & Geometry

Instructor Center Student Center

Test Information Correlations Teaching Tips Web Links

GED Practice Test Formulas Alternate Grids Calculator Directions GED Score Glossary Math Handbook For each book chapter:

◦ Chapter Overview◦ Chapter Outline◦ Flashcards◦ Chapter Review Quiz◦ GED Practice Quiz◦ Web Links

Check out our training “Introduction to Online Instructional Materials” for screen shots of these websites…and more! Available at Scribd.com/farrellink

Just part of the puzzle

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Don’t dive alone!

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Ready to test your skills?! Everyone please complete the pre-test

◦ If you finish early, take a sneak preview into one of the Pre-GED or GED books.

Find a partner and exchange your tests Check the test & find the percent correct:

◦ Divide number of questions correct by total number of questions

◦ Move decimal point 2 places to the right◦ >70% = skip the whole book! <70% = review skills◦ Tip: GED Science & SS, 64% is passing

Circle any missed questions on the evaluation chart. Chapters with more than half of the questions missed should be reviewed.

Thoughts? Reflections?

Divide into six groups or less◦ Even number of people in each group, if possible

Each group chooses one Pre-GED / GED book

Choose someone for each role:◦ Orator to read out loud (one book per group)◦ Secretary to take notes◦ Presenter to Teach Back

Together, decide on one or two skills within a chapter to learn more about.

Take 15 minutes to examine the skills & activities in your section looking for:◦ WOW! Something cool to share◦ REAL Something you can apply to real life◦ DEEP Something that you can make into a project

or deeper conversation If you have time, start brainstorming props

or extra activities to explain/practice skills.

Each group gets 2 minutes to share their findings

Rehearse your part

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1. Use proper sentence structure & paragraph organization in an original essay.

2. Visual literacy: interpret graphs, diagrams, charts, cartoons.

3. Multi-step math word problems. Use Casio fx-260 calculator on half of the test.

4. Figure out vocabulary from context clues.5. Bloom’s Taxonomy: comprehend,

compare & contrast, recognize bias, apply given info to given situations, break into components.

“You will have 45 minutes to write on a topic that they will give you. Take 10 minutes to plan the outline of your essay on scrap paper, and 10 minutes at the end to review your essay. Writing every other line will allow you to cross out and make any changes.

The most important thing is to address the topic. You can write the greatest essay in the world, but if it’s not on topic, you won’t pass.

To organize, try using the 5 paragraph essay. A paragraph is at least 2-3 sentences.

The introduction starts general with the topic then gets specific with the main idea.

Then there are three body paragraphs, each with one example or detail supporting the main idea.

The conclusion rephrases the main idea then gets general again. Explain how it relates to the reader. I call this the “Who cares?” paragraph.

You are graded on grammar & spelling, but its balanced by word choice. Don’t say, “I like the beach”; write, “I love the feel of the sand between my toes.” It’s better to use a bigger or better word & spell it wrong than not to try at all.

When you practice writing essays, use a thesaurus to look up new words.

Type your essay on the computer which will underline misspelled words in red. When you misspell a word, practice writing it correctly fifteen times.

But always remember this: write only about the topic they give you!”

What is one important goal you would like to achieve in the next few years?

In your essay, identify that goal. Explain how you plan to achieve it. Use your personal observations, experience and knowledge to support your essay.

From GEDWriting.com, see website for Sample Essays

Score 1-4: can be .5 2 or more in all areas is passing. Total Writing

score is a rubric of Essay vs. Multiple Choice. Grade in 5 areas, take the average of the 5:

◦ Response to the Prompt◦ Organization◦ Development & Details◦ Conventions of Edited American English (EAE)◦ Word Choice

Have at least 2 people read & grade essay, writing their initials & date with the score.

1 2 3 4

Inadequate Marginal Adequate Effective

Response to the Prompt

Does not address prompt.

Focus may shift.

Establishes a main idea.

Clearly focused main idea.

OrganizationDoes not organize.

Some evidence of a plan.

Identifiable organization.

Clear and logical organization.

Development and Details

Little or no development

Vague & lacks specific details.

Uneven development; some specific detail.

Specific and relevant details and examples.

Conventions of Edited American English

No sentence structure, little EAE.

Inconsistent use of EAE.

Some sentence structure & EAE.

Consistently uses EAE.

Word ChoiceWeak or incorrect words.

Narrow range of word choice.

Exhibits appropriate word choice.

Varied and precise word choice.

In the words of my Art History Professor: “Get stupid. Tell me what you see.” Anything printed in a test or book deals with some past

issue. Connect to today’s news at:http://cagle.com/politicalcartoons/

GED Question from GEDScience.com: “Which of the following correctly explains the flow of blood through the heart?”

1. USE THE CASIO CALCULATOR! Many students fail the timed test because they used the calculator incorrectly or not at all.

2. MULTI-STEP WORD PROBLEMS.If a = 2 and b = 3, find the value of 1/a – 1/b + 1/ab

3. READ GRAPHS & CHARTS: The best way to read them is to make them & then present them. This also builds 21st century skills.

1. Line graphs, pie charts, & coordinate planes.

Divide into pairs. Role play: one person as student, other

person as tutor. Choose one instructional technique. Tutor

introduce it to student:◦ GED Essay: Sample Topic◦ Visual Literacy: Political Cartoon◦ GED Math: Multi-Step Word Problem

Switch roles and choose a new activity.

True/False Every students whose primary goal is to earn a GED should first study the Pre-GED & GED books.

Pre-GED is written at reading level:◦ 5-6 7-8 9-10

Which books have the online supplements for each chapter, Pre-GED or GED?

True/False Pre-GED & GED books overlap with the Challenger Reading series.

True/False Students should complete every chapter in a Pre-GED or GED book.

False. It may not be at the appropriate reading level.

7-8 GED True. Challenger 6-8 have some overlap

with Pre-GED & GED in reading & writing. False. Pre or Post test evaluation will assign

chapters based on skills to target.

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God, thank you for the mustard seed although it is so small.God, thank you for the plant that grows up largest of them

all.God, thank you for the birds that sing in branches that reach

wide.God, thank you for the words you teach while walking by my

side.God, give us love and strength to meet each other’s human

need.God, bury me to rise again just like the mustard seed.

AMEN

We hope this is enough to get you started using the Contemporary’s Pre-GED & GED series!

This training is FREE! If you would like to support our ongoing work, please donate to the West Side Catholic Center with the memo: “Sullivan Learning for Life Program.”◦ 3135 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113◦ (216) 631-4741, ask for Susan Ertle at x132