Getting Ready for the MCA

Simple tips to prepare your students for this exciting event!

Test Format

• Students will be asked to read five –eight articles and answer two types of questions:– Mutliple choice– Constructed Response

Pair Share

• Turn to a person next to you and tell them everything you know about the constructed response prompts.

Constructed Response Questions

The state is only looking for evidence that the student comprehended the text. This means:* they may use a t-chart, bullets, summary statement to answer the question. * they do not have to answer in a formal essay. * they may not use prior knowledge. Only information found in the passage can be included in student answers.* students do not need to answer in complete sentences

Constructed Response Questions

• Students should never erase their prewriting.

• Historically students have scored low on compare and contrast items. Directly teach this and give them lots of practice. – They could compare skittles to m and ms– Skiing to snowboarding– Fourth grade to fifth grade

Constructed Response

• Show students examples of students who answered the question completely.

• Good student samples are found on the Department of Education website.

Consider Making a Word Wall• These are words that are used in the test:• Traits• Qualities• Compare and contrast• Evidence• Sequence• Stanza• Line• Verse• Poem and poet • Infer • Point of view• Support• Figurative language• Simile• Metaphor

Apply it!

• Choose a word from the list

• Create a visual cue to help students remember

More Word Wall Ideas

• Mind Reader

• Hot Seat

• Koosh ball review

• Word Jar

Draw a visual that goes along with the word to help students remember the meaning.

Skills Tested

• Define words

• Retell ideas

• Identify main ideas

• Summarize and paraphrase main idea

• Answer literal and inferential questions

• Draw conclusions

• Interpret figurative language

Try the PRIDE strategy

• Preview the article

• Read the questions

• Interpret the questions ( star those that are literal or “right there” questions)

• Dissect the article

• Evaluate the questions and choose an answer.

Use the Unit and End of Year Benchmark Tests

• These give excellent practice in answering both literal and inferential questions.

• Ask students to use the PRIDE strategy and have them go back and prove it to show where they go their information.

Gradual Release of Responsibility

• Try this model– I do- Read Aloud and think aloud your

responses to a passage.

– We do- Have students partner read and go through the PRIDE strategy.

– You do- Have students take a practice passage independently.

Final thoughts

• Good teaching is the best test preparation there is!

• Let me know if you need resources. I can be reached at hewillman@rochester.k12.mn.us