How to Do Your Best on the End of Grade Test!  

By Marc WoodIllustrated by: ______________

Children will learn proven life-long reading strategies through a fun and engaging story.Includes fun and easy activities to promote good reading habit.

Reading Acceptance

Whatever you want to be or where ever you want to go in life you will have to read at some point in your journey. In order to experience true fulfillment and success, you must accept the importance of learning how to read well.

“Good readers don’t just need to read well one time, good readers need to read well every time.” – EOG Whiz Kid

Have you ever been so scared you fell out of bed?Or wanted to hide by putting nachos on your head?

If so, you’re not alone! I’m afraid I must protest:I too am terrified…

of a scary, super-long, stinky old test!

Fact:

Good readers do not take a magic pill or learn a cool trick in order to read well.

Good readers work hard and use multiple strategies to understand content they read for school, life, and pleasure.

Fact:

Good readers do not take a magic pill or learn a cool trick in order to read well.

Good readers work hard and use multiple strategies to understand content they read for school, life, and pleasure.

This test takes many forms and has many names.It’s like a perfect storm that doesn’t play games.Unfortunately, this test is one you must pass…

or else stay back in the same old class.

When Taking a Test

Great readers create good reading habit:

Always stop, think, and process before, during, and after reading, especially when taking a test.

Step One: Become a great pre-reader.

When Taking a Test

Great readers create good reading habit:

Always stop, think, and process before, during, and after reading, especially when taking a test.

Step One: Become a great pre-reader.

I’m so worried! Should I hide by moving out West?Or maybe to the moon, away from this huge pest?

Pre-reading Tip #1

Be focused. Clear your mind of anything other than the passage. Close your eyes then take five deep breathes before beginning to read. Now imagine you are taking the test relaxed and with ease. Begin when you are focused and ready.

Pre-reading Tip #1

Be focused. Clear your mind of anything other than the passage. Close your eyes then take five deep breathes before beginning to read. Now imagine you are taking the test relaxed and with ease. Begin when you are focused and ready.

I’m sure you’ve heard… it’s called the END OF GRADE TEST!

Pre-reading Tip #2

Write down one of your personal goals or dreams somewhere on your paper. Connect what you are doing today with your future goals.

Pre-reading Tip #2

Write down one of your personal goals or dreams somewhere on your paper. Connect what you are doing today with your future goals.

My teacher always says,“You know any big test is usually not easy.

You’ll have to work hard, but there’s no need to feel queasy.

Pre-reading Tip #3

Get organized! Good readers have their materials laid out neatly.

Pre-reading Tip #3

Get organized! Good readers have their materials laid out neatly.

At the beginning of the year we planted reading seeds.Now we’re keeping up the work by pulling out the weeds,

so by the end of the year we can stand tall and cheer!”

Pre-reading Tip #4

Good readers always preview a selection before reading.

1) Read the title2) Predict what the selection will be about.

Pre-reading Tip #4

Good readers always preview a selection before reading.

1) Read the title2) Predict what the selection will be about.

Plan. Strategies. Seeds. Weeds.What does all this mean?

I must find out so I can beat this tricky EOG.

Pre-reading Tip #5

Do a picture walk. Glance over each picture and ask yourself, “How does this picture connect to the title?”

Pre-reading Tip #5

Do a picture walk. Glance over each picture and ask yourself, “How does this picture connect to the title?”

Push-ups and sit-ups may do the trick…How strong must I be for this info to stick?

Pre-reading Tip #6

Determine if the selection is fiction or nonfiction?

Fiction = fakeNonfiction = not fake

Pre-reading Tip #6

Determine if the selection is fiction or nonfiction?

Fiction = fakeNonfiction = not fake

60 – 80 questions… Do I know how to bubble? Or will my paper look like a giant pile of rubble?

Pre-reading Tip #7

Good readers try to predict the author’s purpose for writing the selection from the title, pictures, genre, style, or font. It’s easy as PIEE!

Authors Write to… P= Persuade

I = InformE = EntertainE = Explain

Pre-reading Tip #7

Good readers try to predict the author’s purpose for writing the selection from the title, pictures, genre, style, or font. It’s easy as PIEE!

Authors Write to… P= Persuade

I = InformE = EntertainE = Explain

I’m scared to fail and beginning to look pale.

It’s going to be tough and long. What if I get too many wrong?

Pre-reading Tip #8

Read all the questions first. This will help you identify answers while reading. You can also highlight, underline, or write down important words from each question.

Pre-reading Tip #8

Read all the questions first. This will help you identify answers while reading. You can also highlight, underline, or write down important words from each question.

Score! An older kid just told me his plan: “I just keep bubbling a-b-c.

Or sometimes, I’ll form the bubbles in the shape of a tree.”

Step Two: Stay Focused During Reading

Good readers always stop, think, and process while reading too. Don’t be overwhelmed! Find one or two during reading strategies that work for you and stick with them so you don’t get confused.

Step Two: Stay Focused During Reading

Good readers always stop, think, and process while reading too. Don’t be overwhelmed! Find one or two during reading strategies that work for you and stick with them so you don’t get confused.

Sure, taking the test without trying would be nice,but then again this kid has taken every grade twice.

During Reading Tip #1

Take notes. After reading a paragraph, stop, think, and process by writing down key words or words you see most often in order to determine the main idea .

During Reading Tip #1

Take notes. After reading a paragraph, stop, think, and process by writing down key words or words you see most often in order to determine the main idea .

Wait! I have another plan! I’ll be sick, the day of the test, or better yet, I’ll forget to wake up.

Sounds great until my big brother tells me about dreaded make-ups.

During Reading Tip #2

After every paragraph stop and think about what you just read. Then write it down in the margins. What’s the main idea? What’s the character doing or feeling? How’s the selection changing from beginning to end?

During Reading Tip #2

After every paragraph stop and think about what you just read. Then write it down in the margins. What’s the main idea? What’s the character doing or feeling? How’s the selection changing from beginning to end?

Tick tock tick. I’m running out of time.My choices are to give up, or cross that finish line.

Why not just take the challenge? What do I have to lose?Sure it’ll be tough, but if I pass I’ll get to choosefrom all the possibilities I could grow up to be

then take advantage of everything life can offer me!

During Reading Tip #3

While reading, highlight or underline words you see most often, important words, or words that have similar meanings . These words will most likely appear in many of the questions and answers.

During Reading Tip #3

While reading, highlight or underline words you see most often, important words, or words that have similar meanings . These words will most likely appear in many of the questions and answers.

No point in complaining, and no sense in being scared.Time to focus on the tools that’ll help me be prepared.

During Reading Tip #4

Context clues – These clues can really help you out while reading, but you must be a good detective to find them.

If you don’t know what a word means, look at nearby words and pictures to help you determine the meaning of the unknown word.

During Reading Tip #4

Context clues – These clues can really help you out while reading, but you must be a good detective to find them.

If you don’t know what a word means, look at nearby words and pictures to help you determine the meaning of the unknown word.

Well tomorrow’s the big day. Am I ready? Do I have a solid plan?Am I one year closer to being all that I can?

During Reading Tip #5

Reading is rereading, and that’s o.k.: Rereading doesn’t mean you are not smart : It means you’re a good reader.

Good readers reread because they need to let what they just read sink in: They have to process it.

After every paragraph or stop and ask yourself what you just read. If you can’t say what you just read, then READ IT AGAIN. It’s that simple!

During Reading Tip #5

Reading is rereading, and that’s o.k.: Rereading doesn’t mean you are not smart : It means you’re a good reader.

Good readers reread because they need to let what they just read sink in: They have to process it.

After every paragraph or stop and ask yourself what you just read. If you can’t say what you just read, then READ IT AGAIN. It’s that simple!

Think positively. I mean, how hard can it be? Anyway, it’s way too late to pack up and flee.

Time to settle down and get some rest so I am ready to try hard and do my best.

Step Three: Be Thoughtful After Reading

These next tips will help you seal the deal. Again just be sure to stop, think, and process after reading too!

This is the moment you have been waiting for…GO answer the questions!

Step Three: Be Thoughtful After Reading

These next tips will help you seal the deal. Again just be sure to stop, think, and process after reading too!

This is the moment you have been waiting for…GO answer the questions!

As I walk out my door mom says to me once more, “Just use your strategies!” As if I haven’t heard that before.

After Reading Tip #1

Prove you are right by pointing to, underlining, highlighting, or circling your answers in the selection. This strategy works best for answers you can find easily in a selection.

You will need to reread certain parts of the section in order to make sure your proof answers the question.

After Reading Tip #1

Prove you are right by pointing to, underlining, highlighting, or circling your answers in the selection. This strategy works best for answers you can find easily in a selection.

You will need to reread certain parts of the section in order to make sure your proof answers the question.

I’m in my seat and waiting.Here comes the test and answer sheet.

In a few hours I’ll be stating:“I faced this quest without defeat!”

Closing my eyes I shun away any silly schemes. I can do this - it’s not as bad as it seems.

You may begin After Reading Tip #2

For really hard questions that seem to have two right answers, be a detective to pick the correct one. Look for words you see most often or words from the question that are similar to words in the selection .

The best answer will always have more of the selection or paragraph supporting it.

After Reading Tip #2

For really hard questions that seem to have two right answers, be a detective to pick the correct one. Look for words you see most often or words from the question that are similar to words in the selection .

The best answer will always have more of the selection or paragraph supporting it.

All done.

After Reading Tip #3

Use what you know to figure out what you don’t, just make sure what you know is accurate and connects to what you need to answer. Experts and great readers always use their background knowledge .

After Reading Tip #3

Use what you know to figure out what you don’t, just make sure what you know is accurate and connects to what you need to answer. Experts and great readers always use their background knowledge .

Now the waiting game begins. I anxiously wait for my score.Did I grow enough to earn a place through my new teacher’s door?

After Reading Tip #4Talk to the question: Good readers always take their time and talk to the question in order to understand what or how it wants them to answer. Try rereading, chuncking, or restating the question so you can understand what it wants you to figure out.

I did it! I passed! And it wasn’t half bad.

Do you want to hear an awesome strategy that’s nothing like a fad?If you want to find the answers you need

stop, think, and process before, during, and after you read.Oh and don’t forget the other strategies you learned from the past -

they help you gain confidence, focus, and don’t go to fast.

You know, I hear there are many more tests looming behind other school walls.But have no fear! If you get scared, you know who to call.

GOOD LUCK MY FRIENDS! Look!

It’s math! Its reading! No…

It’s EOG Wiz Kid!

More Before, During, and After Reading StrategiesBefore Reading Strategies•Number your paragraphs •Identify any paragraphs that are already numbered as they will likely have a question related to them.•Good readers will also restate each question by determining what each question is asking.

During Reading Strategies•Prefix and suffix connections•Make connections to the text while reading•Stop, think, and write after reading the width of your four fingers.•Don’t skip through the text… read everything on every page!

After Reading Strategies•Confirm your predictions. Were your predictions right or wrong before reading the selection? Wrong predictions are o.k. as long as you know they were wrong.•Cross off any wrong answers then circle the best one. •Don’t forget to check your work… make sure each answer matches each question better than all the other answer choices.

Helpful Ideas to Help Students Apply These Strategies in Their LivesIt Takes Three Weeks to Create a Habit so do the following…

• Practice makes perfect. Please don’t force or teach all these Strategies all at once or the day before the test. Children need to practice these strategies all year long. • This same outline pertains to any book as well. • Use this book as a teaching tool. Go through the strategies with your child or students. • Let students make an EOG crown.• Create a comprehension test.• Make a family feud, jeopardy, or smartboard game• ESL parents can teach from this…. Because they don’t need to know how to read English they need to make sure their children are using good reading habit.• If you think these strategies are to easy... then great... you are on your way to become a more effective reader.• If you feel like you are doing these strategies and they are not working then look at what you are reading in more detail ask yourself what is holding you back from reading better.• Make connections… why are you good at football? Apply that mentality to reading.• Play the reading game… not underlining little words and Underlining importants that connect to each other.• Grade for reading habit – Double the score for any reading assignment. Students should always be underlining, proving their answer, writing in margins, and crossing off wrong answers. • Play good reading habit bingo

Conclusion… "There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." — Colin Powell