The pressure is on and we can feel it! The kids are working on silent sustained reading while using strategies to keep it active. The comments/questions for each page will lend themselves to a Socratic discussion of the chapter in Catching Fire. It is the chapter that makes me SO ANGRY at Katniss, and what happens to Gale is just... well, you'll see.
We will continue to work independently as well to boost our students' stamina for the long test days ahead. 7th grade has a lot of to deal with - writing as well as reading skills are being more closely assessed, but I think the kids have a great handle on what it takes to get great scores.
Long Write requires planning and creativity - don't forget to use the first hour to write down everything you can think of about the prompt and the topic! Connect personally, tell a story, make lists, write an expanded moment! The second hour is all about organization and creativity - add great figurative language, make sure it makes sense from beginning to end, and don't forget a common sense conclusion that addresses the prompt!
The Reading Comps requires close reading skills and we've been working on those all year long! Read your questions before you even get close to the selection, look for your detractors in your multiple choice selections, and take your time. On open responses, be sure to include your GAT with your thesis that addresses the prompt, ICE your evidence with examples from the text and explanations, and add a common sense conclusion! Don't forget the conclusion!!!
I am confident in all of you! You show me how smart you are every day! Now let's show those MCAS professors what we've got!!
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