INTRODUCTION TO THE OSSLT (FORMAT OF THE TEST ; LANGUAGE & KEY WORDS)

Lesson #1

ARE YOU READY FOR THE LITERACY

TEST?

AFTER THIS WEEK YOU WILL BE!

About the test All grade 10 students (and second time writers)

will write the literacy test on Thursday March 26 @ 8:30 a.m.

You must pass the test in order to graduate If you do not pass the test you can re-write the

test or take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course

Our goal is to prepare you well so that you will be successful on your first try- you need to take this seriously!

About the test continued

The OSSLT is a provincial test of literacy (reading and writing) skills students have acquired by Grade 10. It is based on the literacy skills expected in The Ontario Curriculum across all subject areas up to the end of Grade 9.

About the test continued The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) has

reading and writing activities The questions can be: multiple choice, short writing

tasks and long writing tasks You will also write a News Report and a Series of

Paragraphs (an essay) There are two booklets Each booklet is 75 minutes long You will have a 15 minute break in between booklets We provide you with a drink and snack during the

break!!

Teachers please handout Booklet 1 Questions and Booklet 1 Answers

NEW LAYOUT for 2015 Each Booklet comes

with QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

You will record ALL your answers in the ANSWERS BOOKLET.

Don’t write anything in the QUESTIONS book- it will not be marked!

You have 75 minutes for Booklet 1 and then you will have a 15 minute break

Class step by step review of the booklets

1) Take a few minutes to look at the sample Booklet 1 QUESTIONS and the sample Booklet 1 ANSWERS. Look at how the two books are organized.

Reminder- for Booklet 1 you only write in the ANSWERS booklet.

Class step by step review of the booklets continued 2) As a class follow

along with the INSTRUCTIONS on the Booklet 1 QUESTIONS book. Your teacher will read these to you. (Ignore the part that says check the identification numbers- the identification number will be at the top of the page for the REAL test)

Your sample does not have a bar code- but the real test will

Class step by step review of the booklets continued 3) As a class

follow along with the INSTRUCTIONS on the Booklet 1 ANSWERS book. Your teacher will read these to you.

Your sample does not have a bar code- but the real test will

NEW LAYOUT for 2015 After the break

on the test day you will be given Booklet 2- QUESTION and ANSWERS

Again- a reminder to only write in the ANSWERS BOOK

See it says Booklet 2- we are not giving you booklet 2 examples today

Student Activity

Read Section A Reading: An Animator from Scarborough on page 2 in the QUESTIONS Booklet.

Answers the Multiple Choice Questions (#1-5) and Open Response Question (#6) on page 2 in the ANSWERS Booklet.

Your teacher will take up the answers in a few minutes.

Section A Reading: Answers

1. C 2. F 3. A 4. H 5. B

6. Open response answers will vary. With a partner review your answer and provide each other with feedback. Be sure to look for specific examples from the reading to support the answer.

Language and Key Words on the Test

Teachers please handout the EQAO Key Words sheet (large ledger handout)

Let’s look at some Key Words/Terms

You will be asked to compare, define, describe, determine, explain, identify... etc.

In this lesson we will review what these key words mean

It is very important that you read the questions on the literacy test carefully to be sure you are doing what is asked

Compare means…….

To identify what is the same To explain the difference between two or

more things TIP: Include examples that show how the

things are similar or different in one or more important ways

DEFINE!!!!!

Define means…..

To state the meaning of the word or phrase being defined

TIP: The response should include the meaning and

enough detail to distinguish its meaning from similar words or phrases.

DESCRIBE

Describe means…

Use words to create a mental picture of what is being described for the reader

TIP: The response must give the characteristics

and key features of what is being described in an organized manner

DETERMINE!!!

Determine means…

To show a solution to a problem using logical reasoning or mathematics

EXPLAIN

Explain means….

Provide specific and relevant supporting details

TIP: Show the link between the explanation and

the idea or point being explained

IDENTIFY

Identify means….

To provide the name of a person, place or thing, or for a reason

TIP: The response must use information from the

reading selection

JUSTIFY

Justify means…

To give reasons, evidence and/or calculations to show why an answer, argument or conclusion is correct

PREDICT

Predict means….

To identify what may happen based on the information provided in the reading selection or mathematical question

Predict means….

To identify what may happen based on the information provided in the reading selection or mathematical question

SUMMARIZE

To Summarize means….

To concisely identify the main idea and give relevant, supporting details from the original text

USE YOUR IDEAS

!!

To Use Your Own Ideas to support your answer means….

To include your prior knowledge and experience of the topic from the reading selection to develop the main idea of the answer

LIST

List Your Information means….

To include information in point form

List Your Information means….

To include information in point form

STUDENT ACTIVITY: Matching Key Words

1) Complete OSSLT- Getting to Know Key Words Section A: Matching on the ledger size handout.

Your teacher will take the answers up as a class in a few minutes.

STUDENT ACTIVITY: Matching Answers

1. Compare __G__ 2. Define __F__ 3. Describe __A__ 4. Determine __B__ 5. Explain __H__ 6. Identify __E__ 7. Justify __C__ 8. Predict __I__ 9. Summarize __J__ 10. Use Your Ideas __K__ 11. List __D__

STUDENT ACTIVITY: Open Response 2) Complete the Section IX: Reading and then

answer questions 6 and 7 on the ledger size handout provided. Look at the rubric on the next slide to see how you

are marked for these questions. The highest mark you can get for each questions is 30

Once you have reviewed the rubric write your answers to 6 and 7 on the

handout sheet.

Question # 6

Let’s look at some sample answers and how they were scored.

The highest score is a 30.

Question # 7

Let’s look at some sample answers and how they were scored.

The highest score is a 30.

Thank you for your attention and participation!

If you would like a copy of this PowerPoint you can visit www.bcssonline.com for all the materials used for each OSSLT preparation lesson.

Please keep your sample booklets. You will need these booklets for the OSSLT Prep lessons each day this week.