LITERACY HACKS 101 HOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE OSSLT

SO WHY ARE WE HERE? Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test On-line October 20 th 2016 Why is it so important for high school students? *A requirement for graduation* Eastview – Reputation for Success! We’re here to help you beat EQAO (Tips, Tricks, Catch Phrases) What do we need from you today? F-O-C-U-S Positive Attitude Be here…today and test day!

WHAT IS ON THE TEST? Session II Series of Paragraphs (AKA Opinion Piece) Writing: 4 question Reading: 9 questions Reading: 7 questions Writing: 1 question Reading: 6 questions Session 1 Reading: 6 questions Writing: 5 questions Reading: 5 questions Writing: 1 question Writing a News Report: 1 question Reading: 7 questions You have 75 minutes to complete each session

WRITING A NEWS REPORT

LITERACY HACKS FOR THE NEWS REPORT Have plan Use the 5 Ws and an H (Who, what, where, why, when and how) (hint: make it up in your head) Use the headline in your report Use a date (hint: use the OSSLT date) Name the school (hint: use Eastview Secondary as your school) Provide a quote (hint: Principal Seymour said, “providing students with a voice in the school through elections is very important.”)

EXAMPLE:

SERIES OF PARAGRAPHS (OPINION PIECE)

1. Have an opinion! LITERACY HACKS FOR THE OPINION PIECE

2. Have a plan! Think three SEEECs and you are done Statement Example, Evidence, Explanation Conclusion x 3

2. Include an introduction and conclusion paragraph - use your plan as a guide 3. Think: FIRST, NEXT, LASTLY, ALSO, THEREFORE, CLEARLY

YOU TRY Question: Are cell phones necessary in the lives of teenagers? What is your opinion? What are three arguments supporting your opinion? What are three pieces of evidence that you can use to support your argument? What is your introduction? What is your conclusion? (Hint: Can be exactly the same just add “In conclusion” at the beginning of the first sentence)

(In my head, YES!) S Cell phones are important for communication. E Firstly, I need my cell phone to call my parents when I need a ride home from my friend’s house. E Secondly, I use my cell phone to let my work know if I am going to be late. E Lastly, I like to use my cell phone to text my friends and let them know what the plans are for the weekend. C Clearly, these are all important ways that I use my cell phone for communication. EXAMPLE:

SERIES OF PARAGRAPHS: EXEMPLAR – CODE 60

MULTIPLE CHOICE READING QUESTIONS

MULTIPLE CHOICE WRITING (GRAMMAR)

LITERACY HACKS FOR MULTIPLE CHOICE No Blanks Always two that seem right….take your best guess Say the question out loud in your head

WRITING SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

ANOTHER SHORT WRITING EXAMPLE

LITERACY HACKS FOR SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS Use the question in your answer It is appropriate to describe this map as a treasure because….. Use details from the text Read the question ie: one detail or supporting details If details remember SEEEC! Use transition words An example, another example, a final example

RANDOM ACTS OF WRITING

LITERACY HACKS FOR RANDOM ACTS OF WRITING Remember SEEEC ! Make a plan Use the question in your answer

GRAPHIC TEXT

LITERACY HACKS FOR GRAPHIC TEXTS Where is Waldo? No blanks The answer is on the page Use your slider task bars Use your highlighter

WHEN YOU ARE DONE OR ARE YOU?

WHAT’S NEXT Every Period 2 grade 10 class and previously eligible students will get an opportunity to practice on-line Want a head start? Go to Another set of assemblies to explain how the OSSLT on-line test day will run (ie: times, writing locations) Got questions, please feel free to ask your teacher or come and see me

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