HSPA Language Arts

The HSPA is an exam administered statewide in March to high school juniors. It is designed to test our students’ proficiencies in Mathematics and Language Arts. A passing score of 200 in each section is necessary for graduation.

The Language Arts Literacy (LAL) Section of the HSPA is divided into two cluster areas. Each of these clusters reflects knowledge and skills specified in New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Content Standards.

I. Writing   Writing in response to a Photograph Time: 30 minutes Task: Students will view a photograph and will be asked to describe what is happening or speculate concerning what the story is about.

What story does this picture tell? POSSIBLE PICTURE PROMPT What story does this picture tell?

???Can your imagination reach its full potential on this picture???

TIPS FOR THE PICTURE PROMPT 1. Speculate means “to guess.” Use your imagination and experiences to tell a story or describe what is happening. 2. Organize essay into a three-paragraph story: a beginning, middle and end or a before, during and after. 3. Write about mood, people, objects, events, messages revealed using precise words. 4. Try to relate the picture to any story, novel, television show, or movie you have seen. 5. Revise and edit your story using the Writer’s Checklist. 6. Use dialogue within your story and end with a theme! 7. Never begin with, ‘In this Picture’ or ‘This picture is about.’

B. Writing to Persuade Time: 60 minutes Task: Students will write in response to a current controversy related to an interpersonal, school/community, or societal issue. This piece of writing may be required to be in the form of a letter, a formal essay, an editorial, or a speech.

Practice Essay Topic The Parsippany High School School Board is thinking about requiring all students to wear school uniforms. This new policy will begin in the fall of 2005. Your Social Studies teacher has asked you to write an essay either supporting or opposing this proposal. Make sure to use facts, and examples.

“BUILDING” YOUR ESSAY

Brainstorm ideas and examples for your essay

PROS- for school uniforms CONS- against uniforms saves time getting ready in the morning stops kids from expressing themselves eliminates inappropriate & revealing clothes costs money to buy uniforms uniforms are uncomfortable prevents gang symbols in the real world, people don’t all dress the same makes everyone equal; eliminates kids being picked on gives them a sense of pride; makes them responsible makes students recognizable

NOW, YOU ARE READY TO PLAN YOUR ESSAY NOW, CHOOSE THE STRONGER SIDE OF THE Argument BASED ON THE PROS AND CONS THAT YOU GENERATED. THEN, CHOOSE THE THREE BEST EXAMPLES. EACH EXAMPLE WILL BE A BODY PARAGRAPH FOR YOUR ESSAY. NOW, YOU ARE READY TO PLAN YOUR ESSAY

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING YOUR ESSAY

INTRODUCTION CONCLUSION 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS 1. Rephrase thesis 2. Review three examples Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 (average one) (weakest one) (best one!) Topic sentence Support details Topic sentence Support details Topic sentence Support details 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS INTRODUCTION State thesis and preview three main examples

HERE IS A SAMPLE PLANNING HOUSE BASED ON THE USE OF SCHOOL UNIFORMS

CONCLUSION 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS 2. Review three body paragraphs 1. Uniforms will improve our school in many ways “Okay” Example Weakest Example Best Example Reduce inappropriate clothes Create a sense of pride in students Eliminate students being picked on 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS 1. Thesis: School uniforms are a good way to help PHS. 2. Preview: eliminate inappropriate clothes, reduce student mockery, create a sense of pride

Writing Your Introduction

Sample Thesis Statements: Your Thesis states the main point of your paper. It lets the reader know what point you are trying to make. Sample Thesis Statements: School uniforms are a good way to help PHS. By requiring school uniforms, PHS will improve the entire school. PHS should require all of its students to wear uniforms. The use of mandatory uniforms will make PHS a better place.

PREVIEWING YOUR THREE MAIN POINTS 2. Create a sense of pride in students 3. Eliminate students being picked on 1. Reduce inappropriate clothes Examples: The use of school uniforms will reduce the amount of inappropriate clothes in the school, create a sense of pride in the building, and eliminate students being picked on for their clothes. (In one sentence) School uniforms will reduce the amount of inappropriate clothes. It will also create a sense of pride in the building. Last, the number of students being picked on for their clothes will be lower. (In three, separate sentences)

THE “ROOMS” OF YOUR HOUSE BODY PARAGRAPHS THE “ROOMS” OF YOUR HOUSE

START EACH BODY PARAGRAPH WITH A TOPIC SENTENCE School uniforms will reduce the amount of inappropriate clothes that students wear. (Now, take 4-5 sentences to explain how uniforms will get rid of inappropriate clothes…..) By requiring that all student wear uniforms, the school can control what is worn in the building. Uniforms will eliminate shirts with references to drugs and alcohol. Clothes with abusive or foul language will also be prevented. In addition, they will also make sure that revealing clothes are no longer worn.

NOW, PUT YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE AND YOUR 4-5 SENTENCES OF EXPLANATION TOGETHER AND YOU HAVE A….. BODY PARAGRAPH! School uniforms will reduce the amount of inappropriate clothes that students wear. By requiring that all student wear uniforms, the school can control what is worn in the building. Uniforms will eliminate shirts with references to drugs and alcohol. Clothes with abusive or foul language will also be prevented. In addition, they will also make sure that revealing clothes are no longer worn.

Not bad. But how can you improve this paragraph? CLOSING SENTENCE! Try a…. School uniforms will reduce the amount of inappropriate clothes that students wear. By requiring that all student wear uniforms, the school can control what is worn in the building. Uniforms will eliminate shirts with references to drugs and alcohol. Clothes with abusive or foul language will also be prevented. In addition, they will also make sure that revealing clothes are no longer worn. In the end, uniforms will make sure that all of the clothes being worn are appropriate for school.

WRITING YOUR CONCLUSION “PUTTING ON THE ROOF!”

WRITING YOUR CONCLUSION STEP ONE: REPHRASE YOUR THESIS School uniforms are a good way to help PHS. becomes…. The use of mandatory uniforms will make PHS a better place.

STEP TWO: REVIEW YOUR 3 MAIN POINTS School uniforms will reduce the amount of inappropriate clothes. It will also create a sense of pride in the building. Last, the amount of students being picked on for their clothes will be lower. Rephrase into new sentences: In conclusion, school uniforms will discourage inappropriate clothes and make students proud of their school. They will also remove the outside differences between students so they can get along better.

READING SECTION  A. Reading/Narrative Text Time: 50 minutes Task: Students will read a previously published narrative story and answer 10 multiple- choice questions and 2 open-ended questions.  

READING SECTION B. Reading/Persuasive Text Time: 45 minutes Task: Students will read a persuasive piece from a previously published text. They will then answer 10 multiple choice and 2 open-ended questions.

Answering Language Arts Literacy Multiple Choice Questions   1. Each question is worth one point.   2. You are not penalized for guessing. Do not leave an answer blank. 3. Try to eliminate incorrect choices to help select the best answer.

Answering Reading Open-ended Questions (3 paragraphs) 1. Reword the question to create your topic sentence. This helps you to focus and lets the scorer know what you are writing about. 2. Make sure to write 4-6 sentences in each paragraph including supporting sentences from the two bullets. 3. Close your open-ended response with a concluding sentence similar to your topic sentence. 4. Use information and examples from the text. 5. Even if you can’t answer completely, make an attempt. 6. These questions are scored from 0-4 points. Therefore, a partial answer can earn you some points.