ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL LITERACY TEST (OSSLT) THURSDAY, MARCH 29 TH, 2012 OSSLT Student Assembly

Mark the date on your calendar… The only opportunity for students to write the OSSLT is on: Thursday, March 29 th, 2012 There will not be another opportunity for students to write the OSSLT until April 2013.

Test Length ActivityAllotted Time Booklet One* (Reading and Writing) 75 minutes Break15 minutes Booklet Two* (Reading and Writing) 75 minutes Student Questionnaire10 minutes

Schedule for March 29 th : OSSLT Day ActivityTime OSSLT8: :00 Common lunch 12:00 – 1:15 Alternative educational activity 1:15 – 2:30

DETAILED SCHEDULE This detailed schedule for the day is available on our school website! It also went home in a letter to your parents last week. GRADE 10 8:30 – 8:45 Opening Exercises 8:45 – 9:00 Instructions for OSSLT Booklet #1 9:00 – 10:15 OSSLT Booklet #1 10:15 – 10:30 Break 10:30 – 10:35 Instructions for Booklet #2 10:35 – 11:50 OSSLT Booklet #2 11:50 – 12:00 Questionnaire 12:00 – 1:15 Lunch 1:15 – 2:30 Period 4

Test Room Locations Do you know the location of your test room? A list of test rooms is posted on the wall outside the main office, the library, and in guidance. If you think you should write the OSSLT and your name is not on the list, please contact Mrs. Wilson in the English Department immediately.

Before you arrive… It is recommended that students use the bathroom facilities before the test or during the scheduled break. Students will not receive additional time to make up for time lost due to a bathroom break.

Punctuality & Attendance Students are to arrive at their test room by 8:30 a.m. Students who arrive late will not be granted additional time to compensate for their late arrival. Test instructions will not be repeated.

Student Behaviour All students are expected to respect the administration of the OSSLT. There is to be no discussion between students. Inappropriate student behaviour, that will jeopardize any student’s ability to complete the OSSLT, will be documented and reported. EQAO will report to the Principal any offensive language and/or graphics recorded in the test booklets.

Uniform Policy Students are required to be in complete uniform when they arrive at their test room. Any personal belongings, including coats, that are brought into the room will be placed at the front of the room. Students may bring only bottled water into the test room.

Writing Instruments Sharpened HB pencils (for bubbling multiple-choice questions) Eraser Black or blue ink pens or pencils (for written answers) Highlighter to highlight important keywords in the tasks

Electronic Devices The use of cell-phones, audio- or video-recording devices, pagers, digital music players or any e- mail or text-messaging devices during the OSSLT is prohibited. Their use during the OSSLT may result in no score being provided.

Test Package Numbers Upon entering the test room, you will be directed to sit at a desk that is labelled with your name and has your test package. Before you begin the test, you will be asked to check that the same final 12-digits of the Test Package Number are listed on all test materials.

Budgeting Time All students must remain in the test room until the end of each test session. Use the full 75 minutes provided to review answers.

Reminders… Do not leave any blanks. Blank responses will be scored as zero. Attempt all questions. If you are ABSENT you will be scored a FAILING MARK. If you know you will be away that day, please tell Mrs. Wilson as soon as possible.

Various Sections of the Test MULTIPLE CHOICE: -read the passage twice if you have to -select the answer that is the most correct -read the questions first and circle key words -do not skip any questions (if you do not know an answer, come back to it, and if all else fails, make an educated guess) -highlight and underline key words or phrases in the passage -read the questions CAREFULLY!!

SHORT WRITING TASK: -Make sure that you: -stay on topic -write in the format requested (full sentences) -draw on your own experience in responding to the prompt -do not respond with excessive and/or confusing spelling and sentence structure -write a topic sentence, provide supporting points, reasons and explanations, and a concluding sentence -make sure writing is legible and neat -fill in all of the lines provided - indent!

GOOD EXAMPLE:

WHY? It’s NEAT! It’s INDENTED! It fills up all of the SPACE PROVIDED! It is direct and focuses on ONE TOPIC! It provides good EXAMPLES and SUPPORT! PASS!!!!!

POOR EXAMPLE:

WHY? It is NOT INDENTED  It does not fill all of the SPACE PROVIDED  In their mock tests, many students forgot to: -Indent -Check their spelling, grammar, and sentence structure -Fill in all of the space provided -Stick to one topic Ensure that you do all of the above for full marks

NEWS REPORT: Student has: answered the questions who? what? where? when? and why? in the first two sentences referred to the picture and headline, and given specific information that can be tied to both written an article of at least 3 paragraphs in length (no more than 5) used all of the space provided taken on a professional tone written in the third person, leaving out personal opinions or biases has used at least one quotation expressing how others feel about this issue

GOOD EXAMPLE:

WHY? It’s NEAT! It’s INDENTED! It fills up all of the SPACE PROVIDED! It’s 3 PARAGRAPHS!! It answers the questions WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY in the lead! It is UNBIASED and sounds PROFESSIONAL! It is direct and focuses on the PICTURE and TITLE! It provides good EXAMPLES and SUPPORT! Includes at least one QUOTATION! PASS!!!!!

POOR EXAMPLE:

It is NOT INDENTED  It is TOO LONG (or is some cases, short)  It is not 3-5 PARAGRAPHS    It does not answer the 5 W’s in the lead In their mock tests, many students forgot to: -Indent -Check their spelling, grammar, and sentence structure -Fill in all of the space provided -Answer the 5 W’s Have 3-5 PARAGRAPHS!!!! Ensure that you do all of the above for full marks

OPINION PIECE: Student has: written between 3-5 paragraphs. 3 paragraphs is the minimum written to an audience who is an adult interested in his/her opinion used first person point of view, and the pronoun “I” come up with at least 2 supporting points used all of the space provided only expressed one opinion created a new paragraph with each new idea made sure writing is legible used full sentences and edited his/her work

GOOD EXAMPLE:

WHY? It’s NEAT! It’s INDENTED! It fills up all of the SPACE PROVIDED! It’s at least 3 PARAGRAPHS!! It is PERSONAL and expresses and OPINION It provides good EXAMPLES and SUPPORT! PASS!!!!!

POOR EXAMPLE: Don’t skip lines  This will result in a failing mark for your opinion piece!

POOR EXAMPLE: Don’t leave empty lines  This will result in a failing score for your opinion piece!

POOR EXAMPLE: Argue yes OR no, but not both! Be decisive! Remember to indent! Don’t leave spaces; fill every line!

Preparation is the Key Have a restful night’s sleep. Have a balanced and nutritious breakfast. Give yourself enough time to arrive to school on time for the test. Leave your home earlier on that day.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Available on the following website: (Student Resources) You can try sample tests, and check your answers After school on Tuesday March 26 th in the Library between 2:30-4:00 pm – See Mrs. Wilson * You can ask questions, see examples, and look over your mock test.

Good Luck!!!

Questions???