“So, you want to learn the Force … Help you I can. My ally is the Force. And a powerful ally it is. It is what gives a Jedi his power. It is the energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us. It binds the universe together.” “Named must your fear be before you banish it.” -Master Yoda

True or False? STAAR stands for “State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness.” The English/language arts assessment is a combined reading and writing test. You have all the time you need to take the test. There are nine different literary genres included on the test. You will have to write three different kinds of essays. The English/language arts STAAR is on March 31st.

What is STAAR? The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, commonly referred to as its acronym STAAR, are a series of state-mandated standardized tests used in Texas public primary and secondary schools to assess a student's achievements and knowledge learned in the grade level. It tests curriculum taught from the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, which in turn is taught by public schools. The test is developed by Pearson Education every school year, along with the close supervision of the Texas Education Agency.

Combined Test Reading Writing Subject of Multiple Choice Questions Reading selections of various genres to be considered in isolation and together Revising and editing of sample student writing Essays Analytical paragraph– single selection Crossover analytical paragraph– paired selection Expository

How long is the test? You will have 5 hours to take the test. That’s just shy of 1/4th of a day. 300 minutes 18000 seconds

A visit to our Jedi archives… Genres Assessed in Reading Literary Fiction Literary nonfiction Poetry Drama Media literacy Informational Expository Persuasive Procedural Media literacy

Types of Multiple Choice Questions - Reading Question Type Example 1. Word meaning Read the following sentence from paragraph 1. The dusty black pickup sped off into the distance and soon found camouflage beyond the tree line. How does the denotation of camouflage contrast with its connotation? 2. Figurative language In paragraph 3, what information about the cultural setting of the vacations does the figurative language provide? 3. Tone and Evidence of Tone The author views her family as oddballs. What factual evidence best supports this perspective?

Types of Multiple Choice Questions – Reading, Continued… Question Type Example Inference Which inference would best be made from the selections? Controlling Idea (Theme) What statement best reflects the controlling idea of the selection? 6. Author’s Purpose Which set of details is most important to the author’s purpose?

Types of Multiple Choice Questions – Reading, Continued… Question Type Example 7. Literary Elements What element is used by the author most effectively? 8. Passage Comparisons What appears to be the most probable difference between the vacations described in the selections? 9. Extension to the World How vacation time is spent has changed over the past three or four decades. Which mechanism most likely caused the shift away from the traditional family vacation?

Types of Multiple Choice Questions – Revising and Editing Question Type Example 1. Sentence Combining What revision, if any, should be made to sentences 8 and 9? 2. Organizational Structure What is the most effective way to improve the organizational structure of the first four paragraphs? 3. Sentence Structure What is the best way to edit sentence 4 for correct structure?

Types of Multiple Choice Questions – Revising and Editing, Continued… Question Type Example 4. Continuity of Style Which sentence is the most effective way to revise the intended meaning of sentence 16 and remain true to the author’s style? 5. Clarify word meaning? In sentence 13, what revision best clarifies the intended meaning of the word destination? 6. Grammar and Punctuation What is the best way to edit sentence 3 to ensure the intended meaning of the restrictive relative clause is clear?

Types of Essays Analytical Paragraph Expository

Analytical Paragraphs Short Answer – Single Selection Short Answer – Paired Selection # Lines 10 Sample Question Discuss the role of irony in “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” Support your answer with evidence from the selection. Explain how genres in “Speeding into Sunset” and “The Endangered Family Vacation” connect through the theme to affect the meanings of the selections. Structure of Response Answer the question. (thesis) Cite words and phrases from the passage. Explain. Tie back to thesis. Cite words and phrases from selection #1. Cite words and Phrases from selection #2.

Expository Essay # Lines Allotted: 26 Sample Prompt Although all people exist as part of a larger group, many choose to question and even rebel against conforming to society’s accepted ideas. Write an essay explaining why it is sometimes necessary to think or act differently from others. Structure of Response 4 Paragraphs: Introduction with thesis Personal example Global example Conclusion

So, when do we take the test? MARCH 31st!!! “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”