Praxis II Middle School Science/Math Test Preparation Course Beth Marchant NISMEC (Northern Indiana Science, Math and Engineering Collaborative)

Tonight’s Schedule 6:00 – Sign in and Introductions 6:10 – Why you are here – State of IN rules 6:15 – Exam help and why you should not teach this way 6:30 - Measurement - what does it mean?, how does it work? 7:00 – Break 7:10 - Work in groups – science, math 7:50 – recap – back in this room 8:00 - adjourn

REPA REPA ( REPA (Revisions for Educator Preparation and Accountability) Rules 46/47 Elementary certified teachers need content area certification to teach 7 th and 8 th grades (certification still good for K-6)

REPA Joyce Johnstone, licensing officer in IN from Univ. of Notre Dame, has offered for teachers to be able to take and pass Praxis II Middle School exams to reach content area knowledge before the REPA rules are in effect. Joyce Johnstone, licensing officer in IN from Univ. of Notre Dame, has offered for teachers to be able to take and pass Praxis II Middle School exams to reach content area knowledge before the REPA rules are in effect. Need to have been teaching satisfactorily for 4 years and pass exam Need to have been teaching satisfactorily for 4 years and pass exam

REPA Rules likely to be in effect July 31, 2010 – still must be approved by a couple of state committees Rules likely to be in effect July 31, 2010 – still must be approved by a couple of state committees A currently certified teacher can add to certification by passing Praxis II in any area with a few exceptions: spec. ed, elementary ed, ELL, etc. A currently certified teacher can add to certification by passing Praxis II in any area with a few exceptions: spec. ed, elementary ed, ELL, etc.

Questions?

Do as We Say, Not as We Do Caveat: We are not modeling any kind of good pedagogy here. We are only trying to help you pass an exam with only a short amount of preparation time. Caveat: We are not modeling any kind of good pedagogy here. We are only trying to help you pass an exam with only a short amount of preparation time. Unfortunately, most of what you learn will be at a level of rote memorization – we will hope for more, but we know that you don’t have much time. Unfortunately, most of what you learn will be at a level of rote memorization – we will hope for more, but we know that you don’t have much time. Take a summer guided inquiry course to learn how to teach better using proven research methods. Take a summer guided inquiry course to learn how to teach better using proven research methods.

Questions?

How to Approach Praxis II Take what you need – and only that – to the exam – glasses, etc. Take what you need – and only that – to the exam – glasses, etc. Study before the night before the exam so you can digest what you’ve learned Study before the night before the exam so you can digest what you’ve learned Too much material to learn it all in 3 or 7 weeks – learn what you can and move on Too much material to learn it all in 3 or 7 weeks – learn what you can and move on Do not need 100% to pass – need approx. 2/3 right to pass. Do not need 100% to pass – need approx. 2/3 right to pass.

How to Approach the Praxis II Take the practice exam to become familiar with the exam format Take the practice exam to become familiar with the exam format Use the 2 hours wisely – wear a watch Use the 2 hours wisely – wear a watch Science - ~90 minutes on multiple choice and 30 min on essays Science - ~90 minutes on multiple choice and 30 min on essays Math - ~80 minutes on MC and 40 min on problems Math - ~80 minutes on MC and 40 min on problems No penalty for guessing – answer every question No penalty for guessing – answer every question

Multiple Choice Questions Read all possible answers before choosing one It is OK to write in test booklet, so cross out ones you are sure are wrong or make a mark next to the ones that may be right If you can get down to 2, you have a better chance than guessing at 4 Skip questions that seem complicated, difficult or too long

Multiple Choice Questions Watch where you put your answers – stop and double-check the question number and answer number to make sure that you are bubbling in the correct answer Watch where you put your answers – stop and double-check the question number and answer number to make sure that you are bubbling in the correct answer Some questions are for testing the question only and will not count toward your score Some questions are for testing the question only and will not count toward your score Do your best to answer a question and move on – mark it if you are unsure. Do your best to answer a question and move on – mark it if you are unsure.

Questions?