PSSAS AND YOU

All it takes is all you’ve got!

QUESTIONS WE WILL ANSWER What does PSSA stand for? What are the PSSAs? Who has to take the PSSAs? How are the PSSAs are scored? What subjects are tested on the PSSAs? What the PSSAs mean to you? How to prepare yourself for the PSSAs?

WHAT DOES PSSA STAND FOR? PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM OF SCHOOL ASSESMENT

When the PSSAs were created? In 1999 Pennsylvania adopted academic standards for Reading, Mathematics, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. The standards identify what a student should know and be able to do at varying grade levels.

WHAT ARE THE PSSAs? The annual PSSA is a standards based assessment used to measure a students attainment of the academic standards.

The PSSA is a criterion-referenced assessment. (Definition: Criterion-Referenced) A test designed to determine if a student has learned the material taught in a specific grade

WHEN DO STUDENTS HAVE TO TAKE THE PSSAs? Every Pennsylvania student in 3rd 4th 5th 6th 8th 11th In the subject areas of Math, Reading, Writing (Field Test)

PSSA Level Scores

What each level means? Below Basic- This level reflects inadequate academic performance and little understanding of the content Basic- This level reflects marginal academic performance and a partial understanding of the content

Proficient- This level reflects satisfactory academic performance and a solid understanding of the content Advanced- This level reflects superior academic performance and an in-depth understanding of the content

WHAT SUBJECTS ARE TESTED ON THE PSSAs ? READING MATH WRITING

WHAT DO THE PSSAs MEAN TO YOU? Indicate what you learned based upon Pennsylvania standards Indicate if you are proficient in the subject area Gives you an opportunity to show what you know

HOW TO PREPARE Yourself FOR THE PSSAs? TEST WEEK TIPS Be sure you get plenty of sleep Eat a hearty breakfast every day Be positive about the tests Get to school on time

TAKING THE MATH TEST

MULTIPLE CHOICE STRATEGIES Read the question carefully What is the question asking Read the answer choices Are any immediately wrong Do the math and then pick the answer that best fits the choices READ THE QUESTION AGAIN AND CHECK YOUR ANSWER

MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMPLES Mike, Gwen, Pat, and Sue shared two oranges. Mike ate 3/8 of the oranges, Gwen ate 1/4, Pat ate 1/8, and Sue ate 4/16. Who ate the most? A: Mike B: Gwen C: Pat D: Sue ANSWER: A

MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMPLES How many edges does this square pyramid have? A: 4 B: 5 C: 8 D: 9 ANSWER: C

PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES Read the question carefully What is the question asking for? Show your work Make sure you write the work Write the correct units DO NOT ERASE YOUR WORK! Check your answer for mistakes

PROBLEM SOLVING EXAMPLES A book has 150 pages. Every page is numbered. How many digits are used? Explain how you figured it out Page Numbers 1-9 10-99 100-150 Digits P/Page 1 2 3 Number of Pages 9 90 51 Total Digits 180 153 ANSWER: 9+180+153=342 DIGITS

PROBLEM SOLVING EXAMPLES Five students were competing against each other to see who could read the most books in a year Juan read twice as many books as Freddy. Johnny’s total was 4 more books than Juan’s. Randy read four more books than Johnny. Finally Tim topped them all with 32 books, which was 4 more than Randy read. How many books did all five students read in total? Explain how you got your answer

PROBLEM SOLVING EXAMPLES Name Books Read Tim 32 Randy (28) – 4 books Johnny (24) – 4 books Juan (20) – 4 books Freddy (10) ½ books ANSWER: 32+28+24+20+10 = 114 Books

TAKING THE READING TEST

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS Malia slipped quietly out of bed and out of the house. She sat still and silent on the back lanai as she watched the morning spread across the sky. She closed her eyes and felt the sunshine warming her body. She heard the wind whispering through her hair.  

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS As used in the passage, what does the word lanai mean? A: a bed B: a porch C: a bicycle D: a pillow ANSWER: B

OPEN ENDED QUESTION STRATEGIES Read the question prompt first Underline what it is asking you to do Respond to the question Read the response to check for accuracy. Does the response make sense? Have you responded to what the prompt asked for?

Things needed for Poster Pictures can be hand drawn or cuto out from clip art clip art Color-markers, crayons, or colored pencils A title- you may use one of these or come up with you own but PSSA must be in title

Examples of Titles The PSSA & YOU Are you ready for the PSSA? Why not try one of these tips for the PSSA? Are you ready for some PSSA? Got PSSA? If you are not sure about a title ask one of the teachers

PSSA & YOU Eat a good breakfast the morning of the PSSA Be prepared Eat a good breakfast the morning of the PSSA Be sure to get plenty of rest the night before the PSSA Think Positive Listen to all directions Be sure to read the whole question before answering Check over your work