2. To earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), you must complete:  30 credits (18 compulsory and 12 elective)  40 community involvement hours  Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

3.  Started grade 9 in 2014-2015 (last year)  Came to Ontario from another province or country and entered grade 10, 11 or 12 this year or after March of last year  Tried the test in the past but were unsuccessful  Were absent or deferred in the past and are working towards completing the high school diploma

5.  Thursday March 31 st, 2016  In school @ 8:10am  In your assigned classroom @ 8:20am  Starting at 8:30am sharp

6.  You have received an information letter with a room number on it – this is where you will be writing your test  Record this number in a safe place  Room numbers will NOT be posted  The day of the test, be in your seat by 8:20am

7.  If you arrive late, go to the Guidance Office from where you will be escorted to your room to write the test  You will not get any extra time  The instructions will not be repeated

8.  Your chances of being successful will be jeopardized and you may have to write the entire test again next year Don’t be late! It will affect your chances of being successful.

9.  If you are absent for any reason (including medical emergencies), your score will be listed as “UNSUCCESSFUL”  You will have to write the test again next year

10. Bring  HB Pencils  Pens (blue/black)  a highlighter Do NOT Bring  Tablets/laptops  cell phones  Apple watches  any other electronic devices  notes, notebooks  white out  backpack

12.  2 parts – 75 minutes each  Booklet 1: Questions & Answers  Booklet 2: Questions & Answers  10 minutes for instructions before each booklet  15 minute break between booklets – snacks provided  In each booklet: reading selections, writing tasks, and questions

13. For students who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or are English Language Learners:  Extra time (up to double time)  Accommodations as listed on the IEP (i.e. use of a computer, quiet space)

14.  Teacher will direct you to your seat  Your seat will remain the same for Booklets 1 & 2  Wait for instructions: do not open the booklet until told to do so  Only open Booklet 1 (Questions and Answers) and place Booklet 2 facing down on the corner of your desk  Read instructions on the inside of each booklet and follow these carefully

15. Teachers cannot…  explain, define, or provide examples  answer questions related to the test

17.  Listen to the teacher’s oral instructions at the beginning of each booklet  Work on your own  Write clearly  Follow all the instructions in the booklet

18.  Manage your time  Complete all tasks!  Don’t leave anything blank  Use rough notes space to plan your writing  Only use the space provided in the Answer Booklet

19.  EQAO will report offensive comments to the Principal  Your chance of success will be jeopardized; you may not be successful

20.  Check your answers  DO NOT DISTURB YOUR CLASSMATES!  You will not be allowed to use your electronic devices  You will not be allowed to leave early

21.  Successful/Unsuccessful  mid-June, you will receive a letter from EQAO with your results  i f unsuccessful, you will meet with Mr. McKillop to determine your next steps

23.  Understand directly (explicit) stated ideas and information  Understand indirectly (implicit) stated ideas and information  Make connections between what you read and your own knowledge and experience

24. 1. Information Paragraph: information & ideas on a topic 2. News Report: information in a news story 3. Dialogue: a conversation 4. Real-life Narrative: a description of a time in a person’s life 5. Graphic Text: ideas presented in graphics such as schedules, diagrams, photos, drawings, sketches, patterns, timetables, maps, charts or tables

25. a. Multiple Choice: read and then select the best or most correct answer from a list of four options. Use the Answer Booklet. b. Open-response: read information paragraph, news report or dialogue and then answer 1- 2 questions based on the reading selection. Use the Answer Booklet. Six blank lines are provided. Use them all, but don’t write outside the lines. Be sure to make connections between the text and your own experience

27.  Developing a main idea with enough supporting details  Organizing information and ideas in a coherent way  Using writing conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) to communicate clearly

28. 1a. Long writing tasks:  NEWS REPORT : using a picture & headline  link the headline & photograph to an event  use the one lined page provided to write your answer in the Answer Booklet  write about an event that happened in the past to inform readers of a newspaper  include information about who, what, where, when, why and how (you can make up facts to make your story interesting)  Keep in mind your audience : an adult reader of a newspaper

29.  Small paragraphs  Two to three quotes  Specific details

30. Types of writing questions: 1b. Long writing tasks: SERIES OF PARAGRAPHS: expressing an opinion topic will be current and familiar minimum of 3 paragraphs : intro, body and conclusion two lined pages to write your answer in the Answer Booklet support opinion : reasons, examples and facts audience: an adult interested in your opinion

31. 2. Short writing tasks: write in complete sentences – use the number of lines provided for each answer. Use the Answer Booklet and be specific. 3. Multiple-choice questions: questions checking your understanding of the three writing skills – developing a main idea, organizing information and using writing conventions to communicate clearly. Record answers in the Answer Booklet.

33.  Answer in Answer Booklet  Do not leave anything blank – guess if you do not know the answer  To change your answer, erase the incorrect answer and fill in the circle of your new answer  Make correct answer darker

34.  Use blue or black ink or pencil and write in the Answer Booklet on the lines provided  Number of lines = expected length of answer  Use rough notes space to plan answers, but write your response on the lined space  To change your answer, cross out the incorrect part and write the new answer neatly  DO NOT USE LIQUID PAPER / WHITE OUT

35.  Go to Markville’s website and click on the link on the front page to review this power point presentation http://markville.ss.yrdsb.ca/  Literacy Practice Booklets and Practice Test www.eqao.com  Go to: “English”  Go to: “Student Resources”  Go to: “Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test”  Go to: “Getting Ready Guide”

36. http://goo.gl/forms/JWjG792ny1 Please complete this survey on your device, take a photo of the link, or ask your teacher for the link and complete when you get back to class.

38. Come up to the stage and ask!

39.  Be confident!  Your teachers and the LITERACY BLITZ activities have prepared you.  We know you can do this!  Get a good night sleep on Wednesday  Eat breakfast