1. Presenter: Lindsey Cermak, Minnesota Literacy Council lcermak@mnliteracy.org

2.   To walk away with resources, ideas, and examples of teaching strategies for preparing learners for 2014  To learn about the key instructional shifts  NOT to spend the whole time talking about the content of the new test Objectives

3.  Format/Content Basics

4.  Development of Modern Liberties and Democracy Dynamic Responses in Societal Systems Civics and Government United States History EconomicsGeography and the World 20% 15% 50%

5.  80%

6.  65 Minutes  Multiple Choice (approximately 50%)  Fill-in-the-blank  Hot Spot  Drag and Drop 25 Minutes  Extended Response Item Types 90 minutes 35 items 44 raw points

7.   Understand Central Ideas and Supporting Information  Summarize Ideas  Make Inferences  Make Generalizations Based on Evidence  Follow a Sequence  Interpret Cause and Effect  Draw Conclusions  Analyze Author’s Point of View  Compare and Contrast Ideas  Differentiate Facts from Opinion and Speculation  Evaluate Relevance and Sufficiency of Information  Determine the Purpose of a Text Critical Thinking Skills

8.   Interpret Charts and Tables  Use Bar Graphs to Make Comparisons  See Trends in Line Graphs  Relate Parts of a Whole in Circle Graphs  Work with Data and Probability  Figure Out Diagrams  Interpret Maps for Meaning  Analyze Editorial Cartoons Data and Graphic Skills

9.   Find Range, Mean, Median, Mode  Determine the Probability of Single Event  Determine the Probability of Dependent Events  Use the Calculator with Data Problems Math Skills

10.   Analyze Arguments and Supporting Ideas  Counter arguments  Develop an Idea or Argument  Develop a Progression of Ideas  Maintain Focus Writing Skills

11.  Strategies and Resources

12.   Good tips on how to use online, instructional videos in the classroom. Free, Online Instructional Videos

13.   Read passages aloud in partners, partner up to answer questions, complete an exit slip after each class/unit. Steck-Vaughn: Building Strategies for GED Success

14.   Find two passages on a similar subject and have students compare/contrast them using a Venn Diagram Compare Reading Passages Reading #1 Reading #2

15.   Good resource for primary and secondary sources. History on the Net

16.   This is an amazing resource of primary source documents. There are great lessons plans teachers can use as is, or modify as needed.  Idea: Practice “translating” documents Library of Congress

17.   Great resource bank of different modules. Literacy Design Collaborative

18.   Although this is a K-12 site, there are some lessons and ideas that ABE teachers could take and modify for their own classrooms. The focus is on digital literacy in the classroom and well, that is what the GED 2014 is about. You have to sign up for this, but it is free and so far, I have not been attached with email solicitations. Digital Wish

19.   Good resource for relevant reading material. Change Agent

20.   Extended Response items on the 2014 GED® Social Studies test come from the civics and government domain and are focused on the theme Development of Modern Liberties and Democracy.  As a result, most of the enduring issues will fall into four categories:  1. Citizens’ rights in conflict with some other societal interest  2. Separation of powers  3. Checks and balances  4. States' rights versus federal power What are some examples of enduring issues that will be covered on the new Social Studies exam?

21.   Is there a common value and belief system in America, or has the concept of American unity simply always been a myth? Use specific details from the passage as well as examples from your personal life and knowledge of American society to support your answer. Example Prompt

22.   5 minutes: Establish a focus and generate ideas  10-15 minutes: First draft  5-10 minutes: Review, edit, revise Suggested Plan of Attack

23.  Instructional Shifts

24.   Brainstorm in small groups:  1. What are you already doing?  2. What is one thing you want to start implementing when you return to the classroom? Instructional Shifts

25.  Wrap-Up