1. PSSA Prep Answering an Open-Ended Question Testing for Math & Reading March 12 th – 23 rd

2. Step 1 for Answering an Open-Ended Question: Read and Think  Read the problem carefully.  What question are you asked? Phrase the question in your own words.  Pick out the keywords.  Look at the facts that are given. Ask yourself if there is information you don’t need.

3. Step 2 for Answering an Open-Ended Question: Select a Strategy Draw a picture or graph. Make a model or act it out. Make an organized list or table. Look for a pattern. Guess and check. Use logical thinking. Work backward. Write a number sentence or algebraic equation. Divide and conquer (break problem into steps). Solve a simpler problem (use smaller numbers).

4. Step 3 for Answering an Open-Ended Question: Solve (use your mathematical skills & knowledge)  Be careful not to make a mistake in your calculations.  Write out all of your steps and check your work.

5. Step 4 for Answering an Open-Ended Question: Write Explain your strategy and why you chose it. Writing should be clear so that someone else can understand what you are saying.

6. Step 5 for Answering an Open-Ended Question: Reflect Review what you have written. Can you improve what you have written to make it clearer, more accurate and complete?

7. Magic Words to get to find to figure out to show because since therefore

8. Explain What You Did… Don’t describe how you solved the problem; explain how you solved the problem. Use words from the original problem in your explanation. Remember to use your magic words and math vocabulary.

9. Explain What You Did… If Mary had two apples and John had five pears, how many pieces of fruit were there altogether? Solution: 2 + 5 = 7 Don’t Describe: I added two plus five to get seven. Explain: To figure out the total number of pieces of fruit I added the number of apples to the number of pears and got a sum of seven pieces of fruit.

10. A playground has the dimensions of 20 feet on one side and 15 feet on the other. What is the perimeter of the playground? Solution: 20 + 15 + 20 + 15 = 70 feet Don’t Describe: I added 20, plus 15, plus 20, plus 15 to get 70. Explain: To find the perimeter of the playground I added the length of both sides together with the two widths to get a total of seventy feet. Don’t forget: Use units with you final answer (feet). Explain What You Did…

11. Know You Try… Twelve friends were playing football on Saturday afternoon. Five people had to go home for dinner. How many people were left playing? Solution: 12 – 5 = 7 Explanation 1: Explanation 2: Magic Words: to get to find to figure out to show because since therefore

12. Know You Try… Pam worked a total of 36 hours in one month at the mall. How many hours did she work each week? Solution: 36 ÷ 4 = 9 Explanation 1: Explanation 2: Magic Words: to get to find to figure out to show because since therefore

13. Rubric A grading system used to score open-ended math questions. The person who scores your test uses a rubric. A rubric can also be used to guide you in answering open-ended questions. The rubric lists the things that should be found in your answer to get the best score that you can. Hint: You will never get a zero if you start to solve the problem. Write down what you are asked and the facts that are given.

14. Rubric Scoring Guide 4 – The response demonstrates a thorough understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task. 3 – The response demonstrates a general understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task. 2 - The response demonstrates a partial understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task. 1 - The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task. 0 – The response has no correct answer and insufficient evidence to demonstrate any understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures as required by the task for the grade level.

15. To earn money for summer camp, James walks dogs and helps paint houses. He earns $6 for each dog he walks and $4 for each hour he helps paint houses. During one week, James walked 5 dogs and helps paint a house for 1 hour. How much money should James have earned? Show or explain your work. Use Direct Messaging: 1-What do you know about this problem? Share anything! 2-Do you think you can solve it? 3-Are there any clues that help you determine what operation to use?

16. To earn money for summer camp, James walks dogs and helps paint houses. He earns $6 for each dog he walks and $4 for each hour he helps paint houses. During one week, James walked 5 dogs and helps paint a house for 1 hour. How much money should James have earned? Show or explain your work. The student has given the correct answer and has shown all work. This is a 4 point answer for this question.

17. To earn money for summer camp, James walks dogs and helps paint houses. He earns $6 for each dog he walks and $4 for each hour he helps paint houses. During one week, James walked 5 dogs and helps paint a house for 1 hour. How much money should James have earned? Show or explain your work. This is a 2 point response. How could this be improved?

18. In Summary: 5 Step-Plan: –Read & Think –Select a Strategy –Solve –Write –Reflect Use Magic Words Explain don’t Describe Use Rubric to Guide You

19. For More Information Go to the Pennsylvania Department of Educations Website at: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/ 1) Select the Pre K-12 tab at top of page 2) Select Assessment 3) Select Resource Materials