MCAS Instruction Embedded in Readers' Workshop

(Under construction)

In line with the philosophy behind our RW instruction, MCAS improvement won't come from practice and assessment alone. Explicit modeling of test-taking strategies, small-group support, and intervention through conferring will "teach" children how to master response to test prompts.

MCAS General Reading Strategy Lessons to Embed in Units of Study

Good readers know that tracking their thinking while they read will make the test easier.

Good readers know that reading the question first can help make the test easier.

Good readers know that activating their schema will make the test easier.

Good readers know how to find and use the test author's clues to make the test easier.

Good readers know how to find and use the test directions.

Good readers know that rereading to understand unfamiliar words makes the test easier.

Good readers know that rereading to clear up confusion about a character or event makes the test easier.

Good readers know how to read the special structure of the test genre.

Good readers know how to eliminate answers that don't match.

Good readers can think backwards if the question includes words like "not" or "except."

MCAS "Main Idea" Strategy Lessons to Embed in Units of Study

Good readers decide what is important in a picture and use this information to find the main idea.

Good readers can identify the main idea in a poem.

Good readers recognize and understand main idea "test talk."

MCAS "Identifying Author's Purpose" Strategy Lessons to Embed in Units of Study

Good readers use three strategies to figure out answers in test questions about author's purpose.

Good readers know that different text types have different purposes.

Good readers know how to find answers that match the clues they've found in the text.

Good readers know how to sort "answer test talk" to match the different text types.

MCAS "Word Level" Strategy Lessons to Embed in Units of Study

Good readers monitor meaning by thinking about word parts.

Good readers recognize word study "test talk."

Good readers use their word study schema to answer multiple choice questions.

MCAS "Poetry" Strategy Lessons to Embed in Units of Study

Good readers understand the conventions of poetry.

Good readers recognize poetry "test talk."

Good readers use their poetry schema to answer multiple choice questions.

MCAS "Inferring" Strategy Lessons to Embed in Units of Study

Good readers know how to make inferences in short text pieces.

Good readers recognize inferring "test talk."

Good readers use their inferring schema to answer multiple choice questions.

MCAS Open Response Journals for Independent Reading

Grade Three Journal

Grade Three Short Text Pieces

Grade Three Scoring Rubric

Grade Three Open Response Template

 Wachusett Regional School District
1745 Main Street | Jefferson MA 01522 | Telephone: 508-829-1670 | Fax: 508-829-1680
Dr. Thomas Pandiscio, Superintendent