Michigan Merit Exam Prep Course for High School Students Feb. 4, 11

1
Michigan Merit Exam Prep Course for High School
StudentsFeb. 4, 11 18, 2009400 600 pm
400
Session 1
Presented by Tovah Sheldon
JCISD Data, Assessment and Curriculum Coordinator
Tovah.Sheldon_at_jcisd.org
2
Agenda

• Day 1 (February 4, 2009 from 400 600pm)
• 400 - Norms/Expectations
• 415 - Activity- What do you know?
• 445 - Process Format of the MME (MME Squares)
• 500 - Practice Mini - Timed Test
• 530 - Basic Test Strategies Dinner
• 600 - Wrap Up

Day 3 (February 18, 2009 from 400
600pm) 400 - Review Focus 415 - Content
Strategies for Math 500 - Content Strategies
for Science 530 - Activity Dinner 600 -
Wrap Up

• Day 2 (February 11, 2009 from 400 600pm)
• 400 - Review and Focus
• 415 - Content Strategies for Writing
• 500 - Content Strategies for Reading
• 515 - Activity Dinner
• 530 -Content Strategies for Social Studies
• 600 - Wrap Up

3
Expectations
4
What do you know about the MME?
Process What rules apply when taking the MME? (What occurs the days before, during and after the administration of the MME ?) Format What type of test is the MME? How is the MME organized? (What testing question stems, vocabulary and test taking skills promote success on the MME?)
Content What information is fair game to test on the MME? Data What information do you get back from the MME?
What else do you know about the MME? (any random facts) What else do you know about the MME? (any random facts)
5
Why the MME? (Why not just ACT or no test at
all...)

• Public Act 451 (Revised in 2006-MCL 380.1279g)
  This law states all pupils in grade 11 shall be
  administered the state assessment (i.e. the
  Michigan Merit Exam) in accordance to the
  federal no child left behind act of 2001 and meet
  the following criteria
• Assessment instruments that measure English
  language arts, mathematics, reading, and science
  and are used by colleges and universities in this
  state for entrance or placement purposes
• One or more tests from 1 or more test developers
  that assess a pupil's ability to apply reading
  and mathematics skills in a manner that is
  intended to allow employers to use the results in
  making employment decisions
• A social studies component
• Alignment with the Michigan Merit Curriculum high
  school content expectations.

This requirement is satisfied by the ACT
Writing Test.
This requirement is satisfied by the 3 WorkKeys
Tests
This requirement is satisfied by the additional
Michigan developed test.
After all that, the ACT/WorkKeys dont actually
test ALL the needed HSCE, so they created
additional Math and Science tests also to satisfy
the last requirement.
6
What do you get out of it?

• The Michigan Promise Scholarship
  http//www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-22709_351
  50-204760--,00.html or http//www.michigan.gov/mi
  studentaid/0,1607,7-128-38193_44522---,00.html
• By having valid scores you get up to 4000 for
  further education.
• By having passing scores (Level 1s 2s) you
  get that money earlier!

7
What does the Process Format for Spring 2009
look like?
8
MME Schedule
9
2009 MME Test Breakout(Only included items that
count towards MME score not of items assessed)
ACT or WorkKeys Assessment (Day 1 2)
Michigan Component Assessment (Day 3)
10
MME Contributing Components
of Questions
37
37
75
60
30
40
35
35
20
40
12
12
33
15
15
33
15
6
38
8
20
34
32
49
28
42
11
Additional Process and Format Packet

• Skim through the additional Process and Format
  Packet. (5 10 minutes)
• High light anything you didnt know before or
  that stands out to you.
• As a group of 3 5, each person share at least 2
  pieces of valuable information. No one can share
  redundant information. (5 10 minutes)

• Lets check for understanding and play... MME
  Squares!

12
Mini-Practice Test

• You will have 8 minutes to complete each of the 4
  ACT like assessments. If you finish the test
  early, you may check over your answers for the
  current test or wait silently until the test time
  is up.
• You will complete one test at a time, without
  looking ahead to the next test and do not go back
  to a previous test after the 8 minutes are up.
• The test order will be English, Math, Reading,
  then Science.
• You will have a 5 minute break between Math and
  Reading.

13
Dinner Break and Answer Key

• While enjoying dinner take a few minutes to score
  your own test.
• As a group of 3 5, write as many test
  strategies as you can think of that helped you
  perform on the test.
• Do your strategies match with the research?

14
General Test Strategies for MME

• Reverse Triage Deciding whether to do a question
  now, later, or much later is a crucial part of
  improving ACT results. The point of Triage is to
  help you invest your time more profitably. ACT
  is a strictly timed test. Remember that easy
  questions are worth just as much as hard
  questions. So do the easy ones first.
•  
• First Pass, Second Pass On the first pass, do
  the questions you know how to do. On the second
  pass, do the questions you think you know how to
  do.
• The ACT is a multiple-choice test. This means
  you dont have to come up with an answer you
  just have to identify the correct answer from
  among the choices provided.
• There is no penalty for guessing. There are 215
  total questions on the ACT. If you went into the
  test room and filled out your name then went to
  sleep obviously your score would be a zero.
  However, if you went into the test room, filled
  out your name and then picked answer B 215 times,
  guess what your composite score would be? 12! I
  dont recommend random guessing as an overall
  strategy, but you can see that it is better to
  answer every question even if it is guessing than
  leaving anything blank.
• P.O.E The Process of Elimination. POE will
  enable you to make your guesses really count.
  Sometimes it is easier to spot incorrect answers
  than correct ones. By eliminating one or two
  incorrect answers, your odds of picking the right
  answer just got better

15
Wrap Up...

• Practice for next time...
• The ACT Assessment Sample Test Booklet
• The ACT Assessment Writing Test
• Try out at least one of the test strategies and
  see if you increase your average score.
• Our next session is on Feb. 11 from 400 600
  and will focus on the
• Essay Writing portion of the ACT
• Reading and English Multiple Choice portion of
  the ACT
• WorkKeys Reading for Information
• Michigan Social Studies Test
• Feel free to email me if you have questions or
  are struggling on a specific part of the test.
  Any questions or concepts that you really want
  help on, we can address at the next session, if
  you email me ahead of time. (tovah.sheldon_at_jcisd.o
  rg)

16
Resources

• Practice Tests
• http//www.actstudent.org/sampletest/index.html
• More Information
• www.act.org
• www.act.org/workkeys
• www.mich.gov/mde
• www.mich.gov/mme
• www.mich.gov/oeaa

17
Michigan Merit Exam Prep Course for High School
StudentsFeb. 4, 11 18, 2009400 600 pm
400
Session 2
Presented by Tovah Sheldon
JCISD Data, Assessment and Curriculum Coordinator
Tovah.Sheldon_at_jcisd.org
18
Agenda

• Day 1 (February 4, 2009 from 400 600pm)
• 400 - Norms/Expectations
• 415 - Activity- What do you know?
• 445 - Process Format of the MME (MME Squares)
• 500 - Practice Mini - Timed Test
• 530 - Basic Test Strategies Dinner
• 600 - Wrap Up

Day 3 (February 18, 2009 from 400
600pm) 400 - Review Focus 415 - Content
Strategies for Math 500 - Content Strategies
for Science 530 - Activity Dinner 600 -
Wrap Up

• Day 2 (February 11, 2009 from 400 600pm)
• 400 - Review and Focus
• 415 - Content Strategies for Writing
• 500 - Content Strategies for Reading
• 515 - Activity Dinner
• 530 - Content Strategies for Social Studies
• 600 - Wrap Up

19
Expectations
20
What worked?
21
Reading and Writing Content Strategies

• It is fair game to test any of the 91 English
  Language Arts (Reading and Writing) High School
  Content Expectations on the four tests that count
  toward your MME ELA Score.
• (http//www.michigan.gov/documents/ELA11-14open1_
  142201_7.pdf)
• ACT Writing, ACT English, ACT Reading, and
  WorkKeys Reading for Information
• Even though the ACT English test has 37 questions
  that count towards the MME Writing Score, The
  Writing Essay test worth 12 points is weighted
  more for your MME Writing Score. The essay will
  be the last test you take on Day 1 and youll be
  exhausted!
• Remember, when you finish with one test, erase it
  from your mind and start fresh!

22
The Writing Essay Test What is the ACT Writing
Rubric?

• 6 point rubric (see next slide/handouts)
• Each essay is read and scored by two readers
  (giving a total of 12 points)
• Looking at samples... Range Finding Activity
• As a table pick an anchor paper, read it
  independently, give it a score, then talk as a
  group until you agree.
• Repeat the process for as many anchor papers as
  possible.
• You have 15 minutes to do as many anchor papers
  as possible.

23
Six Point Holistic Scoring Rubric
24
Six Point Holistic Scoring Rubric
25
Six Point Holistic Scoring Rubric
26
The Writing Essay Test What is the ACT Writing
Rubric?

• 6 point rubric (see next slide/handouts)
• Each essay is read and scored by two readers
  (giving a total of 12 points)
• Looking at samples... Range Finding Activity
• As a table pick an anchor paper, read it
  independently, give it a score, then talk as a
  group until you agree.
• Repeat the process for as many anchor papers as
  possible.
• You have 15 minutes to do as many anchor papers
  as possible.

27
How did your group do?

• Using the Anchor Paper Answer Key, check how
  many papers you or your group score correctly?

28
The Essay Writing Test Portion Continued...

• What the graders are grading
• Take a position on the prompt.
• Maintain focus on the topic.
• Support your ideas.
• Organize your ideas.
• Use language clearly and effectively.
• Make it easy for the graders to give you a top
  score by
• Showing that you have a thesis.
• Clearly show your essay has structure.
• Provide relevant, concise examples.

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Steps to Writing for the ACT

• Step 1
• Work with the prompt to brainstorm
• Step 2
• Structure your essay. ( short outline)
• Introduction frame the discussion, and then
  state your thesis.
• Body paragraphs support your position by making
  a good transition/topic sentence, giving a
  relevant example, and then explaining how the
  example supports your position. Also provide the
  cons or attack the other position.
• Conclusions should restate the thesis
• Step 3
• Put it all together and proofread when you are
  done.

• I. Introduction Paragraph
• Paraphrase the Prompt
• State your Thesis
• II. Con Body Paragraph
• Topic Sentence
• Con Example
• III. Pro Body Paragraph
• Topic Sentence
• Pro Example
• IV. Pro Body Paragraph II
• Topic Sentence
• Pro Example II
• V. Conclusion
• Restate Thesis

30
Things to keep in mind
Length Sentence Structure Diction Neatness

• ...should be 5 paragraphs. N o less.
• ...vary short and long sentences, but be careful
  of grammatical mistakes.
• ...use word choice wisely. If you are uncertain
  about the meaning or spelling of a word, just
  pick a different word and try not to be
  repetitive.
• ...make sure to indent. Dont go over the lines
  or write down the side of the paper. Avoid messy
  cross-outs and make sure your handwriting is as
  legible as possible.

31
ACT English Test Strategies

• You need to know what types of errors
  (punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, and
  rhetorical skills) crop up again and again and
  how to fix them. Use Reverse Triage (now, later,
  or much later).
• Dont rely on your ear look for specific errors.
  Just less than 25 of the time there is nothing
  wrong with the question and the right answer is
  NO CHANGE.
• The best way to tackle this test is to practice,
  practice, practice and then practice more (and
  worst case scenario...at least guess!)
• http//classroom.jc-schools.net/basic/la-grammar.h
  tml

32
ACT Reading Test Strategies

• Attack the passages in the order that best suits
  you.
• See through the camouflage that hides correct
  answer choices.
• Look for answer choices that reword parts of the
  passages.
• Read between the lines to make inferences.
• Identify incorrect answer choices and eliminate
  them quickly.
• Answer questions without really reading the
  passages.
• Put all these techniques together in order to
  approach every passage and questions with a
  step-by-step strategy that leads systematically
  to the correct answers.
• Reading Test Topics (Remember to pick the order
  that best suits YOU.)
• Natural Science Passages
• Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Physical
  Sciences.
• Mostly filled with lots of details and dry
  technical description.
• Fiction Passages
• Excerpts from short stories and novels.
• Mostly concerned with who, what, where, when,
  and why.
• Contains hints and suggestions about characters
  and their motivations.
• Social Science
• History, Economics, Psychology, Political
  Sciences, and Anthropology.
• The author will often have a viewpoint about the
  subject

33
WorkKeys Reading for Information Test
Strategies

• Use similar strategies to the ACT Reading test.
• WorkKeys is only 33 questions in 40 minutes.
• The test is to measure the skills people use when
  they read and use written texts in order to do a
  job. The written texts include memos, letters,
  directions, notices bulletins, policies and
  regulations.
• It is often the case that these workplace
  communications are not well written or targeted
  to the appropriate audience. (See examples in
  packet).

34
Dinner break...
35
Dinner and Data
What score should you shoot for? Try to exceed
the College Readiness Benchmarks indicated on
the table to the left...
Test Scale Score (Benchmark out of 36) Raw Score Approx. correct of raw score
English 18 39-41 out of 75 53
Math 22 33-34 out of 60 55
Reading 21 23 out of 40 58
Science 24 29 out of 40 73
36
Social Studies Test Content Strategies

• The Social Studies Test is based on the old
  Michigan Curriculum Frameworks and has 42
  questions on the Michigan Component in 40 minutes
  38 questions on the WorkKeys Locating
  Information test in 45 minutes.
• There are 7 - 11 questions per topic (History,
  Geography, Civics and Economics) on the Michigan
  Social Studies test. Remember this is the last
  test on the last day...
• Do the questions you know FIRST!
• Use P.O.E. and identify incorrect answer choices
  and eliminate them quickly.
• Locating Information assessment tests inquiry
  ability (see Locating Information Skills page
  Levels 3 7 with examples).

37
Wrap Up...

• Practice for next time...
• The ACT Assessment Writing Test
• Try out at least one of the test strategies and
  see if you increase your average score.
• Our next session is on Feb. 1 8 from 400 600
  and will focus on the
• Mathematics portion of the ACT
• Work Keys Applied Mathematics
• Michigan Mathematics Test
• Science portion of the ACT
• Michigan Science Test
• Feel free to email me if you have questions or
  are struggling on a specific part of the test.
  Any questions or concepts that you really want
  help on, we can address at the next session, if
  you email me ahead of time. (tovah.sheldon_at_jcisd.o
  rg)

38
Michigan Merit Exam Prep Course for High School
StudentsFeb. 4, 11 18, 2009400 600 pm
400
Session 3
Presented by Tovah Sheldon
JCISD Data, Assessment and Curriculum Coordinator
Tovah.Sheldon_at_jcisd.org
39
Agenda

• Day 1 (February 4, 2009 from 400 600pm)
• 400 - Norms/Expectations
• 415 - Activity- What do you know?
• 445 - Process Format of the MME (MME Squares)
• 500 - Practice Mini - Timed Test
• 530 - Basic Test Strategies Dinner
• 600 - Wrap Up

Day 3 (February 18, 2009 from 400
600pm) 400 - Review Focus 415 - Content
Strategies for Math 500 - Content Strategies
for Science 530 - Activity
Dinner 600 - Wrap Up

• Day 2 (February 11, 2009 from 400 600pm)
• 400 - Review and Focus
• 415 - Content Strategies for Writing
• 500 - Content Strategies for Reading
• 515 - Activity Dinner
• 530 - Content Strategies for Social Studies
• 600 - Wrap Up

40
Mathematics Test Content

• ALL High School Content Expectation from Algebra
  I and Geometry are fair game. Also, MOST of the
  HSCE from Algebra II are allowed to be on the
  test AND some of the ACT questions and WorkKeys
  questions will test content which was learned
  prior to high school.
• Read for yourself...
• http//www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-38924_416
  44_42668---,00.html or www.mich.gov/mathematics
• http//mi-math-companion.wikispaces.com/

41
ACT Mathematics Strategies

• The ACT is intentionally set up to have easy,
  medium and hard questions. Some will have just
  one step and take less than one minute while
  other will have more than three steps to solving
  them and could take more like three to five
  minutes. Dont forget to use Reverse Triage.
• Avoid Partial Answers. This is one way ACT
  tricks test takers. Make sure you underline
  and/or are clear on what the actual problem is
  asking, so that you do all the steps needed to
  reach the final answer.
• Use POE and Common Sense. Having good number
  sense give you good common sense in math.
• Of the 60 questions, usually 2 are red
  herrings. Those are questions that contain more
  information that is needed to solve the problem.
  Just make sure to really read each question
  carefully.

42
ACT Mathematics Strategies Continued...

• Know what you are tackling and know that you
  wont know the answer to EVERY question...

Pre-Algebra and Elementary Algebra (24 Questions) Basic Terms real numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, integers, positive, and negative, even and odd, digits, prime numbers, absolute value, variables and coefficients. Basic Operations divisibility rules, sum, product, difference, quotient, factors, and multiples Basic Symbols equal, not equal, less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to. Exponents Multiplying numbers with the same base, dividing numbers with the same base, negative powers, fractional powers, raising a power to a power, the zero power, the first power, and distributing exponents. (be careful with parenthesis) Radicals Square roots (only give the positive root). Order of Operations, fractions, decimals, scientific notation, ratios, percents, averages, and word problems. Intermediate Algebra and Coordinate Geometry (18 Questions) Based on exponents, square roots, factoring, writing equations, inequalities, simultaneous equations, and graphing. The Basic Equation (when x has a particular value), The Cosmic Equation (when x has no particular value), Simultaneous Equations, Inequalities, Logarithms Know the Golden Rule of Algebra Whatever you do to one side of an equation, you have to do to the other side. Some options for solving work backwards, do the translation, plug it in. ACTs favorite quadratic equations Train yourself to recognize these both factored and unfactored. x2 y2 (x y) (x - y) x2 2xy y2 (x y)2 x2 2xy y2 (x y)2 Graphing Inequalities (open circles, closed dot) Important formulas for Coordinate Geometry to memorize The Y-intercept formula y mx b The Slope formula slope change in y or y1 y2 change in x x1 x2 The Midpoint formula (xm, ym) x1 x2 , y1 y2 2 2 Circles, Ellipses and Parabolas you should have a vague ideas of what these equations look like but you dont have to memorize these extra tough ones
43
ACT Mathematics Strategies Continued...

• Know what you are tackling and know that you
  wont know the answer to EVERY question...

Geometry (14 Questions) Based on angles (supplementary, vertical), lengths, triangles (types), quadrilaterals, parallel lines, areas (formulas), perimeters, circles (radius, chord, area and circumference formulas), and volumes. Know degrees in a circle, line, perpendicular angle, triangle, quadrilateral, etc. Be on the look out for problems which the application of Pythagorean theorem is not obvious but can be used. Be on the look out for figures/diagrams they are not necessarily to scale. ACT states most figures are drawn reasonably accurate but not EVERY diagram is drawn EXACTLY to scale, so dont rely on them and dont be mislead. You may want to just draw your own diagram if there is no one included for you. Basic Trigonometry (4 Questions) Based on SOHCAHTOA and some other basic trigonometry formulas. Two of the four trig questions will deal with right triangles. SOHCAHTOA Sine is Opposite over Hypotenuse. Cosine is Adjacent over Hypotenuse. Tangent is Opposite over Adjacent. Other basic formulas Cosecant 1 , sine Secant 1 , cosine Cotangent 1 , tangent Sin2? Cos2? 1 Sin ? Tan ? Cos ?
44
WorkKeys Applied Mathematics Strategies

• The test is 33 in 45 minutes.
• This assessment tests the skills people use when
  they use mathematical reasoning and
  problem-solving techniques to solve work-related
  problems.
• Employees may use calculators and conversion
  tables to help with the problems, but they still
  need to use math skills to think them through.
  (See examples with Levels 3 7)

45
Partner Talk It Through Activity

• Sample Item Level 6
• You are preparing to tile the floor of a
  rectangular room that is 15½ feet by 18½ feet in
  size. The tiles you plan to use are square,
  measuring 12 inches on each side, and are sold in
  boxes that contain enough tile to cover 25 square
  feet. How many boxes of tiles must you order to
  complete the job?
•  11
• 12
• 34
• 59
• 287

46
Michigan Mathematics Strategies

• By this time, you will be beginning your last day
  of testing!

47
Science Test Content

• ALL Essential Science High School Content
  Expectation will be fair game on the two
  assessments that make up the MME Science score.
• The ACT Science and Michigan Science Test are
  VERY different skills, but use the same
  strategies!

48
ACT Science Reasoning Test

• This test is more like a reading test whose sole
  subject matter is science. What you do need is an
  understanding of the scientific method and how to
  interpret charts, graphs and tables. Time
  management is key in this section of the ACT.

Charts and Graphs a.k.a. Data Representation (3 passages, 15 questions) Look at the variables and the units used. Not every graph is a bar graph (other graphs used are linear graphs, graphs with curves, scatter graphs, and flat lines) Experiments a.k.a. Research Summaries (3 passages, 18 questions) Identify the research objective Follow the procedure and identify the variable. Take notes on each step within the experiment. Study the results. Look for assumptions. Fighting scientists a.k.a. Conflicting Viewpoints (1 passage, 7 questions) Identify the disagreement. Identify the type of questions. Assumptions are probably made here.
49
ACT Science Reasoning Four-Step Strategy (much
like the Reading section)

• Scan the passage.
• Look at each question and identify its type.
• Understanding -Tests your ability to paraphrase
  specific parts of the passage, find the
  assumption of an argument or in the underlying
  point of an experiment, and/or find the control
  of the study. Look for the variable that has not
  been manipulated or exposed.
• Analysis - Tests for deeper understanding of the
  information. You may have to consider more than
  one part of the passage. You will need to
  recognize relationships between different pieces
  of information. Then, figure out why something
  happened or what is going to happen.
• Generalization - Requires you to see thing in
  perspective the bigger picture. You will be
  asked to relate the information, events, or ideas
  to something not described in the passage, more
  like in the real world.
• Guesstimate (make rough estimates interpreting
  charts and graphs)
• Use POE Process of Elimination.

50
Michigan Science Test Strategies

• Since 62 of the MME Science Score comes from the
  Michigan Science Test component, it is KEY to
  demonstrate your knowledge here.
• Remember there are 49 questions in 40 minutes...
  So practice the same strategies as before scan
  the passage, use POE, guess if you dont know (it
  is better than not finishing), etc. You may run
  out of time if you arent careful.
• There will be 8-13 questions per content area
  Earth Science, Biology, Physics and Chemistry.
• The test will vary in difficulty meaning some
  will be knowledge/fact based, while others will
  be application or ask you to synthesize
  information to predict or infer what will
  happen.

51
Dinner and Data Continued...

• What will happen after the test?
• 3 -4 weeks after your test youll get an ACT
  Student Report back to you directly (in addition
  your scores will have been sent directly to your
  high school and the colleges you wrote on your
  profile)
• http//www.actstudent.org/scores/understand/studen
  treport.html
• Similarly, you will get the results back from the
  WorkKeys test and see which level you have been
  awarded for the NCRC (National Career Readiness
  Certificate). This award is either Bronze (3s)
  Silver (4s) or Gold (5s and higher). This
  certificate should go in your electronic
  portfolio and should be noted on your resume for
  work or college application.
• http//www.act.org/workkeys/education/students/rep
  ort.html
• It wont be until June or even into AUGUST that
  your actual MME scores are released and you will
  know if you earned valid and/or passing scores in
  all subject areas.
• http//www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/FINAL_MME_Gu
  ide_to_Reports_Spring_2008_v8.12.08_245108_7.pdf

52
Wrap Up...

• Thank you for your time and participation! Good
  Luck on the MME!!!