Title: Michigan Merit Exam Prep Course for High School Students Feb. 4, 11
1Michigan 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
2Agenda
- 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
3Expectations
4What 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)
5Why 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.
6What 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!
7What does the Process Format for Spring 2009
look like?
8MME Schedule
92009 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)
10MME 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
11Additional 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!
12Mini-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.
13Dinner 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?
14General 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
15Wrap 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)
16Resources
- 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
17Michigan 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
18Agenda
- 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
19Expectations
20What worked?
21Reading 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!
22The 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.
23Six Point Holistic Scoring Rubric
24Six Point Holistic Scoring Rubric
25Six Point Holistic Scoring Rubric
26The 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.
27How did your group do?
- Using the Anchor Paper Answer Key, check how
many papers you or your group score correctly?
28The 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.
29Steps 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
30Things 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.
31ACT 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
32ACT 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
33WorkKeys 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).
34Dinner break...
35Dinner 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
36Social 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).
37Wrap 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)
38Michigan 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
39Agenda
- 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
40Mathematics 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/
41ACT 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.
42ACT 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
43ACT 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 ?
44WorkKeys 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)
45Partner 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
46Michigan Mathematics Strategies
- By this time, you will be beginning your last day
of testing!
47Science 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!
48ACT 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.
49ACT 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.
50Michigan 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.
51Dinner 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
52Wrap Up...
- Thank you for your time and participation! Good
Luck on the MME!!!