1. EQAO Grade 6 Parent Information Night
Welcome!
We want to welcome you and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to help support our 6’s with the preparation for the EQAO assessment
You’re here because we recognize that our board has a valuable resource and that is teachers with a wealth of knowledge that can bring personal experiences to these workshops which will help to improve teacher programming and improve student success.

2. EQAO-helping to track your child’s success!
What's the importance of EQAO? Tracking your child's progress in Literacy

3. Agenda Overview of EQAO EQAO and My Child
What Can I do to help My Child Prepare for EQAO?
Classroom Supports
Reading: What is EQAO looking for?
Writing: What is EQAO looking for?
Math: What is EQAO looking for?
Wrap-up
-changes to EQAO
-still based on the three strands of learning

4. What is EQAO?
It is a standardized test based on the Ministry Expectations that is administered by the Province in Grade 3 and Grade 6
The Grade 3 and 6 Assessments test READING, WRITING and MATHEMATICS
It assesses a student’s learning up to their current grade level (for example- Grade 6 EQAO assesses the learning done between Grades 4-6)
It is a way to check students’ preparedness for the Grade 9 Assessment in Mathematics and the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

5. A Message from EQAO- What is it? What is it for?
What is EQAO? A message from the Ministry

6. Fast Facts about EQAO Assessments
based on the Ontario Curriculum expectations in Language Arts and Mathematics
window for testing is from the end of May to the beginning of June
Students will be writing their tests during 3 days
Students will be provided with snacks and breaks during the testing dates
Students are able to have extra time to complete tests if needed
-Refer to New for 2005
-Ministry Guide- A Guide To Effective instruction for Reading (ERS)
-Metro Literacy videos
-tests can be given back to the students therefore some publishing companies have compiled some of these tasks
-hard copy is provided by Chapters-
-see eqao website –caution with the first test sample”Pollution and recycling”
-anchor booklets are useful for understanding the thinking behind the assessments of eqao

7. How does EQAO help your child
EQAO’s Junior assessments of reading and writing and mathematics provide valuable information at a key stage of elementary education
These results, along with the information your child’s teacher gathered through assessments and observation, can help identify your child’s strengths and areas that require work

9. CR Marchant’s EQAO Results for the past 3 Years
2007
2008
2009
Reading 53 66 47
Writing 57 56
Math 51 39

10. Differences Between a Classroom Assessment and EQAO Assessment
assessment for learning
based on where the student is with respect to the Ontario Curriculum expectations
a variety of accommodations based on student needs - greater teacher support
a variety of tools, strategies, approaches and formats
EQAO Assessment
assessment of learning
based on the Grade 6 Ontario Curriculum expectations
prescribed timed tasks
limited accommodations based on EQAO criteria
written responses only
independent demonstration
Discuss the difference between assessment for learning and assessment of learning
-struggling students with IEPs
-if student needs extra time, or directions read orally…these students need to be supported
-must indicate if the student has an IEP to receive support
-support for students would have difficulty with writing on demand…but given the right support…these students will succeed

11. Classroom Supports
Encouraging students to use assistive technology and manipulatives if needed
Using previous EQAO Student exemplars as examples and learning tools in the classroom
Sharing and deconstructing the EQAO terms with the students
Provide opportunities for students to practise answering multiple-choice questions and develop strategies such as eliminating answer choices.
Learning Goals and Success Criteria in all classrooms

12. Classroom Supports Reading-
Critical Learning Pathways which test the learning of reading strategies throughout the year
-Main Idea
Inferencing
Point of View
Modeled Reading, Guided Reading and Independent Reading
Reading a Variety of Texts
Direct teaching of skills- such as finding supportive evidence from a text and making relevant connections

13. Classroom Supports Writing-
Teaching the Students to use the writing process
Giving feedback for improvement during process
Modeled Writing, Guided Writing and Independent Writing
Exposure to a variety of forms and their respective conventions
Exploring possible form, purpose and audience for each writing activity
Direct teaching of skills, such as conventions and revising
Inclusion of real-life writing tasks

14. Classroom Supports Mathematics-
Providing students with opportunities to compare mathematical concepts to enhance their understanding
Have students provide a variety of ways to justify their answers
Provide opportunities for students to construct and deconstruct concepts
Instruct students to make drawings when appropriate as part of their problem-solving process
Continue to model appropriate problem-solving strategies
Use of manipulatives to help with understanding

15. How can I support my child in writing the test?
Let your child know that the assessment is important to you
The best way to support your child in writing the test is by supporting his or her success at school throughout the year.
Encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions about texts and experiences
Encourage them to clearly explain their ideas and provide examples through conversations
Discuss what your child is learning with them

16. How can I help them in the days before the test?
Ensure they have plenty of sleep
Ensure they have a healthy lunch and a good breakfast
Talk with them about their pre-test feelings
Remind them to be calm and to do their best
Remind them to take their time answering their questions
Remind them to review their work before handing it in

17. Students Need: to express what they know and how they know it;
to investigate and problem-solve;
to use appropriate resources and materials;
to have test-taking skills and strategies;
to have a calm, encouraging environment.
Evidence to support response - text or connections
Share strategies to solve problems daily - multiple solutions for one problem
The one child that gets stuck on a question and inevitably stares at it as though if they stare long enough the answer will appear - move on and come back
Time management

18. Types of EQAO Student Responses
short answers
extended responses
multiple choice
-more multiple choice…students need to know how to answer these kinds of questions
-must give students the skills needed to be successful
-your language of assessment should resemble EQAO language of assessment
-your assessments as a teacher should start to resemble some of the kinds we see on EQAO

19. Students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
Students with IEPs will have access to accommodations for testing depending on their strengths and needs
Your child’s accommodations for the test are located on the bottom of page 2 under the section titled “Accommodations for Standardized Assessments”
Some Accommodations could include:
Use of assistive technology
Quiet setting
Prompts to return student’s attention to task
Verbatim scribing

20. Are EQAO tests based on the material taught in the classroom?
Yes. EQAO tests are based on The Ontario Curriculum,
which details the knowledge and skills that students are expected to develop in each subject at each grade level.

21. Ontario Curriculum Overview
The Achievement Chart from the Ontario Curriculum Documents in Language Art and Mathematics identify four categories of knowledge and skills:
Knowledge and Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
The EQAO test will be looking at these categories in both the way the questions are presented to the students and the assessment practices post-test.

22. Language Arts Assessment- the Curriculum and EQAO
Understanding form and features
Use of processing
skills i.e.: analyzing,
integrating, synthesizing,
evaluating, and forming conclusions
Expression and organization
of ideas and information with effective use of mechanics
Transfer of knowledge and skills and making connections
Knowledge and Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
Give participants a moment to match left column with right. Take it up together. Ask if there are any questions?

23. What is EQAO Looking for in Reading?
higher-order thinking
comprehension of details and main ideas
justification - finding proof
think and search - locating information
drawing conclusions and making inferences
Making relevant connections-text to text, text to self, text to world
developing supported opinions
critical thinking and analysis
understanding author’s intentions
vocabulary and meaningful substitutions
Big Idea and Life Lessons
-find proof: what is the story is about? How do you know? (must justify the answer)
-change the language when asking students the same question
-see thinking skills handout-the 3rs
Junior presenters make connections to CASI assessment and how can CASI used throughout the school year help teachers prepare students for EQAO!

24. EQAO Reading Example Freeze –Up By: Raymond Souster
I wonder at what exact moment
(I wish I’d been there)
Something or someone said
“That’s the very last drop going over.”
And the startled waterfall
suddenly couldn’t budge
And knew it was so.
Question: What conclusions can be made about the speaker in the poem “FREEZE-UP”? Use specific details from the poem and your own ideas to support your answer.

25. What EQAO is Looking for in WRITING
thorough planning;
complexity of ideas;
flow, sequence;
level of detail/description;
sense of audience, voice, purpose, form;
vocabulary, sentence structures;
conventions, paragraphs
Students work should reveal that they worked from an outline or followed a framework or template for a particular form.
Reasoning includes the logical sequence of events and the complexity of ideas. Does the student’s writing make sense? Can the reader follow and identify the writer’s intent?
Does the student’s writing reveal that the student had a clear sense of audience and purpose?
Is the student’s writing organized and are conventions appropriately applied?
Take a moment to reflect: Ask yourself, what do I do as a parent to support my child as they become effective writers?

26. What is being assessed in Writing?
1. Content:
well-developed responses with sufficient clear, specific and relevant ideas and information
Effective organization
response has a thorough relationship to the assigned form, purpose and audience
2. Topic Development:
clear focused, well-developed response with sufficient specific and relevant ideas and supporting details
logical and coherent organization of writing with effective links between ideas
Response has a thorough relationship between the form, purpose and audience
3. Conventions:
grammar, usage, spelling and punctuation

27. Writing Question Examples
STORY WRITING
“One day my friends and I went on a walk.” Write a story describing your adventure.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Write an announcement that you would read at a school assembly to convince everyone in your school that recycling is important.
DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPHS
You have been named principal for the day. Describe what you would do during your day as the principal.

28. What EQAO is Looking for in MATH
Justify answers using logical reasoning
Communication through pictures, numbers and words
Apply learned knowledge to solve multi-step problems
Demonstrate understanding in a variety of forms

29. Example Mathematics Question
Carmen wants to install a fence. Each section of fence is 2.4 metres long and costs $6.00 per metre.
Carmen will need 16 sections of fence. How much change should he receive from $250?

30. Example Mathematics Question
Keenan places 3 green marbles, 4 yellow marbles and 1 blue marble in a bag.
Keenan then adds 1 green marble and 1 yellow marble to the bag.
Does the probability that Keenan will randomly choose a yellow marble increase, decrease or stay the
same?
Circle one: Increases Decreases Stays the same
Justify (explain with evidence) your answer below.

31. Where can I get more information?
Education Quality and Accountability Office
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1200, Toronto ON M5B 2M9
Telephone:
Web site:

32. The information was found on the EQAO website.
References:
The information was found on the EQAO website.
“6 Questions to Ask When Looking at Your School’s Results.” Education Quality and Accountability Office website-Parents. March 23,2010
“A Parent’s Guide to EQAO Tests.” Education Quality and Accountability Office website-Parents. March
“Questions and Answers for Parents.” Education Quality and Accountability Office website-Parents. March 23, 2010
“Rubrics.” Education Quality and Accountability Office website-Educators. March 23, 2010
“CR Marchant EQAO Results.” Education Quality and Accountability Office website-Board and School Results. . March 23, 2010