1. AzMERIT
Overview

2. The AzMERIT what?? AzMERIT is the new AIMS type test
Still Writing and Reading sections (and math-but you don’t want me teaching you that)
Writing (1 part)
Reading (2 parts)
“Multiple Choice” questions could have one correct answer or more than one correct answer.

3. 2016 Testing Schedule ELA Writing: Tuesday, March 29
ELA Reading: Wednesday, March 30 
Math: Tuesday, April 5

4. Writing Test Information
AzMERIT
Writing Test Information

5. Writing Test April 14th
AzMERIT format  You will only be able to use 3 papers-no more.

6. Writing Guides for English Language Arts (ELA) from AzMERIT
Each writing test will have one or more passages that relate to a prompt. Students will create a written response to the prompt.
Scratch paper is permitted on writing tests in order for students to compose a rough draft prior to formulating a “final” copy in the paper booklet or in the word processing area on the computer.
You are permitted to use a thesaurus/dictionary; however, you will need to bring your own. We have a limited supply in each testing room.

7. Two possible types of essays…
Informative‐Explanatory Essay
Argumentative Essay
Guess what? The writing part is basically a Writing on Demand!
You will get sources
Use those sources as the evidence/quotes for your essay
Evidence MUST be attributed, but not necessarily parenthetically (you may not have a page number available)
According to The New York Times…

8. General Argument Rubric for AzMERIT
The highest score is a 10
Statement of Purpose/Focus and Organization
1-4
Evidence and Elaboration
Conventions and Editing
1-2

9. Rubrics for Both Types

12. AZ Merit Essay Prompt Practice

13. Know your prompt!
The AZMerit test prompt will either be informational explanatory, or argumentative. You will have to read the prompt and determine which type of essay you will be writing.
Informative Explanatory: Writing that communicates information to the reader to share knowledge or to convey messages, instructions, and ideas. Common words and phrases to look for in the prompt that indicate an explanatory essay: explain, interpret, clarify, evaluate, inform, report, examine, define, identify, compare/contrast, cause/effect, demonstrate, summarize, or assess.
Argument: Writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence. The writer will establish a position on the topic in a concise manner and argue the position taken. Common words and phrases to look for in the prompt that indicate an argument essay: argue, persuade, convince, decide which, justify, or criticize.

14. Write an essay for your local newspaper regarding whether students aged should be required two serve at least two years in the Armed Services. Your essay must be based on the ideas, concepts, and information that can be determined through analysis of the “Should Service in the Armed Forces Be Required?” passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• include a claim;
• address counterclaims;
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 1

15. Write an essay for your school newspaper arguing whether playing video games significantly affects physical health. Your essay must be based on the ideas, concepts, and information that can be determined through analysis of the “Do video Games have a Major Effect on Players’ Physical Health?” passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• include a claim;
• address counterclaims;
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 2

16. Write an explanatory essay to inform fellow citizens about the advantages of limiting car usage. Your essay must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 3

17. Write a letter to your state senator in which you argue in favor of keeping the Electoral College or changing to election by popular vote for the president of the United States.
Use the information from the texts in your essay.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• include a claim;
• address counterclaims;
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 4

18. You have been asked to write an informational article on Machu Picchu for a website that focuses on travel to places of historical interest. Write an article that explains to tourists the significance of Machu Picchu as a travel destination. Your article must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the “Machu Picchu” passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 5

19. You have been asked to write an argumentative essay for your school’s blog in which you support or oppose the use of an artist’s music in advertising. Use the information from the “Should Musicians Change Their Tune?” passage set in your essay.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• include a claim;
• address counterclaims;
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 6

20. The A,B,C Method of Dissecting Prompts
The A,B,C method is a way for you to ensure you understand what the prompt is asking you to do and plan your writing before you actually start writing the essay.
A – Attack the prompt
B – Brainstorm possible answers
C – Choose the order of your response

21. A Attack the Prompt (1 to 2 minutes)
Circle any word that asks you to do something (your verbs)
Draw an arrow from each circled word to specifically what it asks you to do
Under the prompt, rewrite the circled words (in order) and next to each word, rewrite what it asks you to

22. B Brainstorm Possible Answers (3 - 5 minutes)
Make a list
Write questions
Draw a bubble map/concept web
I know you want to skip this part…but DON’T. It will help you come up with ideas, organize your thoughts, and choose the best support.

23. C Create an outline (3 - 5 minutes)
Determine what ideas you will include from your brainstorming.
Write a working thesis
Outline your ideas

24. Write an essay for your local newspaper regarding whether students aged should be required two serve at least two years in the Armed Services. Your essay must be based on the ideas, concepts, and information that can be determined through analysis of the “Should Service in the Armed Forces Be Required?” passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• include a claim;
• address counterclaims;
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 1

25. Write an essay for your school newspaper arguing whether playing video games significantly affects physical health. Your essay must be based on the ideas, concepts, and information that can be determined through analysis of the “Do video Games have a Major Effect on Players’ Physical Health?” passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• include a claim;
• address counterclaims;
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 2

26. Write an explanatory essay to inform fellow citizens about the advantages of limiting car usage. Your essay must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 3

27. Write a letter to your state senator in which you argue in favor of keeping the Electoral College or changing to election by popular vote for the president of the United States.
Use the information from the texts in your essay.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• include a claim;
• address counterclaims;
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 4

28. You have been asked to write an informational article on Machu Picchu for a website that focuses on travel to places of historical interest. Write an article that explains to tourists the significance of Machu Picchu as a travel destination. Your article must be based on ideas and information that can be found in the “Machu Picchu” passage set.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 5

29. You have been asked to write an argumentative essay for your school’s blog in which you support or oppose the use of an artist’s music in advertising. Use the information from the “Should Musicians Change Their Tune?” passage set in your essay.
Manage your time carefully so that you can
• read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to
• include a claim;
• address counterclaims;
• use evidence from multiple sources; and
• avoid overly relying on one source.
Your response should be in the form of a multiparagraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.
Prompt 6

30. Thesis Statement Throw-down!

31. Rules:
For each prompt that we have dissected through the A,B,C method, choose the best thesis statement from your group. You can make your thesis two-pronged, three-pronged, or no-pronged…just make sure it addresses the prompt.
As each prompt is given, you will be given 3 minutes to determine the best thesis and post it on padlet.com.
We will determine the best thesis statement together; the overall winning group will get a prize

32. Reading Test Information
AzMERIT
Reading Test Information

33. Reading Test Questions
The AzMERIT test has different names for the different types of questions. Here’s what they are, and what you have to do to answer them.

34. Reading Test Question Types
Multiple Choice Question
Pick the best answer
Evidence-Based Selected Response (2 part question)
The letter answer
The sentence that proves the above letter answer is correct
Hot Text
Select sentences
Two-Part Hot Text (2 part question)
Natural Language
Write in your own short answer

35. Reading Test Question Types cont.
Multi Select
Choose multiple correct answers
Grid Diagram
Place the correct answer within the diagram
Draggable Hot Text
Identified four sentences in order to complete a summary of the passage.
Editing Task
Possibly write your own answer

36. Example of a multi-answer question:

37. How will you know if it’s one or more?
Read the question.

38. AzMERIT Reading Test
A sample test