1. The O.E.R.

2. Rules for OERs KEEP IT IN THE BOX!!!You can only write inside the box. Anything you write outside the box WILL NOT be scored by the scorers. Before you read the story. Read the OER questions. That way you know what you are looking for. Write the question within the notes of the story so you can keep the question in your mind and highlight any information that may help you write your answer. Choose a side you can support the best with evidence from the text. Even if you don’t believe it; choose a response you can defend.) On the STAAR exam you will have 3 OERs. One about each story and one comparing the two stories in some way.

3. Don’t forget RESPONSE! RREAD EEVERYTHING. SSPECIFIC PPART. OORGANIZE R READ the question. E Read EVERYTHING. S Highlight SPECIFIC key words. P Answer each PART. O Quickly ORGANIZE your thoughts. NNOTE SSUPPORT EEDIT N Make a NOTE of key words to use S SUPPORT your answer with facts. E EDIT and revise your answer.

4. READ READ READ the question quickly. Then re-read looking for specifics to help you construct your answer.

5. EVERYTHING EVERYTHING Read EVERYTHING you are given before starting to answer. Don’t just look at the question. Read any introductory statements, charts, diagrams, maps, reading passages, and/or any background information you are given.

6. SPECIFIC SPECIFIC Highlight SPECIFIC key words and ideas in the question. Circle or underline the “direction word” or “verb” in the question. Make sure you know what you are to do.

7. PART PART Make sure you answer each PART of the question. Look for signals such as A and B or the word “and”. Put a number beside each part to check off later.

8. ORGANIZE ORGANIZE Quickly ORGANIZE your thoughts to answer the question. The provided space should be sufficient for even a level three response. There is no need to write a complete rough draft or end with a conclusion. Each question is designed to be answered in 15 minutes or less.

9. NOTE Make a NOTE of any key words or ideas you want to include. Use specific terms when appropriate that show that you know the subject matter. Think like a scorer: what will that person expect you to know and say.

10. SUPPORT SUPPORT your answer with facts, figures, statements from what is given, or previous information you have. Show any problem-solving steps you take such as calculations, charts, and graphs. Make sure you also explain in correct terms what you have done.

11. EDIT EDIT and revise your answer. Even though spelling and punctuation are not scored, you must make sure the scorers can understand what you mean. If they don’t understand, they can’t give you credit. Finally, don’t leave out any questions!

12. Think about the Graders Graders already know: the plot what the questions ask the obvious “fluff” how to see through weak generalizations Graders want to know: if you understand the deeper meaning if you can answer the question and support it if you can analyze and get the deeper meaning and compare underlying ideas Be specific. Give examples from the text. Draw out deeper meaning with well supported examples from the text. QUOTE!

13. Points to remember … OERs have to have all the parts for a score of 3. Do not write a concluding sentence in an OER. Don’t try to cover too many ideas or too many points. Use pronouns like he and she, in the story, the author, etc. Otherwise you’re wasting space. State your answer as a fact – leave out things like “In my opinion” or “I think” or “I believe” or “I feel”. Use long quotes sparingly. Use quotes as evidence, not “fluff”. Your quotes must make sense. Introduce them in such a way that the reader knows why they are there. Do not refer to your quote as a quote. Do not say, “As this quote shows …”.

14. Transitions for textual evidence: For example, For instance, To illustrate, In one example, In one case, In fact, As proof, Such as, To begin with, First,

15. Transitions for analysis: - This proves that- For this reason - This means that- This shows that - As a result- Consequently - Therefore- Thus - Due to- For this reason - So- This entails - This implies- This displays - This demonstrates- This conveys - This reflects

16. AAnswer the question by restating it. Q Quote the text. EExplain how the quote proves your answer. AQE

17. AAnswer the question by restating it. Cinderella lost her shoe because she was in a hurry. Why did Cinderella lose her shoe?

18. QQuote the text. T he fairy godmother explained, “You must be home by midnight or your clothes will turn into rags.”

19. Why did Cinderella lose her shoe? E Explain the quotation Thus, Cinderella left the ball in a hurry, so the prince would not see her for who she really is. This caused her to lose her shoe in the process.

20. Why did Cinderella lose her shoe? Cinderella loses her shoe at the ball because she is in a hurry. The fairy godmother explained, “You must be home by midnight or your clothes will turn into rags.” Thus, Cinderella left the ball in a hurry, so the prince would not see her for who she really is. This caused her to lose her shoe in the process.