Preparing for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test OSSLT Preparing for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test

Who we are… Mr. Leca Ms. Sanginesi Ms. Bellini Please feel free to come to us with any of your questions with regards to the test!

When will the test be written? Be prepared to write on: Tuesday April 10th

Schedule for the Day Booklet #1: 8:45 – 10:00 am Break (snack): 10:00 – 10:15 am Booklet #2: 10:20 – 11:35 am Questionnaire: 11:35 – 11:45 am

To Bring or Not to Bring… That is the Question Do Bring: Do Not Bring: Pencils X Cell Phone Eraser X Ipod/MP3 player Blue/Black pens X Coloured pens Bottled water X White out Highlighter (optional) X Dictionary

What does the OSSLT look like? Consists of 2 booklets along with a student answer sheet Will be given 75 minutes per booklet At the end of each session, booklets will be sealed and collected A 15 minute break will be given between each 75 minute session.

Types of Reading Will include the following: Information paragraph (i.e. magazines, books, etc.) News Report Dialogue Real-life narrative Graphic text (i.e. maps, graphs, charts & instructions)

Reading Questions Format: Multiple Choice Paragraph response (i.e. short answer) Questions: Directly stated (i.e. summary) Inferencing (i.e. reasoning, using knowledge & evidence) Making connections (i.e. opinion & connecting personal experiences)

Writing The Test will include the following: Two short writing tasks Multiple Choice (focused on writing) Opinion paragraph Organizing ideas Two long writing tasks Sentence structure News report (1 page) Conventions Series of opinion paragraphs (2 pages)

Written Responses When writing your responses, make sure you: Write clearly and on the lines provided Pay close attention to organization, spelling, grammar & punctuation Use the space provided for rough notes (nothing written in this space will be marked)

*IMPORTANT* Make sure to copy multiple choice questions onto the SCANTRON provided Make sure to answer each question fully Make sure your writing is neat. If they can’t read it, it won’t be marked! Nothing offensive can be written on your test & no PICTURES. Principal will be contacted by EQAO

Multiple Choice Questions Record answers on the Student answer sheet provided Make sure to colour in the circle completely Fill only one circle for each question Chose the best or most correct answer according to what the question asks you Read each question SLOWLY and CAREFULLY before answering If you don’t know the answer, always GUESS

Scantron Sheet

*IMPORTANT* Teachers & supervisors cannot answer ANY questions about the test Make sure you have a good night’s sleep before the test Do not CRAM the night before, it will NOT produce good results EAT BREAKFAST DO NOT BE LATE!

On Test Day Eat a healthy & nutritious breakfast. Make sure you have all your materials Think positively! Arrive at school early so you’re not rushing (can cause unnecessary stress). Be here for 8:15am

What Will Help Me Be Successful? These are strategies that you may find useful during your test: Take 2-3 deep breaths to help relax Read the directions carefully & underline, circle, or highlight KEY words Survey the entire test to get a flavour of what you will need to do Budget your time

What Will Help Me Be Successful? Start with an easy question, or a question you know you can answer, rather than following the test in order If you “draw a blank”, repeat the breathing exercise, then move to visualization and positive self talk. Write down anything you remember about the subject on the backside of your test. This can help remind you that you do know something and you are capable of completing the test. Look over the test when you have finished & double- check your answers to be sure you did not forget anything.

Additional Tips Answer all of the questions on the test Budget your time Use all the space provided – feel free to make up (realistic) details to enhance your writing If you are unsure about a question, reread it slowly and try again

Don’t Forget! 1. Check for your assigned classroom tomorrow in the Commons area. 2. On Monday night, pack your: Pencils Eraser Blue/Black pens Bottled water (label removed) Highlighter (optional) 3. Be at school by 8:15 am on Thursday morning!

laaisv Additional Resources If you’re looking for extra help, please attend our lunch prep session April 4th in the Library. Log onto our Google Classroom Code: laaisv

See you all at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Good Luck!! See you all at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday morning.