Reading tasks & Short written task OSSLT Preparation Reading tasks & Short written task

Reading Tasks Information paragraph (225 to 250 words) News report (225 to 250 words) Dialogue (225 to 250 words) Real-life narrative (550 to 600 words) Graphic text (fewer than 150 words) You will have to read and answer questions on 5 different reading selections. Each reading selection will have both multiple choice and short answer questions. There are 2 reading selections in one booklet and 3 in the other.

Reading Strategies

Before Reading: Scan the article first What type of article is it? eg. Informational, narrative, news report… Read the title Examine the picture Ask questions and predict what the article is about

What does the title suggest about the subject? What does the picture suggest about the subject? This is an example of how to Preview or Scan the article… Note that the paragraphs are numbered (small number in the margin) – Some questions will ask about a specific paragraph number Note that this article was published in a local newspaper.

Before Reading: Read the Questions Review the questions before reading the article Highlight or underline important words in the question

This is an example of how to underline important key words and phrases.

During Reading: Read the article carefully. Re-read sections you do not understand Highlight or underline important phrases and words Focus on ‘Big Ideas’ Underline important vocabulary

An example of how to underline key words and phrases in the article

After Reading Reflect on the purpose and main idea of the article Be able to restate the main idea of the article

Multiple Choice Questions Read the question carefully Review the reading, and determine what you think is the answer to the question Choose the most correct answer If you are not sure, eliminate the choices that are wrong, and then make your best guess about the correct answer

There are a various types of questions on the OSSLT There are a various types of questions on the OSSLT. Very few of the multiple choice questions will be “look ‘n find” questions. Most of the questions will require you to look in several places, or make an inference From the OSSLT Study Guide - GREATER ESSEX COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

Vocabulary Questions Reread the sentence the word is in, and even the sentence before and after. Try replacing each of the options for the vocabulary word to see which makes the most sense

Questions about Methods of Organization/Development Examples include: Cause and effect Comparison General to specific Problem and solution Chronological If you are not sure, pay attention to ‘transitional’ words that might indicate the method of development Ask students to explain or give an example of each method of development

Open Response Questions Read the question carefully, and underline the important parts of the question; there are usually two parts to the question. Use this following frame to answer the questions: Respond: answer the question directly Proof: support your response with a direct reference to the article Comment: Explain how the example illustrates your point You are given 6 lines to answer the question. You should fill the space. Pay attention to how many details are required. Some questions will ask for details – Meaning more than 1

Open Response - Summary After reading the selection, try to summarize the main idea of the article in one sentence, using your own words Give one or two important supporting details Do not copy lines from the article or use direct quotations One of the open response questions will ask you to write a summary of the article.

Practice – Read the passage and answer the questions Give students 10-15 minutes to read the passage and answer the questions. Then have students exchange papers with a partner “Romans put a lock on love”

Multiple Choice Answers Have students check their answers. Ask a student who got the question correct to explain why it is the correct answer and how they got it.

Exchange papers with a partner and mark your partner’s response Exchange papers with a partner and mark your partner’s response. Which code would you give them and why?

Note that the question asked for details, so to get full marks (30) you must provide more than one detail

Short Written Response

Answering the Question Plan your response using jot notes or a graphic organizer Use the same “frame” for the open response: Respond: answer the question directly Proof: give an example Comment: Explain

Practice – Short written response Give students 10 minutes to answer the question. Then show the rubric and annotated sample. exchange papers with a partner for feedback.

Review the criteria for a Code 30 – the maximum points available for the short written response

Note that the student provides more that one detail or reason.

References “Getting Ready Guide for Grade 10 Students”. EQAO. http://www.eqao.com/pdf_e/15/getting- ready-guide-osslt-2015.pdf “Grade 9 OSSLT Study Guide”. Greater Essex County School Board “Planning and Preparation Guide: OSSLT” EQAO. http://www.eqao.com/pdf_e/15/planning- preparation-guide-osslt-2015.pdf