4/9/2007Wiethorn1 ~TAKS WARS 2007~ Strategies for Taking the TAKS test! “Use the Force Luke, Use the Force!”

4/9/2007Wiethorn2 Twas the Night Before Testing! Put a few number 2 pencils in backpack! Solve any family/friend problems before test date! Talk to parents/teachers about concerns BEFORE test date! GO TO BED EARLY!

4/9/2007Wiethorn3 The Morning of TAKS Testing The Morning of TAKS Testing EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST! THINK OF WHAT YOU WILL DO TO RELAX WHEN YOU GET HOME! THINK OF WHAT YOU WILL DO TO RELAX WHEN YOU GET HOME! ARRIVE ON TIME WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE!

LEAVE AT HOME OR IN LOCKER… Cell phones Electronic Devices Video Games IF YOU FORGET, TURN IT INTO YOUR TEACHER FOR NO PENALTY THAT DAY ONLY!!!

4/9/2007 Wiethorn 5 And Now…Time To ATTACK THE TAKS!

4/9/2007Wiethorn6 KEY WORDS TO KNOW! Tone – a particular quality, way of sounding, or intonation of the voice expressing some meaning, feeling, spirit, etc. EXAMPLE: the tone of the story. Theme - A central idea in a piece of writing Critical – Very important; involving skillful judgment Summary - a brief statement that presents the main points Main Idea - what all the sentences are about

4/9/2007Wiethorn7 1 st person point-of-view - writing from the "I" point of view Reflects a sense of - To express carefully considered thoughts: In the essay, he reflects on his career Unrealistic because – not believable or real Narrator’s - Person who tells story A symbol of - a thing that is regarded as representing or standing for another Example: The dove is the symbol of peace. Prior to – before Represents - To present clearly to the mind Concludes - To reach a decision or form an opinion about (also infer)

4/9/2007Wiethorn8 READING PASSAGES Read the questions FIRST to help you know what you are looking for as you read Read the questions FIRST to help you know what you are looking for as you read Read selection at least 2 times Read selection at least 2 times Be careful of tricky sequencing (order of events) questions. They are not always at the logical place in the story you might think! Be careful of tricky sequencing (order of events) questions. They are not always at the logical place in the story you might think! Look for clues in other questions Look for clues in other questions Read the question and ALL answer choices BEFORE you make a decision Read the question and ALL answer choices BEFORE you make a decision Use a highlighter and write yourself notes in area provided on test Use a highlighter and write yourself notes in area provided on test

4/9/2007Wiethorn9 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS TTry to answer every question DDo not change your answers unless you are very uncertain about your first answer choice (First hunch is usually the right one!) UUse the process of elimination to help narrow your answer choice DDon’t spend too much time on one question. Go back when you finish the test section to work on the question(s) that you don’t know DDon’t be afraid to make an EDUCATED GUESS! IIf the choices include All of the Above or None of the Above – check all choices carefully!

4/9/2007Wiethorn10 Mathematics Use area in test booklet to work on problems Use area in test booklet to work on problems Make sure you copy the problem correctly when working it out Make sure you copy the problem correctly when working it out Line up place values correctly Line up place values correctly If your answer doesn’t match one of the choices, re-read the problem, re-copy the numbers and TRY AGAIN! If your answer doesn’t match one of the choices, re-read the problem, re-copy the numbers and TRY AGAIN!

Wiethorn 11 4/9/2007 ~FINAL TIPS~ Fill in bubbles completely and neatly! Erase stray marks. Fill in bubbles completely and neatly! Erase stray marks. It is o.k. NOT to know everything! Do your best and don’t sweat the rest! It is o.k. NOT to know everything! Do your best and don’t sweat the rest! Double check the test number in your test booklet against the answer sheet every few questions to make sure you aren’t on the wrong number !

4/9/2007Wiethorn12

And so, let the TAKS WARS 2007 begin and remember… “Use the FORCE Midway! Use the FORCE!”

And so, let the TAKS WARS 2007 begin and remember… “Use the FORCE Midway! Use the FORCE!”

GOOD LUCK MIDWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS! Your teachers are proud of all the hard work you have put forth this year! MAKE YOURSELF PROUD!

Credits: Star Wars Picture: Slide 1 – Star Wars Picture: Slide 2 – THE END!!!!