1. SBAC PREPARATION 8th Grade ELA
Building SBAC Test-Taking Strategies – Slides for Use with 8th Grade ELA SBAC Practice Test 1

2. Information for Teachers
Begin by administering SBAC Practice Test 1 to evaluate your students’ current level of SBAC readiness.
SBAC Practice Test 1 is available on Socrative if you choose to administer it digitally. The share codes are and
The test is also available on wingsofthebyrd.weebly.com > Teacher Tools > 8th Grade SBAC Practice Test 1 to view and download in a Word document if you choose to administer it in paper form.
To administer the test, you will need the TedEd video “How Fiction Can Change Reality” AND two Springboard texts: Excerpt from “The Life of Benjamin Franklin” AND “Where I Find My Heroes”. The video is accessible via TedEd at the following address: The texts are available to view and download at wingsofthebyrd.weebly.com.
Next, use this presentation to teach SBAC test-taking strategies.
You will need access to the video and texts to model the strategies with your students.
Finally, retest your students with SBAC Practice Test 1 to evaluate your students’ progress.
Evidence collected throughout the pre-test, teaching and post-test process supports NEPF Instructional Standard 5: Indicators 1 – 4 and Professional Responsibility Standard 1: Indicator 2, Standard 2: Indicator 1, and Standard 3: Indicator 3.
For more information about how this practice test supports these standards, please view and / or download the accompanying lesson plan at wingsofthebyrd.weebly.com > Teacher Tools > 8th Grade SBAC Practice Test 1.
If you have questions about any of these steps, contact Amanda Byrd –

3. DO NOW Enter silently and find your seat.
Objective: 1. Students will understand differences between the CRT and the SBAC. 2. Students will understand, identify and analyze SBAC question types. 3. Students will learn strategies to succeed on the SBAC. 4. Students will practice strategies to succeed on the SBAC.
DO NOW
Enter silently and find your seat.
Write down our objective and answer our warm-up question: “How does today’s objective connect with what we have already been learning?”
Think about: What am I learning? Why am I learning it? How will I know if I learned it or not?

4. How is the SBAC different from the CRT?
The SBAC has different types of questions that may seem challenging and difficult because you aren’t used to answering those types of questions on a test.
Three types of questions that are different:
Multiple Response Questions – Instead of choosing just one answer, you might have to choose two or more.
Technology-Enhanced Questions – Instead of picking multiple choices answers or writing a constructed response, you might have to do things that seem unusual on a test – like highlighting a text to find evidence.
Performance Tasks – Instead of reading one story and answering one question, you might have to look at lots of different sources and different types of sources, like videos, audio and texts, and then answer more than one question about them.

5. Multiple Response Questions What’s the difference between a single response question and a multiple response question?
On single response questions, you only have to pick one answer. Here’s an example of a single response question from our practice test: Read the quote from "The Life of Benjamin Franklin" and respond to the question that follows.   to his dying day he never mentioned the name of Plutarch without acknowledging how much pleasure and profit he had derived from that divine old writer. In the context of the passage, what is the most accurate meaning of "pleasure and profit"? A. knowledge and enjoyment / B. skills and information / C. perseverance and peace / D. entertainment and solitude
One multiple response questions, you have to pick more than one answer. Here’s an example of a multiple response question from our practice test: Read the quote from "The Life of Benjamin Franklin" and respond to the question that follows.  But there is reason to fear that Bunyan did no good: for, as it was the reading of the life of Alexander the Great that first set Charles the Twelfth in such a fever to be running over the world killing every body he met; so, in all probability, it was Bunyan's Voyages that fired Ben's fancy with that passion for travelling, which gave his father so much uneasiness.  Which of the following TWO statements accurately describe the comparison made in the text?  A. The text compares Charles the Twelfth's desire to kill with Benjamin's Franklin's desire to travel by inferring that both were inspired by reading.  / B. The text contrasts the experiences of Charles the Twelfth and Benjamin Franklin by stating that reading influenced once of them and did not influence the other.  / C. The text mentions the activities and reading habits of two famous historical figures, but does not draw any comparison between them. / D. The text hypothesizes that both Charles the Twelfth and Benjamin Franklin developed interests based on what they read. 

6. Multiple Response Questions What’s the difference between a single response question and a multiple response question?
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Look at the two questions posted below. Which one is single response and which one is multiple response?
Read the quote from "The Life of Benjamin Franklin" and respond to the question that follows.  But so keen was Ben's appetite for any thing in the shape of a book, that he fell upon it with his usual voracity, and soon devoured every thing in it, especially of the lighter sort.   Which of the following best describes the figurative language used in the quote? A. The author uses vivid adjectives like "keen" and "lighter" to enhance description. B. The author uses metaphorical language relating to food and eating to communicate Franklin's love of reading.   C.  The author employs imagery so that the writing is more realistic and engaging.   D.  The author uses strong verbs like "devoured" to increase the intensity of the writing. 
Which of the following TWO choices best describe the cultural influence of the early novel Pamela? A. Since it challenged traditional ideas, the novel caused a significant amount of controversy when it was released.  B. It featured a serving-class character who was smarter than her upper-class employer, influencing how readers thought about virtue and class.  C. The novel did not cause any controversy because it reinforced popular ideas and traditional thinking.  D. It reinforced traditional ideas about virtue and class through its portrayal of an intelligent and morally superior upper-class man.  E. Most people thought that the story was too unusual and unrealistic, so they did not bother reading it. 

7. Multiple Response Questions Change How You Think
Single response questions might seem easier than multiple response questions BUT that isn’t always the case.
Instead of thinking about multiple response questions as difficult, think of them as different. You need to change how you think.
The steps you need to go through to answer a multiple response question are different.
Some strategies to help:
When you read a question, watch out for words that let you know it is a multiple response question. Spotting these questions fast will help you succeed.
When you read through the answers, remember that MORE THAN ONE IS CORRECT. Try to eliminate answers that you know are wrong FIRST, then go back and decide if the remaining answers are correct.

8. Multiple Response Questions What should I do when I have to answer a multiple response question?
Use READ steps to help you succeed with multiple response questions: Recognize that you are dealing with a multiple response question. Eliminate answers that you are sure are wrong as you read through the answer choices. Assess the remaining choices and think about which ones are a good fit to answer the question. Decide which answer choices are correct.

9. Multiple Response Questions Let’s Try It!
READ STEPS:
RECOGNIZE – The word “two” at the end of the questions let’s us know this is a multiple response question.
ELIMINATE – Answers B and C seem to be wrong. Why?
ASSESS – Answer A and D seem to be correct. Why?
DECIDE – I am going to choose A and D.
QUESTION: Read the quote from "The Life of Benjamin Franklin" and respond to the question that follows.  But there is reason to fear that Bunyan did no good: for, as it was the reading of the life of Alexander the Great that first set Charles the Twelfth in such a fever to be running over the world killing every body he met; so, in all probability, it was Bunyan's Voyages that fired Ben's fancy with that passion for travelling, which gave his father so much uneasiness.  Which of the following TWO statements accurately describe the comparison made in the text?  A. The text compares Charles the Twelfth's desire to kill with Benjamin's Franklin's desire to travel by inferring that both were inspired by reading.  B. The text contrasts the experiences of Charles the Twelfth and Benjamin Franklin by stating that reading influenced once of them and did not influence the other.  C. The text mentions the activities and reading habits of two famous historical figures, but does not draw any comparison between them.  D. The text hypothesizes that both Charles the Twelfth and Benjamin Franklin developed interests based on what they read. 

10. Multiple Response Questions Let’s Try It!
READ STEPS:
RECOGNIZE – The word “two” at the end of the questions let’s us know this is a multiple response question.
ELIMINATE – Answers B and C seem to be wrong. Why?
ASSESS – Answer A and D seem to be correct. Why?
DECIDE – I am going to choose A and D.
Work with your group to use READ to successfully answer a multiple- response question.
Read and discuss the question and write an explanation of your reasoning for each step of READ.
RECONGIZE – Explain how you and your group recognized that this is a multiple response question. What word or words show that this is a multiple response question?
ELIMINATE – Explain how you and your group eliminated some of the answer choices.
ASSESS – Explain how you and your group picked the right answer choices.
DECIDE – Explain how you and your group decided to choose the answers. “I am going to choose ___________ BECAUSE ____________.”

11. Technology-Enhanced Questions What is a technology-enhanced question?
The SBAC is a digital test, so you will be taking it on a computer.
Some of the questions ask you to do tasks that would be impossible on a paper test like the CRT. These types of questions are called “technology-enhanced”.
These types of questions usually ask you to read a text and then look for specific information and evidence. Then you have to click on it to highlight it.

12. Technology-Enhanced Questions Example: This picture shows an example of a technology-enhanced question. The story is on one side and the question on the other side asks you to “select” evidence by scrolling through the story and clicking on the text.

13. Technology-Enhanced Questions What should I do when I have to answer a technology-enhanced question?
Use STEM steps to help you succeed with technology-enhanced questions.
SLOW down and think about the instructions. Make sure you understand exactly what the question is asking you to do and how you need to do it.
TAKE time to scan the text and make your choices.
EVALUATE your choices. Look back at the question and make sure your answers fit with what the question asked you to do.
MAKE sure you followed the instructions to show your answers before you move on. Not all technology-enhanced questions are the same – don’t assume that the instructions are the same.

14. ]Technology-Enhanced Questions Let’s Try It!
EXAMPLE: "The Life of Benjamin Franklin" uses multiple instances of figurative language such hyperbole, metaphor, and simile.  Select three examples of figurative language in the text.  Highlight your examples.
MODEL: Use STEM steps to model the process.

15. Technology-Enhanced Questions Let’s Try It!
In "Where I Find My Heroes", the text argues that "the simple acts of heroism are often overlooked".  Identify three specific examples of "simple acts of heroism" that are used to support this assertion.  Highlight your examples.
Work with your group to answer the question using the STEM steps:
SLOW down and think about the instructions. – Write a paraphrase of the instructions.
TAKE time to scan the text and make your choices. – Explain how you found the examples.
EVALUATE your choices. Look back at the question and make sure your answers fit with what the question asked you to do. – Explain how your answers fit the question.
MAKE sure you followed the instructions to show your answers before you move on. - Explain how you know you followed the instructions.

16. Performance Tasks What’s the difference between a constructed response and a performance task?
When you answer a constructed response question, you usually read one story and answer one question about it.
Performance tasks are different for three reasons:
You may need to look at multiple sources.
Sources may not all be texts – some might be video or audio clips.
You may need to answer multiple questions.

17. Performance Tasks Change How You Think
Performances tasks ask you to think in ways that are more complicated than constructed responses.
Performance tasks can be very challenging BUT if you learn strategies to help you succeed now, the tasks on the SBAC will be manageable. If you get enough practice, they might even seem easy.
When you are faced with a difficult task on a test, the best thing you can do is follow steps that help break down the task and make it easier for your to understand and complete.

18. Performance Tasks What should I do when I have to complete a performance task?
Use LUNGE steps to help you succeed on performance tasks:
Listen to your teacher’s instructions. There are very specific rules about what your teacher can and can’t say during the SBAC, but they will be reading instructions to you for your performance tasks.
Understand the instructions. Ask for a repetition if you need it. Outline your writing and create steps for yourself to break down the task. Performance tasks use language that you might find difficult to read and understand. Find ways to make it simpler.
Notice important details in your sources and make sure you include them in your writing. Incorporating specific details from the sources will make you writing stronger and help you succeed.
Go back to the instructions, the sources, and your notes as often as needed. Ask yourself: How does my writing answer the question or address the prompt? Have I included everything I need?
Edit and revise your work carefully. Check for obvious mistakes in capitalization, punctuation, phrasing and verb tense by rereading your work. Fix your mistakes before you submit.

19. Performance Tasks Let’s Try It!
Item 1: The video “How Fiction Can Change Reality” opens with a quote by the poet Emily Dickinson: “There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away.”  Analyze the quote by responding to the questions below.  Part 1 - What does this quote mean and how does the video build upon and develop this concept?  Part 2 – In the excerpt from “The Life of Benjamin Franklin”, when asked “What description of men most deserves pity?” Franklin replies “a lonesome man in a rainy day who does not know how to read.”  Are there any similarities between Franklin’s response and Dickinson’s statement about books?  Fully develop and support your response with additional evidence from the text and quotations from the video.   
Listen to your teacher’s instructions.
Understand the instructions. Outline your writing and create steps for yourself to break down the task.
Notice important details in your sources and make sure you include them in your writing.
Go back to the instructions, the sources, and your notes as often as needed.
Edit and revise your work carefully.

20. Performance Tasks Let’s Try It!
STEP 1: Listen to your teacher’s instructions.
Let’s practice listening skills!
Listen to the instructions that I read.
Recognize if you understand them or not. Recognize if you need a repetition or not.

21. Performance Tasks Let’s Try It!
STEP 2: Understand the instructions. Outline your writing and create steps for yourself to break down the task.
Item 1: The video “How Fiction Can Change Reality” opens with a quote by the poet Emily Dickinson: “There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away.”  Analyze the quote by responding to the questions below.  Part 1 - What does this quote mean and how does the video build upon and develop this concept? 
MY STEPS:
Paraphrase the quote and use it in my topic sentence.
Look through my video notes and find statements that are related to this quote.
Choose the details from my notes that I will use.
Begin placing details in my paragraph.
Add commentary after each detail.
Write a concluding sentence.

22. Performance Tasks Let’s Try It!
STEP 3: Notice important details in your sources and make sure you include them in your writing.
Performance Tasks Let’s Try It!
Questions to consider: Where are the important details in my video notes? How can I add them to my writing?
My Video Notes:
When we pick up a book we are “carried away on the currents of a story” and “We’re changed”
Researchers and scholars think reading affects how we think and what we do – “Stories shape culture”
Pamela example – changed how people think about class and virtue, challenged traditions
“Teach lessons, shape minds”
Darwin example – intelligence, swiftness, adaptability – hero traits
“Members of a shared quest”
Metaphor – walking in characters’ shoes
Hunger Games example – Think about capitalism differently? Group over individual?
New stories might make us think about things in a new way.

23. Performance Tasks Let’s Try It!
STEP 4: Go back to the instructions, the sources, and your notes as often as needed.
Performance Tasks Let’s Try It!
My Draft:
“There is not frigate like a book to take us lands away” means that reading can take us out of our own reality and help us think about things in new ways. when the video says “we’re changed”, it is referring to the ways that books can change people’s perspectives. There is lots of evidence to support this idea and many researchers and scholars are starting to learn more about it, drawing the conclusion that “stories shape culture”. The video gives examples like the early novel Pamela and Darwin’s theory of evolution to explain how this cultural change can happen. It also includes more Modern examples like The Hunger Games to show how book can lead people to ask questions about their own society by learning about a fictional society. In conclusion, the video states that books can change peoples’ perspectives by taking them “lands away” and gives a variety of examples and types of evidence to support this statement.
Item 1: The video “How Fiction Can Change Reality” opens with a quote by the poet Emily Dickinson: “There is no frigate like a book to take us lands away.” Analyze the quote by responding to the questions below. Part 1 - What does this quote mean and how does the video build upon and develop this concept? Questions to consider: Did I follow the instructions? Did I include everything I need from my notes?

24. Performance Tasks Let’s Try It!
STEP 5: Edit and revise your work carefully.
Performance Tasks Let’s Try It!
My Draft:
“There is not frigate like a book to take us lands away” means that reading can take us out of our own reality and help us think about things in new ways. when the video says “we’re changed”, it is referring to the ways that books can change people’s perspectives. There is lots of evidence to support this idea and many researchers and scholars are starting to learn more about it, drawing the conclusion that “stories shape culture”. The video gives examples like the early novel Pamela and Darwin’s theory of evolution to explain how this cultural change can happen. It also includes more Modern examples like The Hunger Games to show how book can lead people to ask questions about their own society by learning about a fictional society. In conclusion, the video states that books can change peoples’ perspectives by taking them “lands away” and gives a variety of examples and types of evidence to support this statement.
Check the draft for errors. You should be able to find three mistakes that need to be fixed.

25. TOTD What did you learn today? Why did you learn it?
How do you know if you learned it or not?