ELA Family Night

What we need to know in order to work together to

help your child master the 5th grade ELA Exam

Test date:

Tuesday, May 3, 2011 – Thursday, May 5, 2011 (Three day exam)

Last year’s 5th grade ELA exam compared to last year’s 4th grade

exam…

4th Grade ELA 5th Grade ELA

Day 1 (Reading)3 to 4 passages (literary and informational)20 multiple-choice questions1 short-response question

Day 2 (Listening/Writing)1 listening selection (literary)4 multiple-choice questions2 short-response questions 1 editing paragraph

Day 1 (Reading)4 to 5 passages (literary and informational)28 multiple-choice questions

Day 2 (Listening/Writing)1 listening selection (literary)2 short-response questions1 extended response question

Day 3 (Reading/Writing)2 paired passages (literary and informational)3 short-response questions1 extended response question

This year’s Grade 5 ELA Exam Format:

Book 1: (60 minutes)6-7 passages (literary and informational)

35 multiple choice questions

Book 2: (30 minutes excluding reading listening section aloud)1 listening section (informational)

5 multiple choice questions3 short-response questions

3-5 multiple choice (writing mechanics) questions

Book 3: (60 minutes)2 paired passages

4 short response questions1 extended response question

Total time allotted: 150 minutes

This year’s Grade 5 ELA Exam:Listening Section:

• The listening section for Grade 5 contains informational passages. Informational passages may include articles, excerpts from biographies or autobiographies, essays and other forms of informational writing.

• The listening passages that appear on the tests are similar to the kinds of materials students read and hear in the classroom. Passages are carefully selected for grade level appropriate vocabulary and content.

Reading Section:Students read passages representing a variety of genres. The reading passages

consist of both literary and informational passages.

Writing Section: The writing section of the test will be composed for four short response questions

and one extended response question. Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge of three types of writing: narrative, persuasive and informative.

Students will be required to write from a variety of prompts and for many different audiences. Student responses will be evaluated on how well the writing addresses

the task and demonstrates understanding of the passages.

Types of Questions on the ELA exam

Multiple Choice Questions:Test reading comprehension

and reasoning skillsCount significantly in overall

scoreRequire students to read for

meaning and refer back to the passage

Types of Questions on the ELA exam

Constructed Response Questions:

Ask a specific question about part of the passage

Sometimes are in the form of a graphic organizer

Sometimes are in the form of a short paragraph

Key is to use specific evidence from the text

Types of Questions on the ELA exam

Extended Response Question:Students will be required to

read two paired passages (one literary and one informational that is usually on the same topic).

Students will then use the information from both passages in order to answer an extended response in essay format.

Types of Questions on the ELA exam

Extended Response Question:Students will be required to

read two paired passages (one literary and one informational that is usually on the same topic).

Students will then use the information from both passages in order to answer an extended response in essay format.

Types of Questions on the ELA exam

Multiple Choice Writing Mechanics Questions:

These questions will assess students’ knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and word usage.

Example: Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

In the sunshine, the wings of a butterfly _____________ like jewels.

a. glowb. glowsc. is glowingd. has glowed

Helpful reading test strategies:

The answer is always in the text!! Read the directions or introduction. (For example: If the directions,

captions say “Read the article below” you can infer that the passage will be a Non-fiction piece.)

Read the passage carefully! Read each question carefully and figure out what its asking you

(what kind of question is it?) Read through all choices carefully. Go back to the text and find the part that you need. (Underline the

proof for your answer in the text) Read through answer choices and eliminate obvious wrong

answers (ones that have nothing to do with the text). Choose the best answer, based on the text.

Always reread and double check if there’s time.

For questions containing:

Unknown vocabulary- Read sentences before and after the word. The meaning must fit in the text.

Sequence of events- Go to the text, and find the events. Number them clearly so that you can see the order.

Ways to Help Your Child at Home

Read aloud with your child, alternating paragraphs. This helps motivate your child to complete assignments and helps you to monitor progress in reading.

Help your child get started on a writing assignment by asking relevant questions. This helps the child internalize the questions writers ask themselves when composing a piece.

Read with your child. Ask:

What is the story/article about? How would you describe the main character? How did this character change your ideas? What caused this event to happen? What’s going to happen next?

Some Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking Activities:

When watching a television commercial, ask your child to separate fact from fiction. Have your child explain information from a cartoon or a newspaper or magazine

article. Leave messages around the house and have your child write back.

The ELA Suitcase: Skills and types of questions that students should be familiar with

Type of Question What is it asking me?

Main Idea What is this mostly about? What is the most important idea?

Theme What’s the lesson? What is the author trying to tell me?

Specific Details To find something directly in the text

Vocabulary To use context clues (the story) to figure out a meaning

Character Details To find a detail right in the text about a character. To determine what the character is like.

Author’s Point of View What kind of writing is this? (Genre) What is the author’s purpose or point? Who’s the audience?

Prediction/Conclusion Based on what I’ve read SO FAR, what might happen next?

Setting Where and when does this take place? (place, time, season, etc.)

Plot What is the main problem? What is happening in the story?

Sequence What happened before? What happened after? What order did events occur in?

Genre Characteristics Fiction

FANTASY: contains elements that are not realistic o talking animals o magical powers o often set in a medieval universe o possibly involving mythical beings

FOLKTALES:  • feature common folks, such as peasants, and commonplace events.   • may have some "make-believe" elements, like talking animals, but the stories can sometimes sound realistic.  • usually explain things about life, nature, etc.

FAIRY TALES: • Also called "magic stories," • filled with dreamlike possibility. • feature magical and enchanted forces.  • usually have a "happily ever after" ending, where good is rewarded and evil is punished.

FABLES:  • Short stories with a moral at the end• usually teach lessons about life. 

LEGENDS:  • based in history• usually tell about the life of a real person.

MYTHS:  • contain common themes and characters, often "gods."  • usually explain the beginning of the world, natural phenomena, the relationships between the gods and humans, and the

origins of civilization. • Myths, like legends, are stories told as though they were true.

HISTORICAL FICTION: • stories centered around the basis of a partially historical situation • a novel set in a historical period

Genre CharacteristicsMYSTERY: • a story involving:

o solving a puzzling event or situation o something unknown o solving a crimeo centered around a person who investigates wrongdoing

REALISTIC FICTION: • stories that take place in modern times • characters are involved in events that could happen.

SCIENCE FICTION: • stories that often tell about science and technology of the future • Settings:

o in the future o in space o on a different world o in a different universe

POETRY:• Introduce us to rhythm, rhyme, and literary devices such as:

o simile- comparing something using like or aso metaphor- comparing something saying it IS it. Ex: Your eyes are shining stars. o personification- giving a non living thing, human like qualities o hyperbole- an exaggeration

Non Fiction

NON-FICTION texts are informational:• Help readers learn about real- life things• Provide readers with information• “Articles” are Non fiction

BIOGRAPHIES: About the life of a person written by another person

AUTOBIOGRAPHIES: About the life of a person, written by that person