Preparing for the OSSLT – Ontario Secondary School Literacy TestTest Date: March 26

2015

Today’s Goals

We Want To Make Sure You

Know…

What the OSSLT is When the OSSLT is Where the OSSLT is Why the OSSLT is

important Items to bring What happens after you

write Tips for success

1. What is the OSSLT?

The OSSLT is a standardized, provincial test assessing reading and writing skills required to understand reading selections and to communicate through a variety of written forms as expected in the Ontario Curriculum across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Really, you’ve been preparing since Grade 7.

Test at a GlanceActivity Allotted Time

Booklet 1(Reading and

Writing)75 minutes

Break 15 minutes

Booklet 2(Reading and

Writing)75 minutes

Questionnaire(Booklet 2)

10 minutes

2. When is the OSSLT?

OThis Thursday March 26th, 2015

OArrive by 8:10am (Test @ 8:30)

OOnly students writing the test attend school this day

Test Day Schedule8:25 am Students proceed to test rooms

8:30 amStudents admitted to test rooms +

instructions are read

8:35 – 9:50 am Booklet 1 of the OSSLT

9:50 - 10:05 am Break (light refreshments provided)

10:05 – 11:20 am

Booklet 2 of the OSSLT

11:20 – 11:30 am  Time for questionnaire

11:30 am Dismissal (added time for

accommodations)

3. Where is the OSSLT?

OHere at Applewood Heights

OYour Room Location has been posted outside the main office

4. Why So Important?

OMandatory requirement for successful completion of your Ontario High School Diploma

5. What Should You Bring?

OBlue or Black PenOPencilsOHighlighter OBottled Water

Do NOT Bring: Bags or PEDs to room

After You Write…

• Marked at a central location

• Results will be released in June 2015 - each student will receive EQAO’s individual student report

• Does not count towards a grade in any course

• If unsuccessful, there is an opportunity to write in 2016 OR take the OLC Course

Some Test Components Include:

O Informational texts that would be found in a Business, History, Physical Education, Arts, or Social Sciences Class (used to gain knowledge or facts)

O Narrative (dialogue) readings, such as would be found in an English Class (like fictional piece)

O Graphical texts, such as would be found in a Science, Math, Geography, or Technology Class (like charts, cycles, graphs, maps, blueprints)

O Series of Paragraphs asking you to develop an opinion

O News Report asking you to develop details on an event

O Short Answer responses (to either a reading or about an open topic)

READINGTASKS

WRITINGTASKS

Reading & Writing Target Skills

Target Reading Skills Target Writing Skills

• R1: Understanding explicit stated information and ideas

• W1: Developing a main idea with sufficient supporting details

• R2: Understanding implicitly stated information and ideas

• W2: Organizing information and ideas in a coherent manner

• R3: Making connections between information and ideas in a reading selection and personal experiences

• W3: Using conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) in a manner that does not distract from clear communication

Follow instructions exactly as given for all sections

Read each question carefully and be sure to answer precisely what it is asking of you (e.g. look for key test words)

Use “Rough Notes” space to plan answers (this is not marked)

Start with the long answer sections and work your way back to the multiple choice if short for time

General Tips for Success:

Write your final answers ONLY in the space provided

Be sure to use most or all the lines provided but DO NOT go beyond

Do not leave any questions blank; if in doubt, guess

Proofread

Tips Cont’d

Reading TipsORead the questions for the reading

first

OSkim the selection once over

OUnderline or highlight important information and ideas while you read

OAfter reading, mentally summarize the main point(s); re-read 1st and last sentences

3 Styles of Reading Questions

1. Immediate

2. Inference

3. In Your Opinion

Questions that can be answered quickly from a direct part of the reading

Questions that challenge reader to look in two or more places (including background knowledge) for the answer and then make an intelligent conclusionQuestions that require reader to use his or her own background knowledge + the reading to give a personal response

#1 - Multiple Choice

They will ask you multiple choice based on:

OReadingsODiagrams/InfographicsOGrammar

Multiple Choice Read the question carefully

Look for clarifying words that help support the best answer (e.g. always, never, least, none, best, all, usually, most…)

Read through ALL the options before selecting one

Cross out any answers that are obviously wrong

If two answers seem correct, select the BEST option

# 2 - Short Answer

There will be 2 types of short answer questions on the test:

OShort Answers Based on Readings

OShort Answers Based on Opinions

Short Answer Fill up the lines provided

Do NOT write beyond the lines provided

1st sentence is the topic sentence that specifically answers the question (Hint: put part of the question in it)

Provide 1-2 details, supports, or examples (either from the reading or your own life if it is an opinion question)

# 3 – News Report

There will be 1 News Report piece. They will provide you with the:

OPictureOHeadline

News Report

Paragraph 1: provide a brief overview of what has happened – be sure to include WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY & HOW

Paragraphs 2-3: give the reader more details – quotes from bystanders, other times this event has happened, how community is responding etc.

Paragraph 4: provide summary and include what might happen in the future or how reader can get involved or get more info

Example

OWho?OWhat?OWhere?OWhen?OWhy?OHow?

Example

OWho?OWhat?OWhere?OWhen?OWhy?OHow?

# 4 – Series of Paragraphs

There will be a 3-5 paragraph essay (aka series of paragraphs) that will ask you to write about…

OYour opinion on a relevant topic

Examples

O Are cell phones necessary in teenagers’ lives?

O Is participation in extra curricular activities an important part of high school life?

O Should Physical Education be compulsory every year in high school?

O Are today’s famous people good role models for young people?

Series of Paragraphs

Choose ONE side to support (either you agree or disagree, or are yes or no) This will be the thesis in the intro paragraph. You cannot be “maybe” or argue for both sides of the debate.

Come up with 2-3 supports for your opinion (with specific examples). Write these in the “Rough Notes”. These will form the basis of your body paragraphs.

Series of Paragraphs

Your first sentence should clearly answer the question. E.g. Yes, I believe zoos should exist BECAUSE…

Indent new paragraphs so ideas are organized obviously for your reader.

Use transition words like First, Next, Also, Last…

Series of Paragraphs

Wrap up your ideas with a short conclusion paragraph that restates your main point and restates the supports you mentioned.

Use ALL (or nearly all) the space provided, but do NOT exceed it.

Final RemindersO Be on time (set an alarm)O Eat a good breakfast O Know your room locationO If late, report to the office

– no additional time provided

O Snack available during break

O You must go home at the conclusion of the test

O No bringing PEDs or bags

Good Luck! O If you’d like more practice opportunities

with past test booklets, check out:

http://www.eqao.com/students/secondary/10/10.aspx?Lang=E&gr=10