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Simple ways to ensure that all students are prepared for the
constructed response portion of the MCAII
Constructed Response 101
Give One, Get One for Constructed Response 1. Look at the Give One, Get One template. 2. Write down four things you know ( or
think you know about constructed response).
3. Now get four new ideas from four different people.
4. www.rochester.k12.mn.us
Constructed Response A constructed response question is a
short answer question. Here is an example from the reading test: *Using information from the story, give two reasons explaining why Denise wants to take Sweet Magnolia home with her and two reasons why she changes her mind.
Why Should We Teach Constructed Response? “Writing is a “threshold skill for both
employment and promotion, particularly for salaried employees. Half the responding companies report that they take writing into consideration when hiring professional employees.”
Right Answer Writing, Cole
“ In most cases, writing ability could be your ticket in ….or it could be your ticket out.”
National Commission on Writing 2004, page 5
Why Should We Teach Constructed Response?Across the state, at all grades, and in all
subjects, constructed response was the type of question where students scored significantly lower
Students will probably do much better on MCAII if they understand how to answer constructed response questions effectively
The more students verbalize and demonstrate their thinking, the deeper their learning.
State Results In almost all districts, students perform lower on
constructed response. To find out how your school did with constructed response, consult your principal’s report from the state department.
In Rochester, our constructed response scores are in the fortieth percentile for most grades. This means 60% of our students are not proficient in this area….an opportunity for improvement.
Conferencing with students about their last year’s constructed response score is a great opportunity to have a conversation with them. ( Colleen)
Why do students do so poorly on constructed response?Brainstorm the reasons you think students
perform lower on constructed response. Choose a person at your table to report
your ideas.
MN Department of Education Press Release:The results for 11th grade math indicated
that about 39% of students were proficient. That number was due in part to students leaving nearly 31% of the questions blank where they needed to explain their answer.
Holy Cow! They skip these questions.
Reasons for Low Constructed Response ScoresMany students don’t answer the question. Some responses are very shallow and need
details. Some students get off topic. Spelling and handwriting can affect a student’s
score. Students don’t understand what the question is
asking. Instead of writing about what the passage talked
about , students write about what they know about the topic.
Students don’t think about their audience.
Constructed Response Questionsin ReadingThe state is only looking for evidence that the
student comprehended the text. This means:* a student may use a t-chart, bullets, a summary statement, or a venn diagram to answer the question.* they do not need to write in complete sentences* students may not use prior knowledge about the topic but must use only the text in the reading questions.
* wrong answers are not held against students but only correct answers are counted. Having extra answers can only help your score.
Baseline Assessment Do a baseline assessment with your
students. Read them a fairytale and ask them an open ended question. I have samples available if you are interested.
After you have taught them the process you’ll learn today, reassess and see what they have learned.
This works even for middle and high school students!
6 Steps for Answering a Constructed Response Question1. Re-read the passage at least once, then re-read
the question carefully to decide all the parts it is asking for. Mark the key words in the question. The key words are the verb or verbs, any character names, and key literary terms.
In the story, Jarrod and Bo are always in a hurry. Give three examples of the boys’ impatience using examples from the story.
Teach It!Question Jar: Collect questions and let
students practice marking all the key words or information. Use this when there are just a few minutes left in the hour as a wrap up. Collect questions from other teacher’s tests.
Ask students to practice this on all of their tests in their other classes. Repetition is the key!
Step 2 2. Rewrite the question in your own
words to make sure that you know exactly what is being asked. Then, turn that question into a topic sentence for your answer.
Jarrod and Bo showed their impatience in the following three ways: 1.2.3.
Restating: Useful in the Real World • In real life, people use restating to give
them time to think about the answer and confirm that they have understood what is being asked. ( Better Answers by Cole)
Teach it!Practice restating orally first with personal
questions about your students. What did you do last night when you got home? Last night when I got home from school I….
Let’s try it… What is your favorite movie? What do you and your family do for fun? What is your favorite restaurant?
Teach it! Practice restating some questions that
have to be changed to make sense: Why did the wicked stepmother think Snow
White was still alive? The wicked stepmother thought SnowWhite
was still alive because….
Partner Collaboration Pair students up.
*Read a short fairytale or picture book and hand out a constructed response question. Students take turns restating, marking key words and writing their restatements.
Textbook Hunt• Find a question in your science or social
studies book and practice restating it.
Assessment: Observation During Partner Activity • Did you use most of the words from the
question to begin your answer? • Did you reread your writing? • Does your spelling match the question’s? • Did you use a transition word? Which one? • Did you have to substitute any pronouns or
verbs? Which ones?
Step 3 3. Go back to the passage and collect the
needed information. Make sure you get the relevant details (if the question asks for 3 details, make sure you find 3 details).
Highlight or number this information so you can find it easily as you write your answer.
Teach it! Start with a short passage ( one page) and
a prompt. Use an overhead to model how to highlight or number the information needed.
*Let’s try it. We’ll read Marsupials using a strategy called Cloze Reading. You will fill in the words I leave out.
*Our question is: List three characteristics of the Kangaroo.
MarsupialsA marsupial is a type of mammal. Unlike other mammals, marsupials have pouches. They carry their babies in their pouches. Most of the marsupials in the world live in Australia. Kangaroos are marsupials. They have strong back legs and can jump long distances. Kangaroos have strong tails. Their tail is used for balance. The red kangaroo can grow to be about seven feet tall. They can weigh more than 200 pounds. They move fast. Sometimes, they travel at 40 miles per hour.
Step 4 4. Organize the details into a logical order.
Use a graphic organizer if that helps. See the graphic organizer in your packet. a. You may also want to consider the answer sandwich for younger students. This comes from Better Answers ( Cole) page 23. b. Another great resource is the transition list. Teach your students that transitions make your writing look good and sound smart.
Teach it! Model the graphic organizer using a
familiar tale and a prompt. *Let’s try it. I’ll read Little Red Riding Hood
. Below is our question.*Question: How did Little Red Riding Hood know that the character in the bed was not her grandma? * Now I’ll think aloud how to use the graphic organizer.
Think Aloud for Little Red Riding HoodConstructed Response Resource.doc
Your turnListen to the story of the three bears. Work
with your partner to fill out the graphic organizer. Here is your prompt:
Why were the bears so upset when they got home from their walk?
Step 5 Write your answer neatly.
• Remind students that there are people who will be reading and scoring their answer. The neater they write, the easier it is for the scorers to understand what they are trying to say.
• Tell your students the sloppy paper story. • Indenting and evenly placed beginnings are
small cosmetic improvements that can make a difference.
Spelling Strategies 1. Write it Five Ways.2. Use a Synonym3. Use Hints such as the question and other
text information to help you. 4. Learn the high frequency words.
1. If students learn the first 25 words they will have 33% of their writing correct.
2. If they learn the first 100, they are assured 68% correct.
3. http://estabrook.ci.lexington.ma.us/Curriculum/Sitton/Sitton.html
Step 6 Re-read your answer to be sure you
answered all the parts of the question. * Have students work in pairs and re-read their answer aloud to a partner. This ensures that they actually read it and helps them notice things that don’t sound correct.
Follow the gradual release of responsibility model:I do ( teacher models) Modeling is mandatory
and is the most important part of the writing process. Students need to observe how we think so they emulate the process. Most of what we do is assessment without instruction and modeling!
We do ( let students work in pairs) This provides support and modeling for students who are just learning the process. You may have to build in incentives for both students to be participating. ( I need to see two kinds of handwriting on this).
You do ( students work independently)
Pair Share Talk to your partner about what most
students do when they get a paper back that has been edited by the teacher.
Editing that Works Read the student’s response and place a
check behind each line that has an error. For struggling students limit this to two or three lines.
The student’s job is to go back and fix the errors.
Let students work in pairs when you begin this approach.
Be sure to find two or three positive things that the student did well too.
Use the Better Answer Rubric Minimally Partially Completel
y
Restates question
Simple answer
Detailed evidence
On topic
Draws conclusion
Writes neatly
Resources *Constructed Response Bookmarks : Make
these bookmarks on cardstock and have students use each time they write a response. They could attach this to their work and initial.
*Six Step Process ( Make as a poster to leave up on MCA day).
* Save your own student exemplars and create a collection. Remove names and use next year for your classes.
Let’s Practice 1. Read the MCA practice passage. 2. Now let’s follow the six step process to
answer the prompt.
Scoring Practice Work with a partner to look at the writing
samples and score against the rubric given by the state. Record your score on each of the samples.
Key Questions and How to Answer Them
Terms Meaning Framework
Analyze Separate into its parts
An ordered list framework containing steps
Compare Examine, noting the similarities and differences
Venn Diagram to show differences of each with likeness in the center
Contrast Examine, noting the differences only
T- chart to contrast left to right
Define State a precise meaning
An ordered list
Discuss Present background information with supporting or descriptive details
T chart with important factors on left, details on right
Describe Convey an idea Semantic web, subject in the middle, surrounded by numbered qualities
Evaluate Place judgment, but support using details
T chart listing pros next to cons
Key Questions and How to Answer Them Term Meaning Framework
Explain Make clear, offer reason
T chart listing facts and supportive details
Give/provide Offer facts related to topic
T chart using facts and supportive details
Review Examine major elements again
Outline or list
Use Do the task in a specific manner
Outline or list
Write Usually requires a prompt
Outline or List
Source, Better Answers by Ardith Davis Cole
Key Concepts Word Wall Traits (most students below grade 7 struggle
with this word)Contrast *SupportCompare * Figurative languageQualities *simileEvidence * metaphor SequenceStanzaLineInferPoint of View
Ideas for Teaching These Terms Create a word wall Read the word wall handout and be ready
to play one of these games.
Question Jar Create a question jar and have students
pull a question and discuss how they might answer the question. Which framework would they use?
Let’s try it.
Compare and ContrastHistorically students have scored low on
compare and contrast items. Directly teach this and give them lots of practice. They could compare skittles to m and msSkiing to snowboardingeighth grade to ninth grade
A venn diagram is a great tool for this response.
Social Studies IdeasCompare and Contrast the war in Iraq to
Vietnam. List at least four ways that they are similar and different. List four causes of the Great Depression: Compare two presidents.Include at least one constructed response
question on each test. Model various ways to respond.
Share examples of student work which is exemplary.
Science IdeasCompare and contrast the properties of two elements.List four causes of global warming. Compare and contrast two kinds of cells.Include a constructed response question on
every test and model exemplary student work.
Explain the differences in two chemical reactions.
Science IdeasCompare and contrast two tools used in the
lab. List four things you learned about a famous
scientist. List four ways that an invention has helped
civilization. Be sure to use specific examples.
English ideasCompare and contrast the movie version of
Romeo and Juliet and the play. List four reasons why the character made
the choices he did. Give specific examples from the text.
Include a constructed response item on each of your tests.
Foreign LanguageHave students read articles in the target
language and answer short answer questions in English.
Compare two pieces of architecture using a venn diagram.
Any subject…Begin the hour by asking students to list
four things they remember about…..Have them number these and read to a
partner. The partner gives one point for each answer.
Any subjectAsk the students to come up with
constructed response questions for the test. Give extra credit for those used.
End classes once a week with an exit ticket. Before they leave, they must respond to the prompt given.
Have students identify key words in your test questions and assignments.
Have students restate the question for all open ended responses.
Final TipsStudents should never erase their pre-writing.
They can get points for this on the test. Students may answer in any form and are not
given more credit for a formal essay. Teach bulleting, diagrams, charts, and lists as a way to respond.
Many students skipped the constructed response portion of the test. Be sure they know that it is difficult to pass the test without attempting this portion.
The most important thing teachers can do to help students be successful on the MCA is have students read and write in their classroom.
Web Resources
http://education.state.mn.us/mde/index.html
www.writingfix.comwww.PerspectiveForeducators.com/mnwww.PerspectiveForfamilies.com/mn
Using your own laptop or the one provided, take some time to peruse these websites to see which resources you might use.
Plan It!Create a plan for what you will implement in
your classroom or your school. Look at the action plan document to help you create this.
Work Time Create a question jar Find practice articles on writingfix.com, the
state website or in your curriculum. Plan to make copies of the constructed
response bookmark. Create your words for your word wall. Print item sampler for your grade level or
writing exemplars to share with students. Plan how you might share information with
parents.
A Great Resource
Revisit Give One, Get One Look at the bottom section. What were you right about and wrong
about.
Evaluation Please complete an evaluation and leave
face down on your tables.
