Science is Awesome!

Scoring and Teaching GED® Test Short Answer Responses

The Literacy CooperativeMay 5, 2016

My Two Cents on Teaching AdultsFarrellink.com/blog

Agenda

1. Anatomy of the Science (Sci) Short Answer Responses (SA) & Rubric.

2. He Writes, He Scores!3. Teaching Timed Writing with a Prompt.

Anatomy of the Science (Sci) Short Answer

Response (SA)

Photo Source: Flickr User Hey Paul Studios

FREE Resources:http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/constructedresponse

Writing Constructed Responses: Two Short Answers in Science

Reasoning through

Language ArtsScience

Social Studies Mathematical Reasoning

Science SA Item Sampler

Source: GED Testing Service

Content from Where?

Reasoning through

Language ArtsScience

Social Studies Mathematical Reasoning

Content from Where?

Reasoning through

Language ArtsScience

Social Studies Mathematical Reasoning

Real World Scenariosfrom College &

Workforce Contexts

Erasable 8.5”x14” Noteboard

Photo Source: GED Testing Service

Similar products for prep:• Dry erase sheets. • Fine point erasable mar

kers.

What is the TASK?

Source: GED Testing Service

What are test takers asked to DO?Example 1:“Deforestation, or clearing trees, is occurring in

tropical rainforests.“Explain how deforestation could disrupt the

lifecycle of Ophiocordyceps unilateralis in tropical rain forests. Include multiple pieces of evidence from the text to support your answer.

“Type your response in the box. This task may require approximately 10 minutes to complete.”

What are test takers asked to DO?Example 2:“Design a controlled experiment that the farmer

can use to test this hypothesis. Include descriptions of data collection and how the farmer will determine whether his [or her] hypothesis is correct.

“Type your response in the box. This task may require approximately 10 minutes to complete.”

Three (Unofficial) Short Answer Response Scoring Levels

TRAIT POINTS

Clear, logical response (with complete support from passage)

3

Adequate, logical response (with partial support from passage)

2

Minimal or implied explanation (and support from passage)

1

No explanation or support 0

Try It: Short Answer Response

Try to read and respond within10 minutes!

If you finish early, SILENTLY consider:• How long do you think it would take your

students?• What skills are required for this task?• How would you teach these skills?

Find a Partner!Take 5 minutes to discuss your

observations about the SA question:• What science content and vocabulary

do test takers need to respond?• What writing skills do test takers need

to complete their responses?• What instructional activities can you

lead to build these skills?

Quick Review of the Sci SA

How much time is recommended for test takers to “plan, draft and edit” their short answer responses?

Where does GED® Testing Service get the content for the short answer stimulus?

What are the THREE (unofficial) score levels for the Science short answer response?

How many short answer responses are included in the GED® Science Test?

Six Volunteers Needed for a Game!

“He Writes,HE SCORES!”

It’s Time to Play…

INTRODUCING our JUDGES!

SCORE

Let’s Welcome Our Contestants!

SCORE

Three (Unofficial) Short Answer Response Scoring Levels

TRAIT POINTS

Clear, logical response (with complete support from passage)

3

Adequate, logical response (with partial support from passage)

2

Minimal or implied explanation (and support from passage)

1

No explanation or support 0

Test-Taker Anchor Response 1

What does the JUDGE say?

SCORE

Test-Taker Anchor Response 1

Score & Annotations from the GED® Testing Service Subject Matter Expert! SCOR

E

Test-Taker Anchor Response 2

What does the JUDGE say?

SCORE

Test-Taker Anchor Response 2

Score & Annotations from the GED® Testing Service Subject Matter Expert! SCOR

E

Test-Taker Anchor Response 3

What does the JUDGE say?

SCORE

Test-Taker Anchor Response 3

Score & Annotations from the GED® Testing Service Subject Matter Expert! SCOR

E

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

SCORE

Questions?

Teaching Timed Writing with a Prompt

Remember Your Ideas?

• What writing skills do test takers need to complete their responses?

• What instructional activities can you lead to build these skills?

• Give students an index card or half sheet of paper with a pen or pencil.

• Provide a short prompt: “Shoshana went to the beach. What are some living organisms she might encounter? Describe their relationship on the food chain.”

• Direct students to write for five or ten minutes without concern for spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.

• After writing, ask students to share their ideas (they don’t have to read their actual writing).

Activity 31: Focused Freewriting

Activity 32: Unpacking a Prompt

• Find or write a stimulus and prompt for a short answer constructed response.

• Briefly read and discuss the stimulus to check for comprehension.

• Ask students to identify three parts of the prompt:– 1. Summary or statement about the stimulus.– 2. Directions on what to do and what their response should include.– 3. Instructions for completing the task.

• Focus on each part and answer student questions. Pay particular attention to part 2: they must follow the directions and respond to the prompt.

• Provide a non-fiction article as a prompt. Make it fun by letting your students choose the topic!

• Ask students to write sentences that properly quote from the text. Example: The author states that the fungus “disperses spores on the forest floor.”

• Next ask students to put the same information in their own terms (paraphrase). Example: The author explains how spores are dispersed and grow within the carpenter ant.

Activity: Quote and Paraphrase

FREE Resources:http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/constructedresponse

Thank You!

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