VOCABULARY & GRAMMARVocabulary: For MANY of you, vocabulary, is one of the major skills holding you back from a higher reading level/passing the FSA. It has been proven that one of the fastest ways to raise your reading level is by reading but that is largely due to vocabulary exposure. EVERYONE could benefit from learning new words.
Grammar: Did you know that there is a grammar component to FSA. Wait, what?! OH YEAH. When was the last time that you were taught or studied grammar though? (My money is on upper elementary school.) Unfortunately, there is just too much to cover and not enough time. As it's impossible for me to teach you everything, you MUST take responsibility for some of your learning. So here is your fair warning: YOU NEED TO STUDY GRAMMAR! Below are some sites and videos to help you on your way. Browse each one to pick the best for you or spend a little time at each to add variety. The choice is yours! **********************************************
VOCABULARY.COM
What I like about this site: They thoroughly explain each word - much more than just a game. You can also choose from different lists from prefix/roots, KFC lists from our class, SAT words, to Just for Fun word lists like, Beyonce's Lemonade. Your URL link (by class period/block) is: VOCAB AHEAD
What I like about this site: If you need to hear it AND see a picture of it, in order to "get it," then this site is for you! I also love that you can choose words by grade level. (Keep in mind though that many of you would still benefit from learning words at a lower grade level.) You will choose your grade level and words to study. There are options for creating study lists (if you register), quizzes, flashcards, games, etc. Each word has a video with auditory support, a picture, a story using the word, synonyms, and antonyms. FREE RICE VOCABULARY PRACTICE GAME
What I like about this site: I love that this site has an altruistic component! Hmm... wondering what the heck "altruistic" means? Play the game! Learn new vocabulary with a game AND end world hunger! For each right answer this site will donate rice to a starving country. No pressure. PREFIX, ROOT, AND SUFFIX GAMES
http://www.turtlediary.com/games/prefix-and-suffix.html These games are geared toward elementary students but I put them on here because you could still learn a lot! https://sites.google.com/site/easygrammar4kids/prefixes-and-suffixes Again, a little elementary BUT I bet you learn something! http://www.funenglishgames.com/grammargames/prefixsuffix.html I like this game because it breaks down each word part with meaning after you create the word. There is SO much more out there! Do a google search for vocabulary or grammar. Also, search on YouTube. Some of my favorites come from Flocabulary.
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TYPING"Why on earth do I need typing," you say? Your typing skills could literally make the difference between you passing or failing the FSA because of time management! If you are a "hunt and peck" two finger typist, it could seriously slow you down. That means you may have known the information but no one will ever know because you did not have the typing skills to finish your answers. TYPING SKILLS ARE NO JOKE! Please take the time to practice at home. Two sites are listed below. The first is best when you are just starting and for your learning base. Then you can sprinkle in the second for variety.
Best site: http://www.typing.com/student/join#mchone1617 Once you have joined your class from the link above (which connects your progress to my dashboard for monitoring), you can then use the following website to login: www.typing.com 1. The first time you get on, after logging back in under your unique username and password, choose "Typing Test" from the menu at the top of the screen. You have options to take a 1 minute, 3 minute, or 5 minute test. It is important to take a starting test so that you can see where you are and if you get better (you can take this again later to see if you improved). Make a note of your speed (WPM = words per minute) and your accuracy percentage. (I just took it and I'm really going to have to practice as my score dropped to 69WPM at 98% accuracy! *frowny face* How do you compare?) 2. Next, click on Typing Lessons from the menu at the top of the screen. Games will not help you until you learn the proper hand placement. 3. When you need a break, play a game but ALWAYS go back to the lessons to reinforce that your hand placement is correct. Good for variety or a break: http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html ***Note: It is very important that you pay attention to the hand placement shown before each game and practice that way. |
OTHER RESOURCES
TEST TAKING TIPS
TESTING VOCABULARY
Part of being a "good" tester is knowing the lingo or language of the test. Here is a great video to make sure you know exactly what that test is asking you to demonstrate!
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REDUCING ANXIETYDon't let anxiety and negativity sabotage your learning potential or take over your ability to show what you know on test day!
Closer to test days, we will have a couple lessons to teach you how to reduce your test taking anxiety (at which time I will include all information here, as well). Until then, here is some information to get you headed in the right direction. |
Check back... more to come, as the year progresses....