Algebra 2Content Academy
SOL Prep
April 19, 2016
Hermitage High School
Setting the SOL Stage – Clear Expectations!
Why is the SOL test important?
Exam Exemption? Impacts overall grade for the course!
Graduation?
Advanced Diploma?
Important to the school?
Important to you?
Know your test! Inform your students!
How many questions in each strand?
Algebra 2 = 54% (90%)
How many questions should you get correct in order to pass?
Alg 2 (37) questions. Why?
Setting the SOL Stage – High Goals!
Set individual and class goals
Be realistic. 100% class pass rate?
A/B students = advanced score = 500+
B/C students = 450
D/F students = 400
Giving the SOL Simulation
Why are we giving a simulation?
How are you giving it? Parts or one sitting?
Simulate the testing environment.
Clean Formula Sheet
Clean Grid and Scratch Paper
No Phones (collect them)
Pencil and 1 other color (highlighter, pencil, or pen)
Reset Calculators
Count the number correct; write this at the top of the page.
Planning for Review and Remediation
Examine the data…determine the needs!
What will give you the biggest bang for the buck?
What topics need whole group remediation?
Review by SOL objective and/or strand
What topics need small group remediation?
How are you addressing this need?
Find time for remediation! Use backwards design to determine the schedule.
Plan should be based on the amount of time allotted
During school? After school? Weekends?
Where can you consolidate material? Teach vs. Cover?
Making Review Fun and Purposeful!
Make review time meaningful for you and students.
Think of SOL prep in the same manner as preparing for the SAT.
Provide students with printed copies of aligned review materials.
Create a packet
Use simulation tests from previous years
Have students track their own data - Chart student progress and growth
Work out problems prior to assigning them to students.
Identify 2-3 different ways of working the problems
Content, test-taking strategies, calculator strategies
Establish a process for checking practice problems.
TestNav and other online practice.
Sample Activities
Questioning Techniques
Prior Knowledge is the starting point.
Explanation of answers is important.
How did you get your answer? Is it because of content or test-taking skills?
Why are incorrect answers eliminated?
Make sure all students believe they can find the right answer!
What do you know that can help?
Incorporate as many word problems as possible.
Error analysis on assessments – Why is work incorrect?
Brainstorm Incentives
Class competitions? Teacher competitions?
What do you want to emphasize?
Participation? Growth? Effort? Organization? Group goals?
How do you want to reward students?
Treats
Celebrations
Certificates
Points
Grades
Raffle tickets
SOL Resources! What is out there?
We now begin your journey through the vast amounts of SOL resources…
VDOE Materials
Henrico Materials
Miscellaneous/Odds & Ends
VDOE SOL Testing Preparation Resources
Released Tests – Look in Interactive Achievement!
Released mathematics SOL tests from the Spring 2013 and Spring 2014 SOLTest Administration were posted in spring 2014 and 2015.
VDOE SOL Testing Preparation Resources
SOL Practice Items
Practice items provide examples of the new content and increased rigorrepresented by the revised Standards of Learning (SOL) and illustrate the newTechnology-Enhanced Item types.
VDOE SOL Testing Preparation Resources
Online Mathematics Tools PracticeLooking for a way for your students to practice with TestNav onlinetools? Mathematics Tools Practice allows students to practice using the onlinetools such as the ruler, protractor, or compass available within TestNav.
Remember – Use InternetExplorer and not Chrome!
VDOE SOL Testing Preparation Resources
Student Performance Analysis
Performance analysis presentations contain concrete examples of the contentfor which student performance was weak or inconsistent in past SOL testadministrations.
Listen to the PPT presentations!
Available for 2012, 2013, and 2014.
VDOE SOL Testing Preparation Resources
Scratch paper must be of a single color and blank (must not contain anywords, numbers, symbols, labels, or graphics). Acceptable scratch paperincludes plain paper (no lines), lined paper, grid/graph paper, sticky notes,and note cards.
For online testing, the use of patty paper, dry-erase markers, andtransparencies is not permitted. Students may not trace images directly fromthe computer monitor. Students may not hold anything up to the computermonitor.
Grid paper samples (PDF) – grid paper must be unmarked (no words, numbers,symbols, labels or graphics) and contain squares of equal size. This samplecontains half inch, quarter inch, and centimeter grid paper, as well as a pagewith eighth inch individual grids.
No Axes!
VDOE SOL Testing Preparation Resources
2009 SOL – Ancillary Test Materials for assessments based on the 2009Mathematics Standards of Learning
Calculators
CASIO
TI-84+C Graphing Calculators
Approved APPS
Finance
Conics
Inequalz
PlySmlt2
Additional Resources
Interactive Achievement Probes and Simulations
Math Coach Books
Online Practice
TTM
TestNav
Miscellaneous websites – IXL, Study Island
Create SOL Packet using old versions of SOL Simulation
Review Strategies
Chesterfield SOL mini quizzes (on Math SOL Resources Page)
Students track their own progress, strengths and weaknesses
Review Strategies
Sample Student Recording Chart
Preparing for the SOL test
Pre-game Prep:
1.Go to bed early the night before the test. You’ll think more clearly after a goodnight’s rest.
2.Eat something healthy the morning of the test. You don’t want your stomach togrowl while you’re trying to concentrate.
3.Relax. Most people get nervous when taking a test. That’s a natural reaction. Beconfident in your preparations and do your best.
Preparing for the SOL test
How can you do well on multiple-choice questions?
1.Read the directions carefully to figure out which answer the test requires—the bestanswer or the right answer. This is especially important when answer choices include “allof the above” or “none of the above.”
2.Watch for negative words in the questions, such as not, except, unless, never, and soforth. If the question contains a negative, the correct answer choice is the one that doesnot fit.
3.Don’t make assumptions about what the question might be; read the whole question.There’s a big difference between the questions “Do you like chocolate ice cream?” and“Do you like only chocolate ice cream?”
4.Cover the options and try to answer the question in your head before reading the answerchoices.
5.Look for key words, or clues, in the question to support your answer.
6.Read every answer choice. Sometimes you’ll read the first answer and think it isdefinitely right. Be careful! Read the other answer choices before marking your answer.You might find an even better answer choice than the first one you liked.
7.Cross out answer choices that are obviously wrong. Then use the process of eliminationto choose an answer from those that remain.
8.When you have finished each question, reread it to make sure your answer is reasonable.
Preparing for the SOL test
What about questions with graphics?
1.Many questions on the SOLs have graphs, charts, maps, time lines, or political cartoonsthat you need to use to find the answer.
2.Read the title, labels, and keys. They each give important information for understandingthe graphic.
3.Look closely at all the details. You can find a ton of information in the graph, chart, ormap if you look at the specifics as well as the big picture.
Preparing for the SOL test
Crunch Time?
1.Remember to pace yourself. If you work too quickly, you‘ll be more likely to makemistakes. Instead, read each question and all the answer choices carefully.
2.If you get stuck, mark the question for review, skip it, and answer the nextquestion. When you come to the last question, you can go back and reread thosequestions you did not understand.