Last Steps in Getting Ready for NJ-ASK!

1. Last Steps in Getting Ready for NJ-ASK!

2. Little (but big!) Things to Remember • Make sure to always include periods (.), exclamation points (!), or questions marks (?) at the end of your sentences. • Capitalize all proper nouns (example: Jennifer, Revolutionary War, Lincoln Elementary)

3. Little (but big!) Things to Remember • Your = Your dinner is on the table.You’re (you are) = You’re a great friend! • It’s (it is) = It’s a beautiful afternoon out!Its (possessive) = The bear cub cuddled with its mother.

4. Little (but big!) Things to Remember • Too = You ate too much pie!To = How do you get to the mall?Two = I have two brothers. • There = There are many great things about GCMS!Their = Their mother was mad at them for being lazy.They’re (they are) = They’re the funniest two kids in the 6th grade!

5. Little (but big!) Things to Remember • Difference between accept and except =*I will accept all the packages except for one. • Difference between affect and effect = *The medication did not affect the disease, but it had several negative side effects. • Difference between then and than = *Then my teacher gave out the math test, and I realized that it contained more information than I had studied.

6. Little (but big!) Things to Remember • Supposed to: Do not omit the d. Suppose to is incorrect. (Example: You are supposed to put the dishes away!) • Used to: Same as above. Do not write use to. (Example: She used to go to Washington School, but now she goes to GCMS.) • Toward: There is no s at the end of the word. (Example: Run toward the end zone with the ball to score a touchdown.)

7. Open-Ended Questions • There is a formula for writing an open-ended question. *For every bullet, you must have a paragraph for every question or period you see in that bullet.*

8. Open-Ended Questions • For example, if you have a bullet that has two questions or comments, you will have two paragraphs for that bullet. • If a bullet has one question mark or period, you will have one paragraph for that bullet.

9. Open-Ended Questions How many paragraphs would this prompt be? After reading the essay on Amelia Earhart, write an open-ended response to the following: • What are some of Amelia Earhart’s greatest accomplishments? Explain how these accomplishments make Amelia a great role model for young girls. • Who is else in your life serves as a great role model and why? 3

10. Open-Ended Questions For open-ended questions you should: • Have a topic sentence where you re-state the question or comment in a sentence form. (EX: The author’s position on voting is…) • Supporting Detail One: fact (taken right from the text)/commentary (why the fact is important. This detail should link directly to the text. • Supporting Detail Two: fact/commentary. If it is possible to relate this detail to your life, this would be a great place to show insight. If not, make sure you use another example from the text. • Sum up sentence: Draw your paragraph to a close.

11. Open-Ended Questions You can use your “Details for Details” Chart to help you with your open-ended responses. • For example, if you were trying to come up with reasons for why Amelia Earhart is a good role model, you would do something like this:

12. Try using a quote from the passage! “Amelia Earhart has become a hero to girls of all ages because of her perseverance in the face of adversity.” Amelia Earhart is a great role model for young girls because she is brave. - Ignored her critics - Kept her confidence despite mishaps and misfortune - Spoke out for a woman’s right to be anything she wants to be • - Took dangerous flights by herself • - Stood up to those who thought only men could do what she was doing • - Risked her own safety to help advancements in science and technology

13. Your Turn! Step 1: Read the passage. Step 2: Write down how many paragraphs your response should be after reading the prompt. Step 3: Use “Details for Details” to help you write your response. Step 4: Write your open-ended response