Keystone Prep! Session 2Welcome everyone! If you have any questions, please type them to us

Keystone Prep Sessions Algebra, Biology and English (Literature) Any student VC or LI who is taking the Keystone

Exam and would like help with preparation –all grades are welcome!

Algebra Tuesday’s

BiologyWednesday’s

LiteratureThursday’s

March 25th

April 1st

April 8th April 22nd April 29th May 6th

3:00 to 4:00Tuesday

March 26th April 2nd April 9th April 23rd April 30th

May 7th

3:00 to 4:00Wednesday

March 27th April 3rd April 10th April 24th May 1st May 8th

3:00 to 4:00Thursday

Who takes Keystones? All 11th graders regardless of class enrollment . Any student currently enrolled in English 10,

Algebra, or Biology (any grade level) Any 10th grader who has previously taken Algebra or

Biology!

Testing Dates The Keystone test dates are: May 13th-Literature

May 14th-Algebra May 15th-Biology

There will be a morning and afternoon sessions.  Students with last names A-L will test in the mornings. M-Z will test in the afternoon.

IS staff will contact students to schedule-if you have a question about if you are to take a test-please ask your IS.

Let’s Review! Last week we discussed open ended responses and

what a top score looked like. Let’s now look at a few examples of poor responses as well.

Does anyone remember the method we recommended using last week to answer open ended questions?

Hint: Three letters!

The Question…

Scoring Guidelines

Top-Response (3 points)

2 point response

1 point response

Vocabulary Words! Obviously, an important part of testing is

understanding what the question is asking you to do! Lets take some time to review some terms you will need to be familiar with for the Keystones!

Alliteration The repetition of initial sounds in neighboring

words. Example: She sat of the soft, silky, silver couch. Think of tongue twisters!

Allusion An implied or direct reference in literature to a

familiar person, place, event, or other piece of literature.

Example: If you were to say, “I have a dream,” in a speech, what would you be alluding to?

Antonym A word that has the opposite meaning of another

word. Example: Hot vs. Cold Example: Angry vs. Happy

Author’s Purpose The author’s intent either to inform or teach

someone about something, to entertain people or to persuade or convince his/her audience to do or not to do something.

Look for the message. If there is a call to action (the writer is urging you to take action) you are probably reading a persuasive piece.

Bias The subtle presence of a positive or negative

approach toward a topic.

Example: I hated my British Literature course last year, so I am going to hate my American Literature course this year too.

Characterization The method an author uses to reveal characters

and their various traits and personalities Indirect: Appearance, Dialogue, Internal Thoughts,

Actions, and Effects Direct: The author provides you with the

information. No guesswork needed. Example: Maria has dark hair and large almond eyes.

Dialect A variety of language distinct from the standard

variety in pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary.

Example: In Western PA we say, “Pop.” In the South they will use “Coke” or “Soda.”

Diction An author’s choice of words, phrases, sentence

structures and figurative language, which combine to help create meaning and tone.

Differentiate Distinguish, tell apart, and recognize differences

between two or more items.

Please differentiate between the two short stories, “Call” and “Answer.”

Conclusion We will continue to cover more vocabulary next

week.

Any questions??