STAAR ReviewThe Important Thing about STAAR…

is that I do my BEST!

What do you know about

STAAR?

Written in lines and stanzas May or may not rhyme (rhyme = words that

have the same ending sound) Look for the “real” meaning of the poem What is it REALLY about? Look for symbolism: Ex: sun shining my

represent “hope” Questions may be about specific literary

techniques used (simile, metaphor, etc.) or just about the “real” meaning

Review your Poetry notes in your spiral

Poetry Review

Back to School

Are the teachers fair?Will they understandThat the work I doIs the best I can?

Will the kids like me?Will they think I’m smart?Will I find some friendsFrom the very start?

Will the days be hard?Will the marks be tough?Can I see things through,When the work gets rough?

If you want the truth,About how I feel,I have to admitThat my fear is real.- Greta B. Lipson

Simile Metaphor Personification Hyperbole Idiom

Figurative Language

• a comparison of two different things or ideas through the use of the words LIKE or AS

• Example: She is as slow as a turtle.• Comparing “she” to a “turtle”

Similes

• a comparison of two unlike things NOT using like or as• Example: The snow was a white blanket over the town.• Comparing “snow” to a “white blanket”

Metaphor

A deliberate, extravagant, and often outrageous exaggeration

May be used for either serious or comic effect

Examples: This book weighs a ton. A million bees had stung him. I’m so hungry I can eat a horse. I will die if he asks me to dance. I have a million things to do.

Hyperbole

Writing that gives human qualities to things that are not human

Example: The ocean crashed angrily during the storm.

People can be angry, but NOT the ocean. PERSONification Used in writing to help readers visualize and

connect to the topic

Personification

Idioms are phrases or expressions in which the words do not mean exactly what they say.

Ex: “My little brother drives me up the wall!” Jason complained to his friend.

Jason’s brother does not literally drive him anywhere.

“drives me up the wall” means “annoys me”

Idioms

Rhyme Rhythm Repetition Alliteration Onomatopoeia

Sound Devices

The repetition of sounds at the ends of words

pool, rule, and fool.

Rhyme

The beat created by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables: The cat sat on the mat.

Rhythm

The use of any element of language – a sound, word, phrase, clause, or sentence – more than once.

Isabel, Isabel didn’t worry.Isabel didn’t scream or scurry.

Repetition

The repetition of consonant sounds in the beginning of words

Examples: lovely lonely lights Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout

Alliteration

The use of words that imitate sounds

Examples: Crash Bang Hiss Splat

Onomatopoeia

Haiku An old silent pond… A frog jumps into the

pond, Splash! Silence again. - Matsuo Basho

Sensory language is when the author uses words and details that appeal to a reader's senses.

Senses include sight, touch, taste, hearing, smell, and emotion.

Sensory Language/Imagery

The taste of that first defeat was bitter indeed. The eerie silence was shattered by her scream. The crimson liquid spilled from the neck of the white dove,

staining and matting its pure, white feathers. After that first sale, his cash register never stopped

ringing. The sky looked like the untouched canvas of an artist. The spongy soufflé was a pleasure to squeeze. Her blue eyes were as bright as the Sun, blue as the sky,

but soft as silk. He could never escape from the iron grip of desire. The word spread like leaves in a storm. The lake was left shivering by the touch of morning wind. He could hear the footsteps of doom nearing. The ants began their daily marching drill.

Sensory Language/Imagery

Written to be performed When read, imagine you see and hear the

action of the performance Includes elements of fiction such as setting,

plot, characters, conflict, climax, resolution, and theme

Drama

Acts are units of the action in a drama. Acts are often divided up into scenes. (Act 1 Scene 2)

Dialogue is the term given when characters talk. Quotation marks are not used in a script. Instead, the words of each character appear next to the character’s name.

Stage Directions are sets of bracketed information that tell what the stage looks like and how the characters should move and speak.

Set is the construction on the stage that creates the setting.

Props are movable items – objects like a book, a suitcase, or a flashlight – that the actors use to make their actions look real.

Elements of Drama

Drama is often about a serious subject. Comedy has a happy ending; funny. Tragedy has an unhappy ending; main

character usually dies/some bad ending Screenplays are written to be a movie. Teleplays are written for television. Radio Plays are written for the radio.

Types of Drama

Word Parts (prefixes, root words, and suffixes) Context Clues Analogies Multiple-Meaning Words Foreign Words and Phrases

In paragraph 8, what does the word _____ mean? Read the following dictionary entry. Which definition best matches the meaning of the word _____ as used in paragraph 6? Which words from paragraph 3 help the reader to understand the meaning of the word _____?

Word Meaning

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Words are broken into parts Root – the main part of the word Affix – a letter or group of letters added to

a root word; has a meaning of its own Prefix – added to the beginning of a root

word Suffix – added to the end of a root word Look at notes in Vocabulary section Review common roots, prefixes and suffixes

Word Meaning: Word Parts

Clues in the writing to help you understand what a word means.

My ziglers hurt from walking so much.

I could not wait to take my shoes off.

Even though “ziglers” is a made up word, you can use context clues to understand its meaning.

Context Clues

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Context clues are clues in the writing to help you figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word

Clues can be in the sentence before or after (keep reading)

Clues may be the same (synonym) or opposite (antonym)

Read to figure out who? what? when? where? why? and how? Put these answers together to help you figure out what the unfamiliar word means

Word Meaning: Context Clues

1. Fill in the blank/synonym2. After the word “or”3. After a comma4. Before or after the word “called”5. In the sentence before6. In the sentence after7. Antonym8. Prefix9. Title

Types of Context Clues

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Words that are spelled the same but have more than one meaning.

In order to understand which meaning the author intends, you need to look at how the word is used in the sentence.

Use your context clues to help you figure out the correct meaning.

Test questions will give a dictionary entry and you have to pick the correct definition for how it is used in the passage.

Multiple-Meaning Words

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Read this dictionary entry for the word trick.trick (trik): 1) a crafty practice meant to deceive

2) a prank 3) a feat designed to amuse 4) to deceive 5) likely to give way unexpectedly

Which definition represents the meaning oftrick in paragraph 3? A. definition 1 B. definition 2 C. definition 3 D. definition 4

Multiple-Meaning Word Question

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An analogy is a comparison between things that are alike in one way, but different in other ways.

In an analogy, the first set of items must have the same type of relationship as the second set of items.

Ex: hot is to cold as up is to down Ex: hot : cold : : up : down For STAAR, you may need to complete an

analogy (effort : success :: pneumonia: _____) Review your notes in your Vocabulary section

Word Meanings: Analogies

Denotation = dictionary definition Connotation = implied meaning; feelings,

images, and memories that are attached to the word (positive, negative, or neutral)

Writers will choose specific words that will influence how readers feel, that will help set the mood (scary/suspenseful), or that will be more descriptive

Word Meaning: Denotation and Connotation

We often use words that are borrowed from other languages.

You do not have to speak the foreign language to know what the word means.

When necessary, use the context clues in the text to help you figure out the meaning of the foreign word.

Examples include R.S.V.P. and deja vu

Foreign Words

Main Idea

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Main Idea is: The most important information about the topic, the paragraph, or the selection. Main Idea is NOT: Too Broad Too Narrow

A Single Detail Contradicted… the opposite Irrelevant… not mentioned

What is paragraph 4 mostly about? Which detail supports the idea that_____?

Main idea = the most important thing

Details will support the main idea

Remember 5 types of wrong answer choices: Too Broad, Too Narrow, Single Detail, Irrelevant, and Opposite

Main Idea and Details

Summary

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Middle

• Summary : Retells the story or article in order.

• A summary is Beginning + Middle + End.• A summary is NOT: B M __ B __ E __ M E Which of the following is the best summary of the selection?

A summary is a retelling of a piece of writing in a much shorter way.

A summary includes all the important information from the beginning, middle, and ending.

A summary does not include opinions. A summary is paraphrased (use your own

words). Make sure the correct answer has all the

important information from the B+M+E. If it is missing a part, it is a wrong answer.

Summary

Setting – time, place, and weather Character – people or animals in the story Plot – sequence of events; the order the

events happen Conflict - problem Climax – turning point Resolution – solution to the problem Theme – life-lesson; moral of the story Plot Diagram: Review notes in Reading

section

Fiction: Story Elements

EXPOSITIONSettingCharactersBackground Information6

RISING ACTIONIncludes all events leading up to the climax and the conflict

CLIMAXTurning Point

FALLING ACTION/ RESOLUTION

Solution to the Problem and Final Events

THEMELife Lesson

Freytag’s Pyramid: Plot Diagram

Time, place, and weather

Why is paragraph 1 and 2 important to the story?

The setting of ______ is important because -

Setting

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People or animals in the story Questions about character traits, character

motivation, character change Character Trait: Read this sentence from the

paragraph 11 of the story. “She was not going to allow emotion to interfere with her mission.” This sentence shows Sybil’s -

Character Motivation: Siniwai knows he must hunt with the wolves in order to -

Character Change: How does Alan’s attitude change by the end of this story?

Character

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Sequence of events What happens first, second, third, all the

way to the end of the story Paragraphs 4 through 8 are important to the

story because they – Siniwai angers the wolf leader when he -

Plot

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Problem in the story

What is Sybil’s biggest conflict in the story?

Conflict

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Turning point All events lead up to this moment, and then

there is a turn Characters must often make a decision

Questions on climax often are in a graphic organizer

Climax

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Solution to the problem How the problem is solved

The resolutions in both of these stories occur when Terun and Siniwai -

Resolution

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Life lesson Moral of the story Lesson the reader learns from the story that

he/she can apply to life

What is the theme of this story? An idea presented in both stories is -

Theme

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Flashback tells readers about something that happened in the past.

“As Bill looked at the murky water he shuddered. He remembered the flooding last year when he had almost drowned in the quickly moving river. He hesitated for only a moment, then set out to cross to the other side. The family there needed his help.”

Foreshadowing is a hint about something that will happen later in the story.

“Mim walked carefully along the path toward the old mine. There were signs everywhere warning trespassers of the possible dangers. She noted the large hole near the entrance to the mine, but continued on in pursuit of her missing cat.”

Flashback and Foreshadowing

Flashback

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A flashback tells readers about something that happened in the past.

The purpose of a flashback is to give readers some insight into a character, relationship, or situation in the story.

PAST

As Bill looked at the murky water he shuddered. He remembered the flooding last year when he had almost drowned in the quickly moving river. He hesitated for only a moment, then set out to cross to the other side. The family there needed his help.

The author uses flashback in the story to -.

The reader understands why Bill fears the water today and why fighting his fear makes him heroic.

Flashback

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PAST

Foreshadowing is a hint about something that will happen later in the story.

Mim walked carefully along the path toward the old mine. There were signs everywhere warning trespassers of possible dangers. She noted the large hole near the entrance to the mine, but continued on in pursuit of her missing cat.

The purpose of foreshadowing is to set up future events in a story.

A reader does not know why the author mentions that hole until later in the story when Mim falls through the hole and gets trapped in the mine.

Foreshadowing

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Symbolism

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A symbol is something that represents, or stands for, something else.

Authors often use symbols in their texts. Almost anything can be used as a symbol,

but it has to make sense.

Sometimes you have to decide how an object in a story is used as a symbol. Think about the qualities of that object and how the object relates to the story.

Examples of symbols in writing: Mountain = obstacle character must

overcome Caged bird = loss of freedom Rainbow = hope

The ______ is a symbol of ______ in the story. What do the boots symbolize in this

selection?

Symbolism

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Tone – the writer’s attitude Mood – a feeling created in the reader from the writing

Positive Negative Neutral - Angry - Sorrow/Fear - Humor/mean

Look at word choice, punctuation, sentence structure, details Review Tone Vocabulary

Which words from paragraph 5 help create an anxious feeling?

The tone of paragraph 8 can be described as _______.

Tone and Mood

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The way an author organizes information in a text.

Chronological or

SequencingCause and

EffectCompare

and Contrast

DescriptionProblem

and Solution

Text Structure

Text Organization

How is the paragraph or selection organized?

• in Chronological Order/SEQUENCE …in order; 1, 2, 3… first, next, finally

• gives CAUSE EFFECT...what causes an event; due to, since, because

the effects of an event; as a result; consequently

• tells Description/MAIN IDEA and SUPPORTING DETAILS, details, details, details, details

• in Problem and Solution…discusses a problem and gives solutions

• uses a COMPARISON ...tells how things are alike and different similarity, both, alike, in common unique, on the other hand, however, in contrast

? = How does the author organizes the information in paragraphs 3 – 8?__________

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Involves discussing events in the order they happen in time

First, Second, Third, Next, and Last

Used in fictional stories and explaining how to do something/how something works

Text Structure: Chronological Order or Sequencing

Through the ages, Pennsylvania has seen many interesting events. The state was founded in 1681 by William Penn. Later, Pennsylvania was the site of important Revolutionary War battles. After that, Pennsylvania was home to new factories during the Industrial Revolution. Today, Pennsylvania continues to make history.

Text Structure: Chronological or Sequencing

Cause-and-effect patterns are used when considering why things occur.

Text Structure:Cause and Effect

Cause Effect

Effect

CauseCause

Cause

Cause

Effect

Effect

Effect

Effect Cause

•Effect

Cause

•Effect

Cause

•Effect

Cause is the reason something happens. Effect is a result of the cause. Often there is more than one cause or more

than one effect.

Cause and Effect

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CAUSE EFFECT

Melinda woke up Saturday morning to the sound of rain against her window. She groaned in disappointment. She picked up the phone and called her cousin. “I guess we won’t be spending the day at the beach,” she said. “Want to go to the movies instead?” Her cousin thought that was a great idea.

Cause Effect Effect

Cause and Effect Example

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Rained all morning

Cancelled trip to beach

Went to movies instead

Baby painted turtles spend all winter in their nests. They have special chemicals in their blood that can keep their blood from freezing. As a result, baby painted turtles can survive freezing temperatures!

Text Structure:Cause and Effect

What was the immediate effect of the purchase of Alaska by the United States?

Which of the following was a cause of people’s responses to the purchase?

Which word BEST describes the effect of the storm?

Cause and Effect on STAAR

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Used when looking at the similarities and differences of two or more subjects

Text Structure:Compare and Contrast

Subject A

Subject B

The cardinal and the cedar waxwing are two common birds. Both have crests on their heads. Both are common at birdfeeders. But the birds have some differences. The male cardinal is a bright red, while the waxwing is brown. The cedar waxwing often migrates from place to place. On the other hand, the cardinal stays in one place year after year.

Text Structure:Compare and Contrast

A main idea or topic is introduced, and the text that follows provides details describing the topic.

Text Structure:Main Idea/Description

Topic A

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Topic B

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

The pond was a beautiful place to visit. The falling leaves, all different colors, decorated the surface of the water. At the edges of the pond, small wildflowers grew. The golden forest glowed faintly in the distance.

Text Structure:Main Idea/Description

A problem is discussed, and then one or more solutions to the problem are proposed.

Text Structure: Problem and Solution

• Solution A• Solution B• Solution C

Problem

The Chesapeake Bay faces an uncertain future. Issues such as pesticides, too many nutrients, and habitat loss all threaten the Bay’s water quality and animal life. However, scientists are hopeful that the future may be brighter. If everyone in the Chesapeake Bay watershed works together, solutions may be found.

Text Structure: Problem and Solution

Graphic organizers are a visual representation of information and ideas.

Graphic organizers allow readers to see and gather information quickly.

You must be able to understand how the information is being presented, what the information is showing, and complete any missing parts.

Graphic Organizers/Charts

Graphic Organizers

The same information in the paragraph shown in a different way.

Main IdeaCuttlefish

DetailCuttlebone

DetailPolish

Detail?

Detail?

Detailink

ProblemFloating to top

SolutionRelease air from

vest

Bells and Their UsesI. Church Bell A. Called people to

church B. Announced

deaths C.

___________________II. Curfew Bell A. Told time B. Told when to go

homeIII. Handbell Cause

Pinned to ground

EffectScared to death

? = Which of the following completes the diagram?

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Author’s Purpose = main reason for writing.

1. Entertain = tell about an experience, tell a story (fiction)

2. Inform = tell facts or give information (non-fiction)

3. Persuade = want you to agree with them, or do something

Convince (letter to editor, advertisement) Influence

4. Express = explain feelings or thoughts (diary, letter, poem)

The author probably wrote this in order to _________.

Author’s Purpose

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Persuade: writing or advertisements that try to convince you to think a certain way or do/buy something

Inform: writing that gives factual information about a topic

Entertain: writing that is entertaining (not persuading you, not giving you factual information, not expressing thoughts/feelings). This writing is usually fictional.

Express: writing that is expressing thoughts and feelings

Author’s Purpose (whole story)

As readers, we often make connections between texts and within a text

By making connections, we analyze how texts are similar and different

Focus on the big ideas within texts such as themes, conflicts, etc.

Text Comparison

Text Comparison

Compare = How the 2 are alike

Contrast = How the 2 are different

The Antique

SaleThe Test

The Antique Sale

The Test

SettingCharacterConflictTheme

? = Which idea is present in both?...A similarity between them is…_____________________________________________________________________

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Information in the story is NOT always stated directly. Many times you must INFER things to fully

understand the text. Making an inference requires you to read with your

brain, not your eyes. How?

Clues in the Text + Own Experiences= InferenceTE + BK = ITEXT EVIDENNCE + BACKGROUND

KNOWLEDGE=INFERENCE

Inference

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From information in the article, you can conclude that –

The reader can conclude that (name of character) –

What can the reader infer about -? The reader can tell from the story that -

Inferencing Questions on STAAR

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Walking past your classroom, you see people fanning themselves and wiping their foreheads as they leave.

From the information in the article, the

reader can conclude - Clues: fanning themselves, wiping their

foreheads Inference: It must be hot in there.

Making Inferences: Your Turn

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Stacy was filled with anxiety as she approached the mailbox. Today was a big day; her report card was due to arrive. Stacy was worried some of her grades weren’t going to be as good as usual. She pulled the envelope from her school and ripped it open. Her first reaction was to let out a sigh of relief. Then she ran back inside the house to tell her mother the news.

The reader can conclude that Stacy – Clues: anxiety, report card due, sighed with relief,

ran to tell her mom Inference: Stacy got good grades on her report

card.

Making Inferences

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Evidence from the text that supports your answer The text will always support the correct answer Always write textual evidence for your answers

Which sentence from the story best supports the idea that people and dogs can do valuable work?

Which sentence from the story shows Alan’s true feelings about football?

Textual Evidence

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First person point-of-view is in use when a character narrates the story with I, me, my, mine, we.

The advantage of this point of view is that you get to hear the thoughts of the narrator and see the world depicted in the story through his or her eyes.

Example: I was reading the best part of my book when the bell rang bringing me back to reality.

Point-of-View: First Person

Third-person point-of-view is that of an outsider looking at the action.

Third person point-of-view uses pronouns he, she, they, and names.

Example: He gripped the car keys tightly. “You can’t have them,” he told her.

Point-of-View: Third Person

As you read, it is important to be able to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion.

A FACT can be proven. “Texas is a state in the United States of

America.” (can be proven by looking at U.S. map)

An OPINION is a belief (thoughts/feelings). It CANNOT be proven.

“Texas is the best state in the country.” (This is only what some people believe. Not a fact.)

Fact and Opinion

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FACTS OPINIONSChocolate cake contains milk, eggs, and chocolate.

Chocolate is the best flavor for a birthday cake.

Manuel is class president. Ty would make a better class president.

Alan writes comic books on the weekends.

Alan writes the most exciting comic books ever.

Fact and Opinion

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Which of the following is an opinion stated in the passage?

* Look for opinion words (good, pretty, like, think, should)

Give 100% Effort Stay focused Write notes for all

paragraphs Highlight key words in

questions Go back to the writing

and highlight textual evidence

Write paragraph numbers by the questions

Rewrite textual evidence Highlight key words in

questions and all choices Mark off wrong answers

and know why they are wrong

Select the correct answer based on textual evidence

Take breaks after you have answered all the questions for the reading passage

Recheck your answers Bubble all questions on

your scantron carefully

Reading Strategies: During Testing

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Skills: * * *

Skills + Effort = Achievement

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My Goals

My Goals

Effort: * * *

Skills + Effort = Achievement

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My Goals

My Goals