In anticipation
of the MCA Reading test in April, Ms. Olson’s 7th grade English/LA
class has been reading the newspaper during class time. Students were taught
the format of the Star Tribune, (National News, Local News, Arts and
Entertainment, Sports, and Business sections) and were given the choice of
reading four articles from any section. The main criteria was the articles had
to be factual news stories and not editorials. Students then filled out a “News
Article Review” for each article. Students had to describe, in complete
sentences, the “who, what, when, and where” of each article. Finally they had
to summarize the entire article in a few complete sentences.
This type of
nonfiction reading and describing helps students prepare for MCA testing
because many of the stories on the test are nonfiction, and many of the
questions seek this kind of information. Students in Ms. Olson’s 7th
grade English/LA class seemed to enjoy the break from grammar and the
literature book (mainly fictional stories). They hammed it up a bit for the
camera, but overall they took the assignment very seriously. Comments from
students included, “I feel like a grown-up,” and “I look like my dad reading
the newspaper.”
The MCA Reading
test for 7th and 8th graders is scheduled for April 10th
and 11th. Any nonfiction reading and discussions at home will also
help prepare your child for these tests. Magazines and newspapers are great
ways to build these lifelong reading skills. Students will continue to build on
these skills in class as we continue to read newspapers as well as other
nonfiction material. Remember to ask your child, “What are you reading today?”
and then enjoy the discussion that follows.
Submitted by Julie Olson
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