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Practicing reading poetry. Winner criteria: reading with rhythm, accuracy, and fluency. 

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Practicing reading poetry. Winner criteria: reading with rhythm, accuracy, and fluency. 

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Using “Easel” by Teachers Pay Teachers to practice finding and using text features in an informational text!

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Multiple Choice Relay Races for Test Prep

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Check out the link for directions or see me! The students really liked this group activity and it forced them to underline text evidence, have collaborative discussions, and work quickly but carefully on test questions.

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Students use text evidence to quickly support their choices

This is our second post in the test prep series. At CommonLit, we're all about getting students prepared, while still having fun! Last week, I shared the jigsaw game, a fun way to get students into a deep discussion. Today, I'm sharing the Multiple Choice Relay Race! This is one of the most effective and engaging methods for getting in multiple choice practice that I've ever encountered. I had reluctant readers vehemently defending their answers while they referred to the text for evidence. The relay race takes some preparation to set up, but trust me, it is so worth it!

Preparation

First, log into your CommonLit account and find 4-8 short passages aligned to your class reading level (or slightly above if you want to challenge students) - one for each relay round. To do this, go to the "View All Texts" page of the library. Once there, you can filter the library by grade level, sort by Lexile level, and select genres, themes, and standards to find the perfect texts for this activity. Make sure you preview the length of the texts; depending on your class period and grade level, you might not want to use texts longer than 1-2 pages. You can also preview the multiple choice questions in the Answer Key section of the text preview page.

Use the grade level Filter and Lexile Sort tools in our Library to find the perfect texts for your students.

You can have students read texts from a specific genre, or you can mix it up and assign a range of genres. I've selected an example set of texts for a 6th grade class. Each of these texts is concise and comes with great multiple choice questions:

Preview the types of questions paired with each text by selecting the text and clicking "Answer Key."

Note: you must be logged into your teacher account to preview the questions.

This activity works best on paper because it allows students to collaborate and make annotations together. To print out a copy of each text for every student, just click the "Download PDF" button on the text preview page. I usually sort the texts into hanging file folders for each relay round so they're easy to grab as each group completes a round. I also keep a copy of the answer key right in front, so I can grade the rounds quickly as they come in.

Hanging file folders help keep the lesson organized.

Starting Class

Divide the class into heterogeneous groups, with 4-5 students of mixed reading abilities and levels per group. Have them rearrange their desks so that each group is sitting at a "table" together. Explain that they have the class period to get through as many relay rounds as possible. Each correct answer counts for one point, and points will be given for speed. (First team to finish all texts gets 5 bonus points, second team gets 4, and so on). You can also give bonus points for excellent annotations.

Here's the big catch - teams must come to a consensus for each answer. Make sure each team elects a leader to submit the group answers. This forces students to have in-depth, heated discussions about rigorous questions, and use evidence to back up their arguments. I regularly heard students who almost never participate in class discussions fervently argue to a peer, "No, the answer is definitely B - look at paragraph 4!! The evidence says..." It's amazing!

Before you start, set some norms! You know your class best, but it's important to set some ground rules before starting this activity to keep it safe and fun for everyone. Make sure you set simple and clear parameters to remind students to respect their teammates. Remind them to use indoor voices and use a visual cue to get everyone's attention quickly.

The Relay Race

To start, place the Round 1 text face down on each table. Ask for a drumroll, and then say "Go!" Once a team has read and come to a consensus for all the multiple choice answers for that round, a team leader runs up to you to turn in the group paper. Hand them the next round, then quickly grade their answers. I like to keep a live scoreboard up on the board as a motivator.

Here's my example scoreboard:

This might sound like mayhem, and it can be a bit raucous, but I guarantee kids will have fun and get valuable practice dissecting a text and supporting their answers with evidence.

Want more great Test Prep ideas?

Check out this jigsaw game to engage your readers in a rich discussion.

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Multiple Choice Relay Races for Test Prep

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Students use text evidence to quickly support their choices This is our second post in the test prep series. At CommonLit, we're all about getting students prepared, while still having fun! Last week, I shared the jigsaw game, a fun way to get students into a deep discussion.

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Create movable text boxes and ask students to sort (mimics the Wonders unit assessment).

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This color coding tool  gives students the opportunity to see what area they are lacking in. Students in Ms. Fernandez class realized they weren’t elaborating enough.. How? Not enough purple coded!

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Homework Passes go a long way in Ms. Ellison’s class.  Earned and used!

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Using expository writing to summarize the story

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A little friendly competition....

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Writing time!!

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Using a Venn diagram notes to create a paragraph

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Working cooperatively in Di groups

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Comparing and contrasting Using sticky notes

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Partner Reading + Note Taking

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Resources for reading!

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End of the day fun reading time!

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Teamwork makes the dream work!

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Point of View

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Point of view

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Enjoying reading silently

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Scaffolded instruction using these sentence strips to help teach main idea and detail.

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Getting in the holiday spirit with some creative writing!

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Getting in the holiday spirit with some creative writing!

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My new reading corner

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Finding main idea key details

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Working cooperatively to find key details

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Giving students authentic opportunities to show their learning is priceless!

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Compliment Day!

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When kids set goals for themselves, it gives them ownership of their learning.  Once that happens...The sky is the limit!

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Ms. Fernandez’s kids are setting goals and expectations for AP2.  Doing a happy dance😝

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Amazing what we can accomplish with Post-It notes!!

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Celebrating our class goal of 80% or higher on biweekly Unit Assessments! 

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Celebrating our class goal of 80% or higher on biweekly Unit Assessments! 

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Students selected a donut party during lunchtime to celebrate their success! #goalgetters!

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Ms. Anglade’s students are developing a love for reading . Reading  is part of their daily home work and parents  must sign the log.

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Ms. Fernandez's awesome  fourth grade reading class:

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Ms. Fernandez's awesome  fourth grade reading class:

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Before taking unit tests in 4th grade Reading, students decide on our class goal together, which I display on a bulletin board. Then students set an individual goal for themselves on their test and they list which strategies they need to practice in order to reach their individual goal. If the class meets the class goal, then we will have a mini celebration together like popcorn and movie party or a donut party during lunchtime.

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Soaring!

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Lunch bunch! In Mrs. Sander's classroom!

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Lunch bunch! In Mrs. Sander's classroom!

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My students love getting put into groups and doing assignments on the big posters with markers. They get to work on the floor and collaborate to make sense of new information and show their learning in different ways them just paper and pencil in their notebooks and at their desks.

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Students get to choose a sticker to add to their rainbow each time they turn in a completed homework assignment. With ten stickers, they earn ten points, a no homework pass, and a new rainbow.

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Dojo Store

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Dojo Store

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Thank you Ms. Dorville for sharing your vocabulary French fries! These will come in so handy for writing!!

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iReady incentive!

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Discovering

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Growing...

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Learning

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Happy Campers...

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Using Class DOJO in New Ways 😍

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How do YOU use DOJO to set expectations?

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How do YOU use DOJO to set expectations?

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Thanks for trying this, Ms. Ellison!

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DOJO  hole punch cards ! how cool is this @ Ms.
Q

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Holding kids accountable and celebrating their successes at eye level! iReady motivation #Post

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Fourth grade writing in action with Ms. Dorvil at the helm and her mates assisting students! We are on our way to winning that triple crown.

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There are many ways to differentiate instruction… This is one of them. Thanks, Ms. P

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Spelling  words posted and notated! Long or short! This really helps our kids make the connection to sounding out words and aligns with SAXON!  Thanks Ms. Cabrera!

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Stopped by Ms. Cabrera’s class today and saw this! Love this Dojo wall of treats great way to hold kids accountable and motivated!

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Kids in Ms. Philistin’s know exactly what they are going to learn for the day! Agenda posted

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Mrs. A. imagined/suggested it... I "perfected" it... #teamwork iReady Notes Notebook #iready #racetothetriplecrown #melrosemustangs

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Meet or Exceed last year's score! You got this 5th grade!

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Interactive online storybook readings that you can play on the promethean board.  (The characters on the story book pages move as the story is read) super cute.

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*This worldwide promotional offer is exclusive to teachers and homeschool educators. No purchase necessary. Offer ends September 15, 2019, 11:59pm PST. Pre-existing accounts are ineligible. Only new accounts are valid. You will receive an email confirmation once the form is submitted. No credit card required. Must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for this offer.You will receive 365 days of free access to Vooks. Limit 3 devices per account. After your free access ends you may continue by purchasing a subscription.

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This worldwide promotional offer is exclusive to teachers and homeschool educators. No purchase necessary. Offer ends September 15, 2019, 11:59pm PST. Pre-existing accounts are ineligible. Only new accounts are valid. You will receive an email confirmation once the form is submitted. No credit card required.

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Interactive online storybook readings that you can play on the promethean board.  (The characters on the story book pages move as the story is read) super cute.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
*This worldwide promotional offer is exclusive to teachers and homeschool educators. No purchase necessary. Offer ends September 15, 2019, 11:59pm PST. Pre-existing accounts are ineligible. Only new accounts are valid. You will receive an email confirmation once the form is submitted. No credit card required. Must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for this offer.You will receive 365 days of free access to Vooks. Limit 3 devices per account. After your free access ends you may continue by purchasing a subscription.

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This worldwide promotional offer is exclusive to teachers and homeschool educators. No purchase necessary. Offer ends September 15, 2019, 11:59pm PST. Pre-existing accounts are ineligible. Only new accounts are valid. You will receive an email confirmation once the form is submitted. No credit card required.

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Discussion and notes! Setting up the reading journal...

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Hey y’all

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Loving the pastelitos from Mrs. A!

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What a great way to make a connection for our kids .. words with visuals. Thanks Dr. Alexander