As we enter the month of March...all we can think about is the dreaded DSTP. While I am out on my maternity leave, I ask that each student put forth their best effort on the DSTP. Eat a healthy breakfast, get a good night's sleep, and try your best. Each one of you has the potential to do very well if you take your time and use all of the "good reader" strategies that we have learned this year.
Remember to stop while you are reading a use the strategies. If you wait until you are finished the passage, you may not remember what you have read. Pick various stopping points during the passage and ask yourself a question, clarify what you have read, make predictions, summarize the section, visualize the scene, and evaluate what you have read. Jot down notes while you are reading and use a highlighter to highlight important sections or vocabulary words that you are unfamiliar with.
Remember when you are answering questions to use the words in the question in your response. If they are asking you what motivated the main character to act the way he did, your answer should begin..."The main character was motivated by..." Remember the list of no-no words from Mrs. Bullen. These words should not be used in reading and writing responses. Use the characters' names. Do not refer to them as he or she.
When you are completing a major writing piece, remember to have an introduction that restates the question, three details that support your main idea, and a conclusion paragraph. Mrs. Jilek and the substitute will show you some sample DSTP writing pieces. As you look at these, notice that the shorter responses did not score as well. Please also use the scrap paper for your rough draft. And when you are allowed...use a dictionary and thesaurus to help.
Good Luck and above all TAKE YOUR TIME:)
