Mustard Seed Training

Materials for praying with children.


Prepare Your Students for the GED® Test Extended Response

We had a great time at The Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland’s training yesterday. Participants shared resources and instructional strategies while analyzing the requirements of the GED Test Extended Responses.

Our take-away: any points at all on the Extended Response means we are preparing our adult education students to pass the GED Test!

I chose a selection of test-taker responses provided by GED Testing Service that participants read aloud (game show style!) to understand the threshold for scoring points in the three traits, particularly “Creation of Arguments and Use of Evidence.”

We discovered that if you use evidence without citing it properly, or if you analyze the passages but don’t use that to support an argument…then it will be in vain!

No points for you!

Reading Out LoudReading Out LoudThanks to @StAugLearnCenter and @MayDuganCenter for tweeting these photos.

In our discussion of instructional strategies, we focused on the reading and writing skills that are also measured on the rest of the Reasoning through Language Arts and Social Studies test, not just the Extended Response.

Check out the awesome lists and examples that we developed:

Is evidence: Specific, Timely, Accurate, Relevant (STAR) or General Outdated Unreliable, Irrelevant (GOUI or Gooey)
STAR & GOUI
find main idea, take a stance, connect ideas (SS) or contrast arguments (RLA) with 2-3 examples, summarize position. For high score: include counter argument & rebuttal
Structure for Extended Response

historical context with contemporary "hook" question, topic sentences, conclusion, conversation to THINK about ideas in prompt, read aloud to edit

historical quote, opinion of modern situation, synopsis of Supreme Court cases
How to Structure Social Studies Extended Response Passages
fill in the blanks: blank is the stronger argument because blank. ProCon.org or Sun Newspaper (local paper)
Sentence Template & Resources
Argument 1: Main Idea on top, Supporting Details underneath. Argument 2: Main idea on top, supporting details underneath
Graphic Organizer for RLA
Brainstorm of Reading Skills, Writing Skills, Instructional Strategies
Brainstorming

A little more detail on that last one:

Reading Skills

  • comparing statistics
  • comprehension
  • following directions
  • vocabulary
  • timed reading
  • main ideas
  • supporting details
  • close reading

Writing Skills

  • time management
  • formal style
  • plan your writing
  • use proper conventions
  • express your ideas
  • proper and varied sentence structure
  • logical argument
  • transitional words and phrases

Instructional Activities

  • graphic organizers
  • sentence template
  • discuss before writing
  • verbal analysis
  • web scavenger hunt
  • real life examples
  • authentic materials (local newspapers, SCOTUS summaries)

Thanks again to a fantastic group!

I look forward to going into more depth about the Social Studies Extended Response at COABE on Wednesday, 4/22 2:00pm-3:15pm in the L3 Granite A. Let me know if I’ll see you in Denver! As always, you can find the session posted right here on my blog.



About US

Mustard Seed Training is a team of faith-based artisan creating materials for praying with children. Our ministry is to share the love of God and neighbor.

Our group was founded in 2017 by CGS catechist and woodworker Meagen Farrell. Meagen is also an author, trainer, and PhD student in the fields of adult basic education and educational technology (that’s the “Training” part!).

Thank you for your patience & prayers!

Our goal is to provide you with quality materials and service. Please view our shipping policy and refund policy. We take a scheduled break every year from December 22 (or the last Friday before Christmas) to January 2 (or the first Monday).

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