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Department of Assessment Ver. 2.1 P a g e | 1

Teacher’s Guide

Helping Students Navigate

Smarter Balanced

Mathematics Test Items

Guide to the Secure Browser Features

Guide to Response Types

Suggested Instructional Activities

Road Map for the 3–5 Training Test Worksheet

Teacher’s Guide to 3–5 Training Test

Road Map for the 6–8 Training Test Worksheet

Teacher’s Guide to 6–8 Training Test


Internet Browser Access Use an internet browser when accessing the tests at home or in your classroom for

demonstration purposes.

You must use Firefox, Chrome, or the Safari internet browser.

The “Text to Speech” option is not functional when using an internet browser.

Note: You will not be able to access the practice and training tests using Internet Explorer.

To access the Smarter Balanced tests:

1. Go to www.smarterbalanced.org.

2. Under the “Smarter Balanced Assessment” tab, select “Practice and Training Tests.”

3. Scroll down and click in the box “Take the Practice and Training Tests”

4. Select “Student Interface practice and Training Tests”

Secure Browser Access Use the Secure Browser when students are accessing the tests in the computer lab or

classroom.

All running applications must be closed before the browser will work.

The “Speech to Text” option is available.

http://www.smarterbalanced.org/


Starting the Assessment

Whether you use an internet browser or the secure browser, you will follow the same basic

steps for starting the assessments.

To begin the Smarter Balanced tests:

1. Select “Sign In.”

2. Select the Grade Level you would like to experience in the drop-down menu, then

select “Yes.”


3. Select which test you would like to practice.

The Training Tests are a mix of grade levels, but offer a variety of item types available

in that grade level band.

The Practice Tests are grade level specific and will focus on one specific grade.

The Performance Task is grade level specific.

4. Select the tools that you would like to be available during your session.

For students without any special education accommodations, they should choose “Select”

without changing any options.

For students with special education accommodations, it is recommended that they be

allowed to change the options to match the accommodations they will be allowed to use

during the actual testing session.

Students using the Text-to-Speech option should be provided with headphones.

Note: To change your selected grade

level, then select “Back to Login.”


5. On the “Is This Your Test?” screen, verify your selections and choose “No” if you

would like to go back and make changes, or select “Yes, Start My Test” if you are

ready to begin.

6. Read through the “Test Instructions and Help Menu.”

Scroll through the entire menu to view a description of all Global Tools. Review these

with students prior to the actual Smarter Balanced assessment testing window.

When you are finished select the “Begin Test Now” button.


The Secure Browser Navigation Bar

Pausing a Test Students will receive the following message, select “No” to return to the test.

Moving to the Next Question

After selecting an answer, choose “Next” to move on to the next question. On the actual test

students can select the “Save” button to save all work and end the session. Selecting the “Save”

button on the Practice and Training tests does not actually save the work for later access.

Selecting “Next” before answering the question will produce the following error message. Select

“OK” to return to the question and answer it before moving forward.

The Test Instructions can be pulled up at any time during the testing session by selecting this button.

Students may select the “Zoom In” and “Zoom Out” features.

During a test session students are allowed to pause their test.

Students can use the “Back” button to go to previously answered questions and the “Next” button to go on after answering a question.

The menu at the top of the screen indicates the number of items completed and the number of items total on the test.

Students may navigate directly to previously answered questions.


Save Button

The Save button appears after the first question has been answered.

When the test session is over, click the Save button to end the test session. Answers

are automatically saved when the “Next” button is clicked.

Text Expansion Buttons

Sometimes the text viewing pane of the question can be expanded by selecting the icon.

This will expand the viewing screen, but students cannot enter answers in this view. They must

select the icon to collapse the screen again.

Text to Speech

Using the Secure Browser, the “Text to Speech” option may be used to listen to test items and

answer options.

Headphones must be used to listen to the audio. (It is recommended that students use

headphones with a built-in volume control for maximum audio adjustment capability.)

Reminder: Text-to-speech settings should be tested and verified as working properly before

beginning the test. This setting can be checked as part of the test login process.

Right-click on the question or answer choice to choose the “Speak Question” option.

Right-click again to choose the option to end the reading of the text.

Masking Button

The “Masking” button is available as a

designated support.

Click on this button to allow a box to be drawn

around unwanted information.


Highlighting Text

Text may be highlighted in the item stem. Using the mouse/touchpad, hold down the

mouse button and drag the curser over the text to be highlighted.

Right-click on the highlighted text and select “Highlight Selection.”

The text will then turn yellow.

Reset Highlighting

To undo the highlighting, right-click again on the selected text and then choose “Reset

Highlighting.”

Glossary

Some item stems may also contain words that have gray lines above and below them.

Scroll over those words, and they will be highlighted in blue.

Click on that word and a glossary will pop up to define the word/phrase.

Select the to close the Glossary.


Additional Tools

Information Button

Select this icon if not sure how to

answer the item or use the

available tools for that item type.

A new window with a short

tutorial video showing how to

navigate the item will appear. The

video may be paused and replayed

as needed.

When done viewing, click on the

in the corner to close the

window.

Notes Button

Type notes into a notepad by selecting this icon.

Notes may be viewed later by selecting the “Save

and Close” button when finished typing.

Notes may be viewed again by selecting the

icon.

Flag Button

Flag a question to review later.

The icon will change slightly and the question menu at the top of the screen will

also indicate this item has been flagged . This makes it easier for

students to go back to specific items later on in the testing session.

An item can be “unflagged” by selecting the icon again and it will change to the

default icon and unflag the item in the question menu as well.


Ending the Assessment

1. When all of the questions have been completed, the following message appears on the screen:

2. After selecting “OK,” the test question

screen reappears allowing an opportunity

to review answers on previous questions,

particularly any flagged items. If satisfied

with all answers, select the “End Test”

button.

3. One more chance to review answers is given. Select “No” to continue reviewing questions or

“Yes” to end the test session.

4. A prompt is given to check answers. Click the “Submit Test” button to end. One last warning

to go back and review answers is given.

5. Students may not go back to the test once the following screen is displayed:


Multiple Choice

Distinguished by circles with A, B, C, D lettering as answer choices.

Only one answer is allowed to be selected.

Responses may be changed by selecting another option.

The “Strikethrough” tool may be used to help visually eliminate choices. However, an option

must be selected to count for a correct answer.

An item that has been struck through may still be selected as an answer choice.

Sample Questions

Practice Test

G3: Questions 10, 12, 17, 18, 21, 23, 25

G4: Questions 2, 8, 12, 14

G5: Questions 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 15, 23

G6: Questions 1, 15, 26, 28

G7: Questions 3, 4, 11, 12, 20, 23

G8: Questions 4, 13, 15, 17, 23, 29

Training Test

G3–5: Question 1

G6–8: Question 7

Right click on an answer choice to select the “Strikethrough.” Option.

Right click on the answer choice again to select the “Undo Strikethrough” option.

Even though the “Strikethrough” tool was used, this item would be counted correctly since the answer bubble is filled in.

This item is considered unanswered because a bubble was not selected. Students would be prompted to select an answer before being allowed to move on.


Multiple Select Items with Lists

Distinguished by square boxes rather than circles (like Multiple Choice)

Some multiple select items allow the use of the “Strikethrough” tool to help visually eliminate

choices; however, one or more boxes must be selected to count for a correct answer.

NOT all multiple select items allow the “Strikethrough” feature.

A choice that has been struck through can still be selected as an answer choice.

All the correct boxes must be checked in order to receive credit for an answer.

Sample Questions

Practice Test

G3: Questions 7

G4: Questions 19, 20


G6: Questions 7, 10

G7: Questions 7, 9, 25


Training Test

G3–5: Question 6

G6–8: Question 4

Multiple Select Items with Objects

Some multiple select items require the selection of objects instead of checking boxes.

One or more correct answers are possible. All correct answers must be selected for full credit.

Click one or more objects to select an answer. An outline will appear around the object.

To unselect an object, click on it a second time.

Right click on an answer choice to select the “Strikethrough” option

Right click on the answer choice again to select the “Undo Strikethrough” option.


Sample Questions

Practice Test

G3: Question 4

G4: Question 10

G7: Questions 21A

Training Test

None

Multiple Select Items: Table/Chart Based

Distinguished by square boxes rather than circles (like Multiple Choice)

One or more correct answers are possible. All correct answers must be selected for full credit.

Click a box to select an answer choice. A appears in the box.

To unselect a box, click on it a second time.

Sample Questions

Practice Test

G3: Questions 2, 19

G4: Questions 4, 11, 16, 18, 22


G6: Questions 3, 5, 21, 23


G8: Questions 2

Training Test

G3–5: Question 4

G6–8: Question 6


Constructed Response: Text Based

These items require a written explanation using the keyboard.

Any symbol on the keyboard including numbers and operation symbols is allowed.

Use the arrow keys, delete, backspace and mouse/touchpad to edit responses.

Grades 3–5: Simple Text Entry

Grades 6–8: Word Processing Text Entry

Note: Labels will appear if students scroll over the icon.

Italics

Text formatting options

Remove Format

Insert/Remove Numbered or Bulleted Lists

Decrease/Increase Indent

Cut/Copy/Paste

Undo/Redo

Spell Check

Insert Special Character

Use the mouse/touchpad to point and click

on the symbol to be used. The symbol will

be inserted into the text box and the Special

Characters window will automatically close.


Sample Questions

Practice Test

G4: Question PT5

G6: Questions PT4, PT5

G7: Questions PT3, PT4B

G8: Questions 20, PT3, PT5, PT6

Training Test

G3–5: Question 8

Constructed Response: Mathematical Expressions

The equation editor may be used to enter the answer. Point and click with the

mouse/touchpad on the symbols shown on the equation editor to enter the answer.

Responses may be typed. However, the symbols allowed for typing in the box are limited

to the symbols shown on the screen. The number, backspace, delete, and arrow keys on

the keyboard may be used when entering an answer.

To edit responses, click on the screen keys using the mouse/touchpad or use the

keyboard to make changes.

The last number typed is blue whereas the others are black. The blue number at the end

is also part of the answer.

Tip: When the complete answer has been typed, click outside of the response box so that

the answer turns entirely to black. This will eliminate confusion as to whether a blue

number on the screen is accepted as part of the answer.

Right and Left Arrow Keys use to move cursor left or right.

Undo/Redo Buttons to undo or retype the last entry.

Delete Button

Fraction Symbol: Pay attention to the location of the blue cursor. This is where the symbols will be typed. Use the mouse/touchpad or right/left arrows to toggle between the numerator and denominator or to exit the fraction completely.


Sample Questions

Practice Test

G3: Questions 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 24, 26, 27, 28, PT 1

G4: Question 1, 3, 6, 9, 15, 21, 26, 27, PT1, PT3, PT4

G5: Questions 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, 14, 18, 19, 24, 25, PT2, PT3, PT4

G6: Questions 2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 22, PT1, PT3

G7: Questions 1, 2, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 26, 27, 28, PT1, PT2

G8: Questions 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 24, 25, PT2, PT4

Training Test

G3–5: Question 2

G6–8: Question 2

Parenthesis can be entered using the keyboard. The mouse/touchpad or left/right arrow keys can be used to toggle in and out of the parenthesis.

The keyboard can be used to enter these symbols. In later grades the multiplication symbol is switched to an asterisk star (*) to avoid confusion with the variable x.

Fraction Symbol: Pay attention to the location of the blue cursor. This is where the symbols will be typed. Use the mouse/touchpad or right/left arrows to toggle between the numerator and denominator or to exit the fraction completely.

Parenthesis and Absolute Value bars can be entered using the keyboard. The mouse/touchpad or left/right arrow keys can be used to toggle in and out of the parenthesis.

Exponent Symbol: Pay attention to the location of the blue cursor. This is where the symbols will be typed. Use the mouse/touchpad or right/left arrows to toggle between the base and exponent or to exit the exponential term completely.

Radical Symbol: Pay attention to the location of the blue cursor. This is where the symbols will be typed. Use the mouse/touchpad or right/left arrows to toggle between the radicand and index or to exit the radical term completely.

Pi Symbol


Graphing Tools

Graphing tools may be needed to add points, line segments, or rays on a coordinate graph or a

picture.

The “Add Point” or “Connect Line” tools will create objects anywhere in the response box.

To add a point in the response box, choose the “Add Point” tool and click on the location where

the point will be placed.

To create a line, select the “Connect Line” button. The cursor will change the pointer into a

hand. When the mouse/touchpad button is pushed, a point is created. Move the pointer to

another location and click again to create the second endpoint for the line segment.

Holding down the mouse button will moving the mouse will also create a line.

Line segments and points will continue to be created until the pointer tool icon is selected.

A line may be moved with the pointer tool . Grab one of the points to move the line segment.

To delete a line segment or point, select the “Delete” button. The curser will change to a “+.”

Move the cursor to the endpoints of the segment and click the mouse/touchpad button.

Sometimes a double-click of the mouse is needed to remove a point.

Sample Questions

Practice Test

G3: Question 6

G4: None

G5: Question PT1

G6: Questions 6, 25

G7: Question 21B

G8: Questions 5, 6, 8, 12, 19, 22, PT 1

Training Test

G3–5: Question 7

G6–6: Question 1


Drag and Drop

These items require dragging items from a selection pane and placing them correctly in the

response window.

Some Drag and Drop Items will allow the same object to be used more than once in the answer.

These objects will continue to appear in the selection pane even after it has been moved into the

answer area.

Other Drag and Drop Items will only allow an object to be used once in the answer. These

objects will disappear from the selection menu once it has been moved into the answer area.

The mouse/touchpad is used to select an item from the selection pane and drag to the response

box. A blue box will appear around the selected response.

The mouse/touchpad button does not need to be held down to drag the item.

Objects in the response area can be moved or removed as needed.

For some items, an object will need to be deleted from the response area by using the

button. In this case, click on the then click on the object to be

deleted. Then select the Arrow cursor again .

Sample Questions

Practice Test


G4: Questions 7, 13, 23, 25


G6: Questions 4B, 11, 18, 19, 24, PT2

G7: Questions 8, 10


Training Test

G3–5: Question 3

G3–5: Question 7

G6–8: Question 5

A note pops up at the bottom prompting students to press the mouse button to release the object.


Hot Spots: Charts/Models

Some charts and models require responses to be shaded or colored in by using the

mouse/touchpad to click on the area to be shaded.

Click in an area a second time to unhighlight the area.

Sample Questions

Practice Test Training Test

G3–5: Question 5

G6–8: Question ?? G3: Questions 22, PT4

G4: Questions 5, 24

G5: Question 16

G6: Question 4A


G8: Question 21

Tables

Use the mouse/touchpad to click in the response boxes and then the keyboard to enter

answers. Numbers are limited to be entered into these fields and will receive an error

message if other symbols are typed in.

All fields in the table must contain an answer before moving on to the next question.

Sample Questions

Practice Test

G3: Questions PT1, PT3

G4: Questions 17, PT2

G6: Question 27

G7: Question PT4A

G8: Question 28

Training Test

G3–5: Question 9

G6–8: Question 3

Click “OK” to return to the question.


Calculator Portions of the Test: Grades 6–8 Only

For grades 6–8, a calculator is allowed for some but not all items on the test.

Only the embedded calculator available in the test menu bar may be used.

On the practice test, the non-calculator items appear first. At the end of the non-calculator

portion, the following message will appear:

Questions may be reviewed or continue to the calculator section by clicking the “Next” button.

The following message will appear after clicking “Next:”

The calculator icon added on to their menu bar.

Use the calculator at any time during this section of the test.

Clicking on the calculator icon will open a pop-up window on the screen.

Enter the required mathematical expression into the calculator using the mouse/touchpad or

the keyboard.

Students can move

the calculator

window by clicking

and holding down the

mouse button in the

menu bar and then

dragging it to

another location on

the screen.

Click here to close

the calculator

window.

6th Grade Calculator

7th and 8th Grade Calculator


Smarter Balanced Suggested Instructional Activities

Understanding the Question Types There may be limited time in the computer lab to thoroughly complete all the questions in

the Smarter Balanced Training and Practice tests. However, you can review the

question/response types and discuss what is being asked of your students to do.

Class Opener. Place the question on the overhead or print a copy of the question for

students to complete during the first minutes of class. Discuss the solution(s) and

type of thinking skills that is needed to answer the question correctly.

Homework Assignment. Students may need a longer amount of time to solve some

problems. Assign the problem as a homework assignment and discuss the answers

and problem requirements on the following day.

Review and Create Activity. Review and discuss an item type. Then create

additional questions/tasks using the reviewed item type format. Questions should be

focused within the content area that is currently being studied in class. This may be

done as an individual, group, or class assignment.

Enrichment/Intervention. Use this time to help students who may be in need of

deeper instruction in understanding the requirements for question types.

Centers. Set up a center where students can practice the Smarter Balanced tests or

work on solving the problems.

Technology Support

Students will need time to learn the tools provided with the Smarter Balanced assessments.

Use your computer lab time to allow students to experience the online assessment tools.

Middle schools may find that their enrichment/intervention half hour before and after lunch

is an ideal time for accessing the Secure Browser. In addition, consider setting up a

classroom center where students can work within the browser.

Secure Browser Lesson. Provide students with a copy of the Secure Browser

Roadmap activity that will guide them through the question types as well as the

embedded tools within the test. Teachers should use their professional judgment to

determine how to utilize the Roadmap. Older students or computer savvy students

may work on this roadmap at their own pace. The teacher may choose to guide

younger students or those with limited computer experience through each question.

Explore Like-Activities on Various Websites. Several websites provide activities

that require the same type of skills that are used within the Smarter Balanced

assessment. Use computer lab time to practice these skills while supporting other

curricular related activities.


Road Map to the 3–5 Math Training Test

Name _______________________________________

a) What kind of shape do you click on to select your answer? _________

b) How many answers may you select for this question? _____________

c) What can you do when you right-click on one of the possible answers?

_____________________________________________________________

d) What happens when you right-click on an item the second time?

_____________________________________________________________

a) Enter the answer to the problem using the equation editor. Practice

changing your answer.

b) In the equation editor, match the button to the correct action?

Undo your last step

Erases the previous character

Redo your last step

Moves the typing place back a space

Moves the typing place forward a space


a) Drag the numbers onto the correct spot on the number line.

b) Where do the numbers snap to the number line? Top Bottom

c) What happens when you click the picture?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

a) What kind of shape do you click on to select your answers? ________

b) How do you uncheck one of your choices? ________________________

c) What can you do when you click the picture?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

d) Highlight the words “multiple of 6” shown on the first line of the

question. Right-click on these words. What is the first thing you can

choose to do? How can you undo what you just did?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________


a) How does the graph change when you click on different places?

_____________________________________________________________

b) How does the word “pencil” look different than other words in the

question?

_____________________________________________________________

c) What happens when you move your mouse over and click on the word

“pencil?”

_____________________________________________________________

a) Right-click on one of the options to strike through it.

b) Are you able to select this shape as a correct answer? Yes No

c) How many answers may you select for this question? _____________

d) What can you see when you click the icon?

_____________________________________________________________

a) When you drag the numbers to the boxes, what happens to the

numbers in the answer box?

_____________________________________________________________

b) How do you delete a number from one of the answer boxes?

c) Practice using the line tools.

Draw two lines on the diagram.

Delete one of the lines.


a) Click in the text box and type your answer. You may use letters,

numbers and symbols to explain your answer. It is OK if you do not

know how to spell a word.

b) What happens when you get to the end of the line when you are

typing?

_____________________________________________________________

c) Click on the button. What happens to your window? Can you

answer your question in this view? Click the button to return to

the normal view.

_____________________________________________________________

d) How many times can you click the icons? When would it

might be helpful to do this?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

a) Before you can type an answer in a box, what do you need to do?

_____________________________________________________________

b) What can you do when you click the icon? Try it!

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________


Teacher’s Guide to the Road Map

to the Math 3–5 Training Test

Question 1

Multiple Choice Item Type Students practice changing their answers to notice that the highlighted circle changes

automatically and should note that only one answer may be selected.

Strikethrough Responses Students will practice right-clicking to “cross out” a possibility and again to remove the

strikethrough answer.

Answers to Road Map a) Circle

b) One

c) Strikethrough an answer

d) The strikethrough is removed.

Question 2

Equation Editor Practice Tips Students should be encouraged to try using all

methods available to them to enter their answers.

Students experiment entering answers incorrectly

and then try to edit their answers. As students work,

tell them to pay attention to where the blue box is

because that is where the next symbol will be entered.

While this step is optional, teach students to click

outside of the response box so that their answer

appears entirely in black.

Students should make sure that their answer is

typed correctly. If they would like to edit their

response they can click on the screen keys or use the

keyboard to make changes.


Answers to Road Map

Undo your last step


Redo your last step

Moves the typing place back a space

Moves the typing place forward a space

Question 3

Drag and Drop

Students are required to use the mouse/touchpad to select an item from the bottom and

drag it to the number line above. Objects can be moved as many times as needed. As

the object is released to near the number line it will “snap” to the number line to help

with proper placement.

Information Button

Remind students that if they have trouble navigating the item tools, they may click at any time

on the Information button to view the video tutorial for that item type.

Answers to the Road Map a) No answer

b) Top

c) A short video tutorial provides directions on how to answer the question.


Question 4

Multiple Select

Students should click the boxes that they wish to select, as they do a appears in the box.

Students can select as many boxes as they would like. To unselect a box they need to click on it

a second time. Let students experiment with selecting and changing their answers.

Notes Button

Remind students that they may click on the Notes button at any time to type reminders for

themselves, and that they can be saved and viewed again.

Highlighting Text

Students should note that text may be highlighted in the

passages as well as the item stems. They should practice

highlighting important information and resetting the

highlighting.

Answers to the Road Map a) Square

b) Click on the checked box one time.

c) Students can type, save, and view personal notes.

Question 5

Hot Spots/Diagrams/Charts Students need to place their

cursor above the “Blue Pencils” or

“Green Pencils” labels and select

the appropriate height for the bar.

Students can change their

answers simply by clicking at a

different height to show the

“Number of Pencils.”


Glossary Students should practice rolling the mouse over

the word “pencil’ and clicking on it to show the

glossary.

Students select the to close the Glossary.

Answers to the Road Map a) Blue and green bars a created at the height where you click.

b) There are dotted lines above and below the word.

c) The word turns blue and when you click on it a glossary appears defining the blue

highlighted word.

Question 6

Multiple Select Students experiment selecting one or more choices and

deselecting them.

Students should also notice that a check appears in the

square box and that more than one option may be selected.

Help Button

Remind students that they may click on the Help button at any time to view directions for

navigating through the test browser.

When you click the “Help” button, the Test Instructions that were shown before the start of the

test will appear.


b) Yes

c) Five

d) The Test Instructions that are shown before you start the test appear.


Question 7

Drag and Drop Students should practice dragging the various numbers to each of the boxes in the answer area.

Also, students should practice removing the number from the box using the Delete button.

Graphing Tools For this question, students should spend time adding and removing lines. They should notice

that they need to use the pointer tool to move lines once they are made.

Answers to the Road Map a) The numbers remain.

b) Click the Delete button and then click on the number.

c) No answer

Question 8

Constructed Response: Text Based Students may use any keys/symbols on the keyboard in their response. Students can use the

mouse, arrow keys, backspace and delete keys to edit their responses.


Text Expansion Buttons

Students practice using these buttons to give them an idea on how they can view information

in a larger window and then return the window back to a normal view. When the window is

expanded, students should notice that they cannot enter answers in this view.

Zoom Buttons Students may use these buttons when they want to zoom in on part of their screen.


b) The text automatically moves to the next line

c) The information window expands. You cannot answer the question.

d) Four

Question 9

Tables In this item, students are only allowed to enter numerical values. If they try to type in

inappropriate symbols, they will receive an error message.

Question Navigation Students practice returning to questions through the question navigation drop down menu.

Remind students that they may also use the Back button to return to a previous question.

Answers to the Road Map a) You must click inside each box

b) You may return to a previously answered question.


Road Map to the 6–8 Math Training Test

Name _______________________________________

a) Using the line tools…

Draw a rectangle that has an area of 36 square units.

Delete this rectangle.

Draw a different rectangle that has an area of 36 square units.

b) What happens when you click the icon?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

a) Some questions may have more than one way to answer the problem correctly.

Practice entering in these two possible responses using the equation editor.

1

2 h * 3 + 6 * h

1

2 h (9 + 6)

b) In the equation editor, match the button to the correct action?

Undo your last step


Redo your last step

Moves the typing place forward or out of the fraction area

Moves the typing place back one space

c) Click the button _______________ entering the first number inside the parentheses.

before/after


a) Before you can type an answer in a box, what do you need to do?

_______________________________________________________________________

b) How do the words “deliver newspapers” look different than other words in the

question?

_______________________________________________________________________

c) What happens to the word “deliver” when you move your mouse over and then

click on it?

_______________________________________________________________________

a) What kind of shape do you click on to select your answers? __________________

b) How many answers may you select? _______________________________________

c) How do you uncheck one of your choices? __________________________________

d) Right-click on one of the options to strike through it.

Are you able to select this shape as a correct answer? Yes No

How do you remove the strikethrough?

____________________________________________________________________

a) Drag the ordered pairs onto the correct place on the coordinate graph.

Can you move the ordered pair after placing it on the graph? Yes No

b) What can you do when you click the icon?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________


a) Highlight the phrase “WY intersects ZAX at point A” shown on the first line of the

question. Right-click on these words.

What is the first thing you can choose to do?

____________________________________________________________________

How can you undo what you just did?

____________________________________________________________________

When would this be helpful to do?

____________________________________________________________________

b) What can you see when you click the icon?

________________________________________________________________________

a) What kind of shape do you click on to select your answer? ___________________

b) How many answers can you select for this question? ________________________

c) What can you do when you click the icon? Try it!

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

a) How does the prism change when you click on it in different places?

________________________________________________________________________

b) Click on the calculator button. Solve √841 using the calculator.

What is the answer to this problem? ________________

To answer this problem, you need to click on the radical before/after entering the

number into the calculator.


Teacher’s Guide to the Road Map

to the 6–8 Math Training Test

The 6–8 Training Test does not provide all the features/response types that are available to students

in the Smarter Balanced test. For example, the 6–8 Training Test does not contain a question where

students are required to type a text response. Students may experience more features/response types

in the 3–5 Training test as well as the English Language Arts Tests.

Question 1

Graphing Tools For this question, students should spend time adding and removing lines. Also, practice moving

the lines with the pointer tool.

Information Button

Remind students that if they have trouble navigating the item tools, they may click at any time

on the Information button to view the video tutorial for that item type.

Answers to the Road Map a) No answer needed, but check screens to make sure students are successful in the task.

b) A short video tutorial provides directions on how to answer the question.


Question 2

Equation Editor Practice Tips Students should be encouraged to try

using all methods available to them

to enter their answers.

Students experiment entering

answers incorrectly and then try to

edit their answers. As students work,

tell them to pay attention to where

the blue box is because that is where

the next symbol will be entered.

While this step is optional, teach

students to click outside of the

response box so that their answer

appears entirely in black.

Students should make sure that their answer is typed correctly. If they would like to edit their

response they can click on the screen keys or use the keyboard to make changes.

Answers to Road Map a) No answer

b) See chart below

c) after

Undo your last step


Redo your last step

Moves the typing place forward or out of the fraction area

Moves the typing place back one space


Question 3

Tables In this item, students are only allowed to enter numerical values. If they try to type in

inappropriate symbols, they will receive an error message.

Glossary Students should practice rolling the mouse over

the words “deliver newspapers” and clicking on it

to show the glossary.

Students select the to close the Glossary.

Answers to the Road Map a) You must click inside each box

b) There are dotted lines above and below each word.

c) The word turns blue and the glossary appears after clicking on it.

Question 4

Multiple Select Students experiment

selecting one or more

choices and deselecting

them.

Students should also notice

that a check appears in the

square box and that more

than one option may be

selected.

Strikethrough Responses Students will practice right-clicking to “cross out” a possibility and again to remove the

strikethrough answer.

Answers to the Road Map a) Square

b) Four

c) Click on the box one time.

d) Yes; Right-click and choose the Undo Strikethrough button.


Question 5

Drag and Drop Students practice dragging the various ordered pairs to different points on the coordinate

graph.

Notes Button

Remind students that they may click on the Notes button at any time to type reminders for

themselves, and that they can be saved and viewed again.

Answers to the Road Map a) Yes

b) Students can type, save, and view personal notes.


Question 6

Multiple Select

Students should click the boxes that they wish to select, as they do a appears in the box.

Students can select as many boxes as they would like. To unselect a box they need to click on it

a second time. Let students experiment with selecting and changing their answers.

Caution: Students may select both true/false options within each question.

Help Button

Remind students that they may click on the Help button at any time to view directions for

navigating through the test browser.

When you click the “Help” button, the Test Instructions that were shown before the start of the

test will appear.

Highlighting Text

Students should note that text may be highlighted in the

passages as well as the item stems. They should practice

highlighting important information and resetting the

highlighting.

Answers to the Road Map a) Highlight the selection;

Right-click to choose the “Reset Highlighting”;

This may help you remember key parts of the question.

b) This allows you to see the Help page that appears at the beginning of the test.


Question 7

Multiple Choice Item Type Students practice changing their answers to

notice that the highlighted circle changes

automatically and should note that only one

answer may be selected.

Question Navigation Students practice returning to questions through the question navigation drop down menu.

Remind students that they may also use the “Back” button to return to a previous question.

Answers to Road Map a) Circle

b) One

c) You may return to a previously answered question.

Question 8

Hot Spots/Diagrams/Charts Students place their cursor

anywhere inside the prism and

select the appropriate height.

Students may change their

answers simply by clicking at a

different height.

Calculator Students should try all the features of the calculator. Other practice tests will show different

types of calculators.

Answers to the Road Map a) The shaded area inside the prism changes.

b) 29; after.

helping students navigate smarter balanced mathematics ...€¦ · g5: questions 20, 26 g6:...

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