Praxis II Middle School Science/MathPraxis II Middle School Science/MathTest Preparation CourseTest Preparation Course

Beth MarchantBeth Marchant

NISMECNISMEC(Northern Indiana Science, Math and Engineering Collaborative)

Tonight’s ScheduleTonight’s Schedule

6:00 – Sign in and Introductions6:00 – Sign in and Introductions6:10 – Why you are here – State of IN rules6:10 – Why you are here – State of IN rules6:15 – Exam help and why you should not 6:15 – Exam help and why you should not

teach this wayteach this way6:30 - Measurement - what does it mean?, 6:30 - Measurement - what does it mean?,

how does it work?how does it work?7:00 – Break7:00 – Break7:10 - Work in groups – science, math7:10 - Work in groups – science, math7:50 – recap – back in this room7:50 – recap – back in this room8:00 - adjourn8:00 - adjourn

REPAREPA

REPA (REPA (Revisions for Educator Preparation and Accountability)

Rules 46/47 Elementary certified teachers need content area certification to teach 7th and 8th grades (certification still good for K-6)

REPAREPA

Joyce Johnstone, licensing officer in IN Joyce Johnstone, licensing officer in IN from Univ. of Notre Dame, has offered from Univ. of Notre Dame, has offered for teachers to be able to take and pass for teachers to be able to take and pass Praxis II Middle School exams to reach Praxis II Middle School exams to reach content area knowledge before the content area knowledge before the REPA rules are in effect.REPA rules are in effect.

Need to have been teaching Need to have been teaching satisfactorily for 4 years and pass examsatisfactorily for 4 years and pass exam

REPAREPA

Rules likely to be in effect July 31, Rules likely to be in effect July 31, 2010 – still must be approved by a 2010 – still must be approved by a couple of state committeescouple of state committees

A currently certified teacher can add A currently certified teacher can add to certification by passing Praxis II to certification by passing Praxis II in any area with a few exceptions: in any area with a few exceptions: spec. ed, elementary ed, ELL, etc.spec. ed, elementary ed, ELL, etc.

Questions?Questions?

Do as We Say, Not as We Do as We Say, Not as We DoDo

Caveat: We are not modeling any kind of Caveat: We are not modeling any kind of good pedagogy here. We are only trying to good pedagogy here. We are only trying to help you pass an exam with only a short help you pass an exam with only a short amount of preparation time.amount of preparation time.

Unfortunately, most of what you learn will be Unfortunately, most of what you learn will be at a level of rote memorization – we will hope at a level of rote memorization – we will hope for more, but we know that you don’t have for more, but we know that you don’t have much time.much time.

Take a summer guided inquiry course to Take a summer guided inquiry course to learn how to teach better using proven learn how to teach better using proven research methods.research methods.

Questions?Questions?

How to Approach Praxis How to Approach Praxis IIII

Take what you need – and only that – to Take what you need – and only that – to the exam – glasses, etc.the exam – glasses, etc.

Study Study beforebefore the night before the exam the night before the exam so you can digest what you’ve learnedso you can digest what you’ve learned

Too much material to learn it all in 3 or Too much material to learn it all in 3 or 7 weeks – learn what you can and move 7 weeks – learn what you can and move onon

Do not need 100% to pass – need Do not need 100% to pass – need approx. 2/3 right to pass.approx. 2/3 right to pass.

How to Approach the How to Approach the Praxis IIPraxis II

Take the practice exam to become Take the practice exam to become familiar with the exam formatfamiliar with the exam format

Use the 2 hours wisely – wear a watchUse the 2 hours wisely – wear a watch Science - ~90 minutes on multiple choice Science - ~90 minutes on multiple choice

and 30 min on essaysand 30 min on essays Math - ~80 minutes on MC and 40 min Math - ~80 minutes on MC and 40 min

on problemson problems No penalty for guessing – answer No penalty for guessing – answer

every questionevery question

Multiple Choice Multiple Choice QuestionsQuestions

Read all possible answers before choosing one

It is OK to write in test booklet, so cross out ones you are sure are wrong or make a mark next to the ones that may be right

If you can get down to 2, you have a better chance than guessing at 4

Skip questions that seem complicated, difficult or too long

Multiple Choice Multiple Choice QuestionsQuestions

Watch where you put your answers – Watch where you put your answers – stop and double-check the question stop and double-check the question number and answer number to make number and answer number to make sure that you are bubbling in the correct sure that you are bubbling in the correct answeranswer

Some questions are for testing the Some questions are for testing the question only and will not count toward question only and will not count toward your scoreyour score

Do your best to answer a question and Do your best to answer a question and move on – mark it if you are unsure.move on – mark it if you are unsure.

Questions?Questions?