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PSSA For ParentsWharton PSSA Days 2014Reading & Mathematics Grades 5Tuesday, March 25 - Math Wedneday, March 26 - ReadingThursday, March 27 - MathTuesday, April 1 - ReadingWednesday, Apr 2 - MathThursday, Apr 3 - ReadingPlease note: 5th grade will be testing from 1:15 pm-2:45 pm each of these days. A snack, drink and gum are provided during the test.Writing Fifth Grade only Tues., Wed., Fri.; Apr 8, 9, 11Please note: 5th grade will be testing from 10 am-11:30 am each of these days. A snack, drink and gum are provided during the test.

Science Fourth Grade only

How Can Parents/Guardians Help?Your children suggest the following tips:

If you are anxious about the PSSA, it's ok. BUT try to keep cool around us. You don't want us to get anxious about the tests too.

It is important for kids to stay relaxed on the test.

Keep a positive attitude about tests. Talking about the test with your child can relieve stress about test taking.

Be upbeat. Be positive.

Mark down test days on the family calendar so you and your child are both aware of testing dates.

Dont make appointments on those days!

Make sure that your child gets enough sleep on the night before the test.

Make sure that your child eats a healthy breakfast and avoid heavy foods that may make him/her groggy.

Avoid high sugar foods that may make him/her hyper.

XMake sure that your child gets up early enough so that he will be on time to school.

Test anxietyBeing well prepared for the test is the best way to reduce test taking anxiety. Exercising for a few days before the test will help reduce stress. Get a good night's sleep before the test. Show up to class early so you won't have to worry about being late.

Science PSSA 4th Grade

Which of the following is a scientific fact?a. Acid rain is harmful to the environment.b. Trees are pleasant to look at.c. Dogs are better pets than cats.d. Winter is the season that is most fun.Based on the picture below, which of these is a conclusion about the elk rather than an observation about the elk?

A. This animal has hair. B. This animal is standing. C. This animal has four legs. D. This animal is a mammal.

Small insects are eating the plants in Freds garden. Fred put ladybugs that eat small insects in his garden. What do you think will happen next?a. There will be no change.b. The number of ladybugs will decrease.c. The number of small insects will decrease.d. The number of small insects will increase.

Which term describes the physical change that would happen to a small puddle of water on a hot, sunny day?A. Evaporation B. Condensation C. Freezing D. Melting

Which term describes the physical change that would occur if a pot of boiling water was placed outside in a temperature of 28F?

A. Evaporation B. Condensation C. Melting D. Freezing

If farmers cleared a large forest and planted grass, the squirrels that had lived in the forest would most likelyA. move to other areas that have trees. B. learn to live in the long grass. C. find seeds and nuts to plant more trees. D. build their nests on the ground.

Reading

According to the ad, Side Kick Shoes have which feature?

A. high-tech rubber solesB. lightweight wingsC. special wheels for speedD. striped lacesRead the sentence from the ad.The black stripes and colorful laces demand attention.

What does the word demand mean?A. a call forB. run fromC. stand atD. fall into

What do the words Extreme Powersuggest about Side Kick Shoes?A. They are built well.B. They are easy to put on.C. They will make you healthier.D. They will help you run faster.

Read the words of Pat Smith.

I owe my success to my Side KickShoes.

What is this sentence an example of?A. personifi cationB. factsC. a exaggerationD. character

Read the sentence from the ad.

Get looks as soon as you put themon.

What does the ad suggest aboutSide Kick Shoes in this sentence?A. They are easy to put on.B. They make it easy to run fast.C. They will help you take pictures.D. They will make people notice you.

Writing 5th Grade

The purpose of the passages and multiple-choice items is to assess students abilities to revise and edit written texts.The writing prompts reflect Pennsylvania Academic StandardsTypes of Writing

1.4.5.A Write poems, plays, and multi-paragraph stories.1.4.5.B Write multi-paragraph informational pieces (e.g., essays, descriptions, letters, reports,instructions).1.4.5.C Write persuasive pieces with a clearly stated position or opinion and supporting detail,citing sources when needed.Read the passage below and then answer questions 5 8.

1 Whats a fossil? 2 I once saw a fossil. 3 All plants and animals eventually die, but not all plants and animals become fossils. 4 Fossilization occurs when the remains of the dead plant or animal are quickly covered with sand or mud. 5 Over many thousands of years, the mud and sand pile up, compressing the plant or animal into the rock. 6 The plants or animals then harden and absorb minerals, eventually leaving behind a picture in the rock. 7 Their are many kinds of fossils. 8 Some are rounded, golden rocks called amber that occasionally hold an insect inside. 9 Other fossils are outlines of plants and animals. 10 Still others are entire dinosaurs. 11 Thats just amazing!Which word is used incorrectly and should be changed?

A. saw should be seen in sentence 2B. Their should be There in sentence 7 *C. Some should be Sum in sentence 8D. of should be off in sentence 9Choose the best place to add the following sentence.

These rocks are as beautiful as a golden sunset.A. after sentence 2B. after sentence 4C. after sentence 6D. after sentence 8 *Choose the correct form of the word others in sentence 10.A. othersB. otherC. othersD. otherssNarrative Writing PromptYou will have approximately 60 minutes to plan, write, and proofread your response to this writing prompt:

Think about a time when you were given the opportunity to care for something. Write a story that tells what you had to do and how it made you feel.The greater part of the writing assessment consists of students written responses to writing prompts.

Fifth graders will write to two of three modes: narrative, informational, or persuasive.

Mathematics 4th & 5th

Changes from 3rd grade PSSA test: Students are permitted to use calculators after the first few questions, unlike 3rd graders who were not permitted to use them.

Fluffy has 9 cat toys. She received 2 new toys for her birthday. How many toys Fluffy now has? Which number sentence correctly matches this story? 9 2 = 711 2 = 99 + 2 = 112 + 11 = 13

Which coordinate pair best describes the location of Tallahassee?

A. (8, 5) B. (5, 8) C. (9, 5) D. (7, 8)

Which figure below does NOT appear to have any right angles?

The soccer ball is covered with two kinds of polygons.What shape are the shaded polygons? A. hexagon B. octagon C. pentagon D. rectangleWhich sign shows a line of symmetry?

Benito cleaned his room between5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. Which clockshows a time between 5:00 P.M. and6:00 P.M.?

Carlos is working on the graph shown below. He knows there were 30 babies born in March at Smithville Hospital. How many more babies does Carlos need to add to March to finish the graph? 35276

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