mcas moments

8/2/2019 MCAS Moments

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Newspaper In Education

A collection of newspaper-based

lessons designed to help prepare

for students for MCAS.

Grades: Elementary and Secondary


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Moments

Communication Arts -- Reading

Skill: Develop and apply skills and strategies to ther

ead

ingproc

ess.

Good News, Bad News

Read various news stories. Identify the stories as good newsor bad news. If it reports something good happening in our

community, circle it in blue. If it reports something bad, circle itin red. Choose one of the articles you circled in blue to makeconnections to your own life. Write about a similar good experi-ence that you have had in your own Good News Newspaper.

Heralding Headlines

Headlines are not only designed to attract attention, they also aredesigned to summarize key elements of the news article. Skimthe newspaper and find an interesting headline. After reading theheadline only, write three predictions about the article. Read thearticle, revise your predictions, and list five important details you

learned. Next, write a new headline for the article. Finally, tradestories with a partner and decide which headline is better.

Newspaper In Educationactivities using todays

newspaper in theclassroom or at home.

E

S

MCAS

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System is a series of

standardized tests given to students at different grade levels on several subjects. Theactivities can help students with the skills needed to perform well on the MCAS tests.

E s= Elementary = Secondary


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social studies -- Principles of

Constitutional Democracy

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New National Symbol

You have the task of choosing a new symbol for our nation. Skimthrough the newspaper to find a picture that best represents ourcountry. Cut and paste your picture on a piece of paper, then writea paragraph explaining why you chose the picture.

Dont rule it out

Why are rules important in society? What are the pros and cons ofhaving established rules? Scan the newspaper to find examples of

.selurgnicrofnero,gnidlohpu,gnikaerb,gniwolloferaohwelpoepCreate a hall of fame and hall of shame to display your answers.

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QHZVSDSHULQWKHFODVVURRPRUDWKRPH

E

S

MCAS

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

is a series of standardized tests given to students at differ-ent grade levels on several subjects. The activities can

help students with the skills needed to perform well on theMCAS tests.



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Moments

math -- Numbers and Operations

Skill: Understand numbers, ways of representing num-bers, relationships among numbers and number systems.

Vowel Scavenger Hunt

Cut out words from the newspaper and count the number of vow-

els and consonants in each word. Paste the words on a separatepiece of paper and write the fraction of vowels for each. Reducethe fractions if possible. For example, it=1/2 and cat=1/3, andnewspaper=3/9 or 1/3.

Convert that Number

Partial numbers can be displayed as a fraction, a decimal, or apercent. Use the newspaper to find a percent and convert thatnumber to a decimal and a fraction.



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MCAS


is a series of standardized tests given to students at differ-ent grade levels on several subjects. The activities can




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science -- Processes and Interactions

of the Earths Systems

Skill: Human activity is dependent upon and affects

Earths resources and systems.

Save the earth

Think about ways human activity affects our environment.Locate pictures of people solving environmental problems inyour community. Cut and paste the pictures in a mural titledWe Can Save the Earth.

That Can Be Recycled!

.secruoserevreserpotyawevitceffednaysaenasignilcyceRUse the newspaper to locate items that can and cannot be re-cycled. For the items that cannot be recycled, list ways that youcan use this item or an alternate item to preserve resources.



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MCAS

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systemis a series of standardized tests given to students at differ-ent grade levels on several subjects. The activities canhelp students with the skills needed to perform well on theMCAS tests.



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Moments

math -- Numbers and Operations

Skill: Understand meanings of operations and how

they relate to one another.

margin of victory

.srebmunerapmocotrepapswenehtfonoitcesstropsehtesULocate the final scores of two different games. Use pictures,objects, or symbols to calculate the difference.

Recipes Abound



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MCAS

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systemis a series of standardized tests given to students at differ-ent grade levels on several subjects. The activities can



Newspapers can be a great source for finding recipes.Choose one recipe in the newspaper and imagine makingenough to share with your classmates. Convert the servingsize and ingredient list to accommodate your class size.


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Moments

Communication Arts -- Reading

Skill: Develop and apply skills and strategies to com-

prehend, analyze and evaluate nonfiction (such as biog-raphies, newspapers, technical manuals) from a variety ofcultures and times.

Recipe for Reading the Newspaper

Think about what you do when you read a newspaper. What doyou do first? Second? Write a recipe for reading the newspaperby giving step-by-by step directions. Make sure to include timeorder words. Trade your recipe with a friend.

Seeking the Source

In order to be taken seriously, journalists need credible sourcesfor their information. Choose a newspaper article to evaluate.Are the sources used tertiary, secondary, or primary? Do youfeel the sources are credible? Why?



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MCAS

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systemis a series of standardized tests given to students at differ-ent grade levels on several subjects. The activities can




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Moments

math -- Geometric and Spatial

relationships

Skill: Specify locations and describe spatial relation-ships using coordinate geometry and other representa-tional systems.

Newspaper Road Map

With a friend, choose a news story to be your make believe roadmap. Both of you cut the story from two separate newspapers. Yourstarting point will be the first word. Your partner will give you cardinaldirections (ex. 2 words east, 4 lines south, 1 word west, etc.), while he

.spamruoyerapmocpotssyasehnehW.etuorehtsetagivanoslaChoose another article so you can give your partner directions.

Newspaper Graphing

Find an interesting photograph in your newspaper. Use a ruler tomake an X and Y axis on that newspaper page, with the (0,0) inthe center of the page. Measure the distance of the photographin inches from the distance to the center of the page. Describe

its location to a classmate using Cartesian coordinates. Can yourclassmate locate the picture?



E

S

MCAS

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systemis a series of standardized tests given to students at different

grade levels on several subjects. The activities can help studentswith the skills needed to perform well on the MCAS tests.



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Moments

social studies --

Skill:

Our Living Document

The Constitution is called a living document because it can beratified and amended to meet the needs of the U.S. citizens. Lookthrough the newspaper to find an issue that you think is importantto todays society that could be resolved with an amendment tothe Constitution. Write your proposed amendment and attach thenews article.



E

S

MCAS

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systemis a series of standardized tests given to students at differentgrade levels on several subjects. The activities can help studentswith the skills needed to perform well on the MCAS tests.

local famous Massachusetts Figure

You have been given the task to write about a local Massachu-

setts figure who has contributed to your community. Skimthrough the newspaper to find the person who best fits thisdescription. Tell how this person has impacted the communityand why he or she is recognized for his or her contributions.

Massachusetts, TheUnited States and world history

Knowledge of continuity and change in the history of

Massachusetts, the United States and the world.



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Moments

math -- Algebraic relationships

Skill: Apply transformations and use symmetry to

analyze mathematical situations.

Symmetry Salad

Cut out various shapes from the newspaper. Fold the shapes to

discover the lines of symmetry, if any. Draw the lines of symmetryon each shape. Group the shapes according to the number ofsymmetrical lines and paste them into paper salad bowls.

Scale Factor

Choose a logo in the paper that you would like to sketch. You will.egamilanigiroehtegralneroecuderrehtieotkrowtraruoyesu

Next, you will measure the two images and create a scale thatmodels the difference in representations.



E

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MCAS

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systemis a series of standardized tests given to students atdifferent grade levels on several subjects. The activitiescan help students with the skills needed to perform wellon the MCAS tests.



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Moments

Communication Arts -- writing

Skill: Apply a writing process in composing text.

Mystery Story

Cut out several pictures from the newspaper without readingthe captions. Place the pictures in a bag, and without looking,pick your mystery picture from the bag. Thats your stimulus forwriting. Construct a graphic organizer to identify the 5Ws (who,what, when, where, and why) of your story by looking at yourpicture. Then continue the writing process.

You Are the ReporterReporters are responsible for background research and inter-views to develop a well-written article. Imagine you have thechance to interview any person in history (living or deceased).What questions would you ask? Complete a mock interviewand the necessary research and write a news article about your

historical person. Be sure to include quotes in your article!



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MCAS




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Moments

science -- Impact of Science,

Technology and Human Activity

Skill: The nature of technology can advance, and

is advanced by,

science as it seeks to apply scientificknowledge in ways that meet human needs.

Technology in our Community

New Inventions

.elytsefilruoevorpmiotsyawwenfogniknihtnetfoerasdnimevitaerCThink of all of the technological advances in the past year, 5 years,and 10 years. Use the newspaper to locate a new technology item.Maybe you will see this in an advertisement or a news article. Write

your prediction for how this item will improve your lifestyle.



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MCAS


New technology continuously changes the way we do things.Locate a pictue of an invention that has affected or changedyour life in some way. Write about how the invention haschanged your life.


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Moments

math Numbers and Operations

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Sold by the Pound

Look through the grocery ads in the newspaper. Locate ads foritems sold by the pound. Estimate the cost of 2, 3, 4, and 5pounds of the item. Then, calculate the actual cost.

Interior Designers

Newspapers are an excellent source for advertisements to

.stcudorpwendnastneveselasfoerawasremusnocpeekImagine that you get to redecorate your classroom. Find anadvertisement for flooring or wall paper and estimate yourclassrooms dimensions to calculate the amount that you willneed to purchase. Next, compute the actual dimensions ofyour room and compare your answer. Write the amount ofmaterial that you will actually need to purchase and calculate

the cost.



E

S

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systemis a series of standardized tests given to students at

different grade levels on several subjects. The activitiescan help students with the skills needed to perform wellon the MCAS tests.

MCAS



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Moments

social studies -- Elements ofGeographical Study and Analysis

Skill: Knowle

dge of m

ajo

r

elements

of geographi

calstudy and analysis (such as location, place, movement

and regions) and their relationship to changes in societyand the environment.

Lifestyles

The region in which you live affects the kind of lifestyle that you willhave. Choose two pictures in the newspaper that display differentregions. Create a Venn Diagram of lifestyle similarities and differ-

ences that you would experience in each region.



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Locate and circle names of cities mentioned in the newspaper.Draw a map of Massachusetts identifying the cities you cir-cled. Make sure you include a title, compass rose, and mapkey.

Massachusetts Map


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Moments

Communication Arts -- writing

Skill: Compose well-developed text using standardEngli

shcon

v

ention

s.

Capital Critique

Circle words beginning with capital letters in the newspaper.nehT.rettellatipacahtiwsnigebdrowhcaeyhwssucsiD

identify the words that are proper nouns. Write them in a chartlabeled person, place, and thing.

Can I Quote You On That?



E

S

Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systemis a series of standardized tests given to students at differentgrade levels on several subjects. The activities can help students

with the skills needed to perform well on the MCAS tests.

MCAS


When quoting their interviewees, reporters are generallyurged to use the neutral word, said. Choose 10 quotes fromyour newspaper and change said to a less neutral word,such as shouted or muttered. How might this affect thereader?


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Moments

math -- Algebraic relationships

Skill: Use visualization, spatial reasoning and geo-

metric modeling to solve problems.

Shape Visualization

Locate and cut out the shapes needed to make the net of a

cylinder. Cut and paste the 2-dimensional shapes together toform the net of a cylinder. Do the same thing for a prism and acube. Use the nets to form the 3-dimensional shapes.

Calling all Illustrators!

Imagine that you have the opportunity to be an illustrator for yourlocal newspaper. Your first task involves making an isometricdrawing of your school building. Sketch the illustration that youwill submit.



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MCAS



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Moments

science -- Impact of Science,

Technology and Human Activity

Skill: Historical and cultural perspectives of scientificexplanations help to improve understanding of the nature

of science and how science knowledge and technologyevolve over time.

Where in the world was thatdiscovered

Diversity in Science

When you think of scientists, do you think of men and women? Do youenvision people of various races? Technological advances have beenmade by a diverse group of people. Use the newspaper to evaluatehow an informative news article is written. Next, write an article abouta scientist you have studied who has made contributions with his orher scientific advances.



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We use technology developed by people all around the worldon a daily basis. Locate and cut out pictures of technologicalinnovations in the newspaper. Research to find out whereeach was invented or discovered. Paste the pictures on aworld map, identifying the location of each discovery.


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Moments

math Measurement

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Lets Shop

You have $10.00 to spend on groceries for dinner. Look throughthe grocery ad insert of the newspaper and find at least 2 items

neht,sesahcrupruoyfolatotehtetaluclaC.droffanacuoydetermine the change from $10.00.

Movie Matinee

Use the newspaper movie listings to select a movie to solve thefollowing problem. If the average movie is 109 minutes long, atwhat time will your selected movie end?



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is a series of standardized tests given to students at differentgrade levels on several subjects. The activities can help studentswith the skills needed to perform well on the MCAS tests.

MCAS



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Moments

Communication Arts writing

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ZULWLQJ

I Want That!

Look through the various items that are for sale in the Classifieds.Choose an item that you would like to have. Write a paragraph

persuading your parents to buy the item for you. Make sure youinclude the point you want to prove, three or more supportingdetails, and a concluding sentence.

Says Who?

riehtsserpxeotelpoeprofyawevitceffenaeraslairotidEopinions and share their message with the community. Browseyour paper to find editorial letters, columns, and cartoons. Choosean issue in your school or community that is important to you andcreate an editorial for your local paper. Remember in order toconvince others, you should include facts and research, as well

as your personal opinion.



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math Algebraic relationships

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GHUVWDQGTXDQWLWDWLYH UHODWLRQVKLSV

Food Group Pictograph

Identify the food groups represented in a grocery ad. Calculate the

total number of food items in each group. Construct a pictographto model the information. Make sure you give your graph a titleand label the X and Y axis.

Job Hunt

Use the classified section to view the job listings. How manyjobs require a high school diploma, an associates degree, a

.srewsnaruoyyalpsidothpargaetaerC?eergedsrolehcabWhy are education and job training important?



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social studies -- Principles andProcess of Governance Systems

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Finding Freedom

The Bill of Rights offers us many rights and freedoms. Review andlist the freedoms contained in Amendments 1, 4, 5, 6, and 8. Col-lect newspaper articles that are related to the rights and freedomsguaranteed in those amendments. Discuss why having these free-doms is important to you.

Ive Got the Power

Government officials have restrictions and limitations on the use oftheir power. Find a news article that demonstrates a limitation ona government officials power. Why was the limitation enforced? Is

it effective?



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Moments

math Geometric and Spatialrelationships

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DQG WKUHHGLPHQVLRQDO JHRPHWULF VKDSHV DQG GHYHORSPDWKHPDWLFDODUJXPHQWV DERXWJHRPHWULF UHODWLRQVKLSV

Shape Attributes

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trapezoid, and triangle). Cut them out of the newspaper, thenpaste them into a chart according to their attributes. Do the samewith 3 dimensional shapes (rectangular prism, cylinder, pyramid,and sphere).

Evaluating Layout

Newspapers must have an enticing layout and meet space con-straints. Choose a page of the newspaper to evaluate. Measurethe square area of text, advertisements, and photographs.Place the measurements from least to greatest and write the

percentage of space that each type of category utilized.



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Communication Arts information literacy

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Relevant Information

Find an interesting news story to evaluate. Read the story andidentify the main ideas. Number the main ideas in order ofimportance. Explain why you chose that order.

Newsworthy Notes

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interest. Evaluate the articles on your newspapers front pageand determine which of the five categories they fulfill.



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math data and probability

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The Shape of the Final Scores

Locate the sports section of your newspaper. Record all of the finalscores shown for a particular sport, such as all basketball. Arrange

the final scores in order from least to greatest. Calculate the median,mode, and range of the numbers. Discuss your results.

Car Shopping

.sracdesurofpohsotrepapswenruoyfonoitcesdefiissalcehtesU

.ecirpgniksaehthtiwgnolaracehtforaeyledomehtdrocer,tsriFCreate a scatterplot that shows the correlation between the modelyear of the car and asking price.



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Moments

social studies -- Relationshipsof Individuals and Groups to

Institutions and Traditions

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Meeting the Needs of Others

Locate pictures of groups or organizations that help meet peoples

needs. Cut and paste the pictures on a piece of paper. Write asentence explaining how each group or organization meets theneeds of people.

Its a Matter of Perspective

Locate the editorial letters in your newspaper. Choose a letterthat interests you. What is the issue presented? What is thewriters perspective? People are often influenced by groups,clubs, or organizations to which they belong. Think of a groupor organization that would strongly agree or disagree with the

letter written. Imagine you are a member of that group and writea response.



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Likely or Unlikely

Review the sports section of your newspaper. Discuss the teamsvarious standings and who defeated whom. Then label each teamas likely or unlikely to win its next game.

Movin Out

Youre ready to move out and live on your own. First, you need ajob. Browse the job listings in your newspaper and choose one thatyou are qualified to perform. Estimate your monthly salary based oninformation presented in the ad. Next, look at the apartment listingsin your newspapers classified sections. Is it likely or unlikely thatyou will be able to afford a one-bedroom apartment? A two-bedroomapartment?



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Moments

Communication Arts information literacy

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WRDQDO\]H DQGHYDOXDWHRUDODQGYLVXDOPHGLD

Thinking Aloud

Identify and explain the message conveyed in a news story by

sharing your thoughts. Read the story aloud. Pause occasion-ally to take turns sharing what you are thinking with others. Yourthoughts can be in the form of a question, comment, or feelingabout what is being read. Make a conclusion about the intendedmessage.

Editorial Evaluation

Editorial cartoons are a powerful medium for expressing ideas.Find an editorial cartoon in your newspaper. Who is the intendedaudience? What is the message? What is the theme or tone ofthe cartoon? What symbolism is being used? Has the authorchosen an effective way to present the idea? What would youdo differently?



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Moments

math Algebraic relationships

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DQGVWUXFWXUHVXVLQJDOJHEUDLF V\PEROV

Sports Expressions

Locate final scores of various games in the newspaper. Write anexpression representing the difference of two final scores. Havea friend find the difference to form a number sentence. Checkyour friends answer.

Shopping Savvy

astsiltahttnemesitrevdaselasadnfiotrepapswenehtesUregular price and a sales price. Write an equation that representsthe percentage that is discounted. Solve the equation.



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Moments

math Measurement

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Polygon Perimeters

Locate and circle 4 verbs in a news story. Use a ruler to connectthe verbs like a dot-to-dot puzzle to form a polygon. Measure and

label each side of your polygon with an inch ruler. Add the lengthsof the sides to find the perimeter. Write the perimeter in the centerof your polygon. Try it again with nouns or adjectives.

Angling

Use your newspaper to find angles. Maybe you will find them inphotographs, in the shape of the text, in advertisements, etc. First,estimate the measurement of the angle. Record your estimate anduse a protractor to measure the angle to the nearest degree. Howaccurate were your estimates?



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Moments

science -- Processes and Interactions

of the Earths Systems

Skill: Scienc

eand t

echnolo

gyaffe

ct,

and are

affe

cte

d

by, society.

Working Together

Progressive Science

There are various social, economic and environmental problemsthat can be overcome by the use of science and technology. Usethe newspaper to locate an example of a problem that can be over-come by the use of science and/or technology. Explain the solution

and how society affected the need and development of science.



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People are always working together to find new ways to solve

problems and get work done. Locate photos of people work-ing together to solve a problem. Share your thoughts andfeelings about the pictures.


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alphabet attributes

Cut out, sort, and classify letters according to their attributes in a

Venn Diagram. Draw a Venn Diagram on a plain sheet of whitepaper. Write curved letters on one side, straight letters onthe other, and both in the middle. Paste the letters in the VennDiagram according to their attributes.

Types of News

Use the front section of the newspaper to evaluate the types of newsstories presented: local, national, international. Sort the articles intothe three categories and create a bar graph that displays the amountof coverage each type of news story receives.



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social studies -- Tools of SocialScience Inquiry

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Future Artifacts

Artifacts help us learn about our history. Locate a picture of some-.tcafitranasadesuebyademosdluoctahtrepapswenehtnignihtPaste the picture on a piece of paper and write about what futurescientists could learn from the artifact.

Map it out

.srepapswennidnuofnetfoeradnalootlufplehyrevaeraspaMSkim your newspaper and find an article that you think would beimproved with the addition of a map. Design a map that you thinkshould accompany the article and present your map to your class-

mates.



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Moments


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Vowels Vs. Consonants

Use a tally chart to record the number of vowels and consonantsin three consecutive sentences. Use the data to describe thelikelihood that the next sentence will contain more vowels than

consonants. Describe the event as certain, likely, equally likely,unlikely, or impossible. Justify your answer.

Work ForceUse the classified section to locate job listings. Take note of thesalaries offered for jobs that do not require college educationcompared to those that do require college education. What is theprobability that you will find a job that pays $25,000/year without acollege education? Likely, unlikely, or impossible?



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