STAAR StrategiesSTAAR Strategies

RIGHT THERE

THINK AND SEARCH

AUTHOR AND ME

ON MY OWN

QARQuestion Answer Relation

RIGHT THERE easy to find, in the same sentence (who, what, when, where)THINK AND SEARCH in the reading but not in the same sentence (how to do, how many)AUTHOR AND ME not in the reading; I must think how to use clues from the text to figure out the answer.ON MY OWN not there; I don’t need the reading to answer the question. I already know the answer from my background knowledge.

1. Read the question first.2. Decide which of the 4 QAR methods to use.3. Find the answer in the text OR use my thinking skills OR use my memory.

BOOK

BRAIN

Quotation Attack SkillsQuotation Attack Skills

1. Use QAR. Read the question. What is the question asking?2. Determine the historical issue/event in the quote.3. LOOK FOR Location reference

Time reference Gender Race Religion Ethnicity Point of View

4. Read the answers and eliminate the wrong choices.5. Choose the MOST CORRECT answer.

“Fasting and similar discipline is, therefore, one of the means to the end of self-restraint, but it is not all, and if physical fasting is not accompanied by mental fasting, it is bound to end in hypocrisy and disaster.” Mohandas K. Gandhi, The Story of My Experiments with Truth

1. Use QAR. Read the question to identify which speaker(s) is needed to

answer the question.2. Read only the speaker(s) needed to answer the question.3. Read ALL the possible answers CAREFULLY.4. Eliminate the answers that do not apply to the speaker(s).5. Choose the answer that is MOST CORRECT. (Look for key words /

synonyms)

Drawing Conclusions from Multiple Drawing Conclusions from Multiple SpeakersSpeakers

Speaker W: In my country, families are small and health care is readily available.

Speaker X: In my country, the majority of the population lives in urban areas.

Speaker Y: In my country, families are large and health services are very limited.

Speaker Z: In my country we have many manufacturing and service industries.

Speaker Z is describing A. The social structure of a developing nation.

B. The economic base of a developed nation.

C. The social structure of a developed nation.

D. The political structure of a developing nation.

* Read to see what is suggested by the facts, but may not actually be stated.

* Read between the lines to analyze the selection.

Drawing Conclusions & Making InferencesDrawing Conclusions & Making Inferences

1. Read the selection carefully to understand all of the facts.1. Read the selection carefully to understand all of the facts.

2. 2. DecideDecide the meaning of the selection. the meaning of the selection.

3. Try to find facts in the selection that support your choice for the answer.3. Try to find facts in the selection that support your choice for the answer.

“Now it seems as though our mother planet is telling us, ‘My children, my dear children, behave in a more harmonious way. My children, please take care of me.’ ”

Dalai Lama

The main focus of the Dalai Lama’s statement is A. encourage international trade.B. prevent environmental destruction.C. improve race relations.D. end poverty and disease.

Multiple Choice QuestionsMultiple Choice Questions

1. Use QAR. Read the question. Do you already know the answer?1. Use QAR. Read the question. Do you already know the answer?

2. Ask yourself - Do I 2. Ask yourself - Do I needneed the “visual” to answer the question? the “visual” to answer the question?

2. Read 2. Read ALL ALL the choices the choices beforebefore selecting an answer.selecting an answer.

3. Eliminate the answers that do not fit.3. Eliminate the answers that do not fit.

4. Select the 4. Select the MOST CORRECTMOST CORRECT answer. answer.

WATCH FOR: context clues subject / verb agreement negative words - not, except time sequence - earliest to latest / latest to earliest

does your choice answer the question?

What large country today occupies the major portion of the Arabian Peninsula? a. Kuwait c. Sudan b. Iran d. Saudi Arabia

How to Handle Questions that Have How to Handle Questions that Have Info You Have Never SeenInfo You Have Never Seen

1. 1. DO NOT PANIC! DO NOT PANIC! Do not focus on the “info” you do not Do not focus on the “info” you do not recognize. recognize.

2. Focus only on the “info” you know. 2. Focus only on the “info” you know.

3. Use QAR. What is the question asking?3. Use QAR. What is the question asking?

4. Eliminate the answers that do not apply.4. Eliminate the answers that do not apply.

5. Choose the 5. Choose the MOST CORRECTMOST CORRECT answer. answer.

Which is the most likely explanation for the infant mortality rate and life expectancy rate in Papua New Guinea?

A. High per capita GDP

B. High literacy rate

C. Harsh climate

D. Limited availability of health care

DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICS

Country Birth Rate

Death Rate

Infant Mortality

Life Expectancy

New Zealand

22 8 25 67

Panama 22 4 18 73

Papua New Guinea

34 10 63 56

Peru29 7 60 66

Using theUsing the OPTICOPTIC systemsystemThe five letters in the word OPTIC (pertaining to the eye) provide a system for

remembering the five steps for analyzing a visual:

O is for overview •Conduct a brief overview of the visual.

P is for parts • Focus on the parts of the visual.

• Read all labels.

• Notice any details that seem important.

T is for title • Read the title of the visual for a clear understanding of the subject.

I is for interrelationships • Use the title to help identify the main idea or the big umbrella that connects

the parts of the visual.

C is for conclusion • Draw a conclusion about the visual as a whole.

What does it mean? -- Why was is included? • Summarize the visual in one or two sentences.

Political Cartoon QuestionsPolitical Cartoon Questions

1. Title1. Title

2. Captions & 2. Captions &

LabelsLabels

3. Symbols3. Symbols

4. Caricatures4. Caricatures (exaggerated facial(exaggerated facial

features)features)

5. Stereotyping5. Stereotyping

6. MAIN IDEA6. MAIN IDEA

1. Read the title.

2. Identify the main idea.

3. Identify the symbols.

4. Look for the legend.

(On line graphs & bar graphs: Read the x and y descriptors.)

Reading a GraphReading a GraphBar GraphBar Graph

Line GraphLine Graph

Circle GraphCircle Graph0

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Graphs (Charts) are combinations of symbols, words, and numbers that

show information in a clear and simple way.

Hints for a line graph:* They commonly measure quantities

or amounts of data.

*They are used to make more specific comparisons.

* Carefully read x and y axes - and what they represent.

Hints for a bar graph: * They commonly measure quantities or amounts of data.

* They make it easy to compare information.

* Carefully read x and y axes - and what they represent.

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Hints for a pie graph:

* the circle represents the whole. * the slices represent parts of the whole (subgroups).

1st Qtr

2nd Qtr

3rd Qtr

4th Qtr

Comparing/Contrasting Multiple ChartsComparing/Contrasting Multiple Charts1. Identify what the question is asking. (HINT: You may not need to look at both charts.) 2. Read the titles on the charts. 3. Read the data in the charts & look for relationships. 4. Eliminate the wrong answers.5. Choose the MOST CORRECT answer.

Which statement best summarizes the information in the charts?

A. Life expectancy is longer in Eastern Europe.

B. Life expectancy is longer for women in Eastern Europe.

C. Life expectancy is shorter, in general, in Eastern Europe.

D. Life expectancy is shorter for women in Eastern Europe.

Cause and EffectCause and Effect1. Use QAR. Read the question carefully - Is it asking for cause or effect?

2. Predict an answer.

3. Read all the choices carefully.

4. Pay close attention to words such as:

CAUSE: EFFECT:

because consequently

as basis for leading to

due to resulted in

since major result

therefore affect / effect

before in response to

if then

after5. Be sure to notice negative words, such as: except for, is not, excluding.

6. Choose the MOST CORRECT answer.

Cause & Effect ExampleCause & Effect Example

The most important result of the

Great Potato Famine was

A. North America received large

numbers of immigrants.

B. The potato blight spread to

Germany.

C. Landlords willingly gave their

surpluses of corn and dairy

products to the starving people of

Ireland.

D. Ireland’s population was reduced by

half as a result of the potato famine.

The Great Potato FamineIn 1845, a blight (disease) devastated Ireland’s potato crop, and it returned the next few years. The potato blight was not peculiar to Ireland; in fact, it began in North America. In the midst of the potato famine, corn, cattle, and dairy products continues to be produced in Ireland. But rather than give these foodstuffs to the starving, landlords sold them abroad for profits….The nation lost a third of its population during the 1845-1855 famine - more than a million died from starvation or disease. At least another 1 3/4 million fled their native land - 8 in 10 bound for the United States, most of the rest for Canada.

HINT: Does your answer make sense?

These questions involve historical changes over time. These are “big picture” concepts that bridge more than one time period.

Identifying TrendsIdentifying Trends

Use historical people, events, and important dates as clues to help you identify the Use historical people, events, and important dates as clues to help you identify the time period.time period.

Example:Example: AthensAthens GreeceGreece (400 BC)(400 BC) ((2000 AD2000 AD))

CITY STATES

NATION STATES

Look for descriptive words that describe the feelings of that time. Look for emotional words.

Key words are words that imply change, such as: “has led to” “account for” “best supported by”.

1.

2.

3.

The BEST answer will logically answer the question. 4.

Questions Using a Flow Questions Using a Flow ChartChart

Iraq attacks Kuwait and sets oil well fires.

Red Adair and like companies are hired.

Oil supply from Kuwait drastically reduced. ?

A flow chart is a multiple cause and effect question. The first statement is a cause of the second statement; the second statement becomes the cause of the third statement and so forth. The statements are all related. A question presented in a flow chart wants you to determine what the next most logical step would be. In this case, the answer could be “Oil prices increase worldwide.”

Interpreting a Interpreting a Population PyramidPopulation Pyramid

•Remember that a population pyramid is basically a bar graph turned on its side. Each line is showing you what percentage of the population is a certain age.

•Examine the title and the type of data presented.(ex. Age breakup, numbers listed below, male-female notation.)

•True pyramids are developing countries. The majority of the population is younger and not many people live to an old age. Developed countries are more rectangular; the population is spread more equally through the age groups.

Examining MapsExamining MapsOverview = Subject, type of map (phy, political, thematic)

Parts = Legend, scale, labels, shading, symbols, inserts

Title = Often in legend, frequently includes location, date, and map theme

Interrelationships = Patterns related to location and map content (such as population density, diffusion path, or vegetation distribution) ; pay attention to key regarding shading (dark is not always more, water is not always blue)

Conclusions = Generalizations, trends, or patterns evident from the map information

www.lib.utexas.edu/maps

Examine the Map’s TODALSIGSTitle, Orientation, Date, Author, Legend, Scale, Index, Grid, Symbols

Cartogram -Actual size/shape changed to reflect data

Recognizing Different MapsRecognizing Different Maps

USGSTopographic map of Stowe, Vermont

maps-for-free.com

Relief map of Spain

mappery.com Pictorial Map

Worldpress.org

Political Map

Fordham InstitutePhysical Map

maps.complutense.org NY Subway Map

Square, checkerboard or quilt pattern usually indicate agriculture (different greens equal different types of crops)

Rivers, streams, and bayous appear as wavy lines (irregular, wavy=nature). If image has color, water is usually but not always colored blue or dark grey.

Light grey = populations, development, urbanization (straight lines = man made)

Brown, light tan is usually an indication of soil exposure (as in clearing for development, planting or natural settings such as deserts and beaches)

Darker shades typically indicate thicker vegetation or deeper water

Lighter shades typically indicate sparse vegetation or more shallow water (may also show soil erosion in water)

“Reading”

GIS ImageryHouston, Texas

Square, checkerboard or quilt pattern usually indicate agriculture (different greens equal different types of crops)

Rivers, streams, and bayous appear as wavy lines (irregular, wavy=nature). If image has color, water is usually, but not always, colored blue or dark grey.

Light grey = populations, development, urbanization (straight lines = infrastructure, man made)

Brown, light tan is usually an indication of soil exposure (as in clearing for development, planting or natural settings such as deserts and beaches)

Darker shades typically indicate thicker vegetation or deeper water

Lighter shades typically indicate sparse vegetation or more shallow water (may also show soil erosion in water)

“Reading”

GIS ImageryHouston, Texas

Drag labels to show the corresponding feature on the GIS image

Bush Intercontinental

Airport

Galveston Bay

Sam Houston Toll way/Beltway

Bear Creek Park and Flood Plain

http://www.wpmap.org/physical-map-of-africa/

Drag labels to show the corresponding feature on the GIS image

Saharadesert

Mt. Kilimanjaro volcano

Lake Victoriawater

Great Rift Valley elevation change

Bab al Mandabchokepoint

Congo Basinvegetation

Nile River water

GIS images are often shaded to show details. In the image to the right, green vegetation is colored red. The Greater Houston Metropolitan area is seen, with urban areas blue- grey and suburban areas white-pink. Houston city is at center. Bush International airport is at top center visible with white runways. North Freeway is the white motorway running from the city north. At top right is Lake Houston with its dam wall; the navigable Buffalo Bayou runs from the city to the north tip of Galveston Bay (at right).

2ols.com

Summer

Winter

Warning: The colors used in GIS changes.

Shading (dark to light) is more consistent.

Can you match the label to the correct Can you match the label to the correct image?image?

Nile River

Mediterranean Sea

Hawaii

California

Great Salt Lake

Andes Mountains

Rocky Mountains

VolcanoSahara

ItalySpain