Is your child struggling with open-ended or constructed-response types of test questions? Does your child need help preparing for writing on standardized tests like the Georgia Milestones? Do they need some writing strategies in order to be successful?
Kids of all ages tend to shy away from writing assignments for several reasons. According to All About Adolescent Literacy, “It is common for students in today’s educational system to dislike and/or avoid the writing process. Many students feel writing takes too long. For some, writing is a very laborious task because there are so many subcomponents which need to be pulled together.” They point out that writing can seem cumbersome to kids, especially for those with a processing disorder like dyslexia or dysgraphia. As a result, “some educators wonder if students no longer enjoy the slower, more refined process of written communication because they spend so much time watching the faster-paced visual modality of television,” they go on to say. Therefore, it’s key that parents understand why their child dislikes writing so that a “targeted solution to address students’ reluctance” can be developed.
When it comes to standardized tests like the Georgia Milestones, students can benefit greatly from practicing their writing skills with a parent or tutor to prepare them for the exams, as well as getting test-taking strategies under their belt. To get an idea of what the test will look like, refer to this guide from the Georgia Department of Education that contains examples of constructed-response questions on the exam.
A constructed-response question is a type of open-ended question that requires that the student demonstrate reasoning and critical-thinking skills, and it is based on a passage or specific essay prompt. It is very similar to what we used to refer to as an essay question because it involves a written response. However, in this case test creators tend to delve a bit deeper.
RACE Strategy is great for constructed-response questions
For the constructed-response (writing portion of standardized tests), we recommend that students use the RACE Strategy to ensure that they’re answering the questions completely.
RACE Strategy:
- Restate the question: Restate or reword the question, and turn it into a statement.
If the question is: How can students improve their test scores?
You can write: Students can improve their test scores by… - Answer the question: Keep in mind that there may be more than one part to the question. What is being asked? Be sure to answer all parts of the question.
- Cite the source: Support your answer with evidence from the text. Tell where you found examples and details in the text. If you use a direct quote, be sure to use quotation marks. Also, use introductory phrases to introduce your evidence.
In paragraph two…
According to the text…
The author states that… - Explain your response: Give evidence from the text to support your answer. Remember to add your thoughts.
This shows…
This means…
I believe…
Kids need a lot of guided practice in writing
Kids need a lot of guided practice to become good writers. Focus on writing skills early, especially in elementary school, so they can continue to hone the skills they will need to progress through high school and college. Many students straight out of high school are not adequately prepared for college-level writing, and they require additional support.
We saw this firsthand when a college student came to us for help with her freshman composition class. She struggled to get through her assignments because she didn’t have a grasp on writing a strong thesis statement. We paired the student with an experienced tutor at Dynamis Learning, and gave her the skills and practice she needed to excel, not only in English, but in other courses that required essay writing. We saw great improvements in her writing, and she eventually became a peer tutor in the college’s writing center. A win-win!
If your child struggles with writing for standardized tests, our tutors will work with them to understand the problem and create viable solutions. Additionally, if your child is experiencing low scores in writing due to a learning disability or anxiety, inquire at your child’s school to see if a 504 plan is an appropriate intervention for them. A 504 plan can provide accommodations like extended time, a quiet testing location, and modifications. It’s imperative that you get the process started as soon as possible because it could take several weeks to get a 504 plan in place. Please keep in mind that a 504 plan will need to be in place a few months before your child begins standardized testing like the Georgia Milestones Assessment, ACT/SAT, etc.
We, at Dynamis Learning, believe in helping parents find a solution to a child’s academic problems. We work hand-in-hand with your child’s teacher and school to find out what is happening in the school setting and set your child on the path to success. Contact owner, Helen Panos at helen@dynamislearningacademy.com or at 770-282-9931 to schedule a free consultation about tutoring, SAT/ACT Prep, college admission essay writing, or any other area of concern.
Helen is an expert educator with over 25 years of experience. She believes in the importance of helping children reach their potential and become well-rounded, intelligent citizens with a positive influence and impact on society. Helen assists parents in accessing the best skills, strategies, tools, and resources to help children be successful and ultimately excel in the world.
Is your child struggling with open-ended or constructed-response types of test questions? Does your child need help preparing for writing on standardized tests like the Georgia Milestones? Do they need some writing strategies in order to be successful?
Kids of all ages tend to shy away from writing assignments for several reasons. According to All About Adolescent Literacy, “It is common for students in today’s educational system to dislike and/or avoid the writing process. Many students feel writing takes too long. For some, writing is a very laborious task because there are so many subcomponents which need to be pulled together.” They point out that writing can seem cumbersome to kids, especially for those with a processing disorder like dyslexia or dysgraphia. As a result, “some educators wonder if students no longer enjoy the slower, more refined process of written communication because they spend so much time watching the faster-paced visual modality of television,” they go on to say. Therefore, it’s key that parents understand why their child dislikes writing so that a “targeted solution to address students’ reluctance” can be developed.
When it comes to standardized tests like the Georgia Milestones, students can benefit greatly from practicing their writing skills with a parent or tutor to prepare them for the exams, as well as getting test-taking strategies under their belt. To get an idea of what the test will look like, refer to this guide from the Georgia Department of Education that contains examples of constructed-response questions on the exam.
A constructed-response question is a type of open-ended question that requires that the student demonstrate reasoning and critical-thinking skills, and it is based on a passage or specific essay prompt. It is very similar to what we used to refer to as an essay question because it involves a written response. However, in this case test creators tend to delve a bit deeper.
RACE Strategy is great for constructed-response questions
For the constructed-response (writing portion of standardized tests), we recommend that students use the RACE Strategy to ensure that they’re answering the questions completely.
RACE Strategy:
- Restate the question: Restate or reword the question, and turn it into a statement.
If the question is: How can students improve their test scores?
You can write: Students can improve their test scores by… - Answer the question: Keep in mind that there may be more than one part to the question. What is being asked? Be sure to answer all parts of the question.
- Cite the source: Support your answer with evidence from the text. Tell where you found examples and details in the text. If you use a direct quote, be sure to use quotation marks. Also, use introductory phrases to introduce your evidence.
In paragraph two…
According to the text…
The author states that… - Explain your response: Give evidence from the text to support your answer. Remember to add your thoughts.
This shows…
This means…
I believe…
Kids need a lot of guided practice in writing
Kids need a lot of guided practice to become good writers. Focus on writing skills early, especially in elementary school, so they can continue to hone the skills they will need to progress through high school and college. Many students straight out of high school are not adequately prepared for college-level writing, and they require additional support.
We saw this firsthand when a college student came to us for help with her freshman composition class. She struggled to get through her assignments because she didn’t have a grasp on writing a strong thesis statement. We paired the student with an experienced tutor at Dynamis Learning, and gave her the skills and practice she needed to excel, not only in English, but in other courses that required essay writing. We saw great improvements in her writing, and she eventually became a peer tutor in the college’s writing center. A win-win!
If your child struggles with writing for standardized tests, our tutors will work with them to understand the problem and create viable solutions. Additionally, if your child is experiencing low scores in writing due to a learning disability or anxiety, inquire at your child’s school to see if a 504 plan is an appropriate intervention for them. A 504 plan can provide accommodations like extended time, a quiet testing location, and modifications. It’s imperative that you get the process started as soon as possible because it could take several weeks to get a 504 plan in place. Please keep in mind that a 504 plan will need to be in place a few months before your child begins standardized testing like the Georgia Milestones Assessment, ACT/SAT, etc.
We, at Dynamis Learning, believe in helping parents find a solution to a child’s academic problems. We work hand-in-hand with your child’s teacher and school to find out what is happening in the school setting and set your child on the path to success. Contact owner, Helen Panos at helen@dynamislearningacademy.com or at 770-282-9931 to schedule a free consultation about tutoring, SAT/ACT Prep, college admission essay writing, or any other area of concern.
Helen is an expert educator with over 25 years of experience. She believes in the importance of helping children reach their potential and become well-rounded, intelligent citizens with a positive influence and impact on society. Helen assists parents in accessing the best skills, strategies, tools, and resources to help children be successful and ultimately excel in the world.