Today’s word is DEFEND: Definition: To support the stated idea. Students may be asked to … Defend a particular position. Formulate their own position and then defend it. To attack this question students must use the following to demonstrate that an idea is true, reasonable, or valid: Information from the prompt Facts Their [...]
Today’s word is INTERPRET: Definition: To present the subject in understandable terms. Students may be asked to interpret … diagrams graphs statistical tables literature documents illustrations pictures charts To attack this question students must: Determine what the item presented is trying to convey Use elements of the item provided Support their interpretation Our [...]
Today’s word is SYNTHESIZE: Definition: To combine parts into a whole. To take several sources of information and combine them to draw a single conclusion or make a single point. Students may be asked to synthesize … a set of data. several primary documents. several passages. To attack this question students must… Sort [...]
Today’s word is Illustrate: Definition: To make something clear by giving examples, using comparisons, using anecdotes, or using analogies. Students may be asked to illustrate … A Particular Concept. An Idea. A Theory. Students can use examples from their real lives, from history, from literature, and from incidents that they know about or [...]
Today’s word is IDENTIFY: Definition: To give the essential characteristics of something. Students may be asked to … Point out a key element in literature such as “tone” or “point of view”. Point out a particular trend in history or science. Point out a correct answer in mathematics. Give a brief definition or [...]
Today’s word is DISCUSS: Definition: To present both sides of an argument and then draw a conclusion. Students may be asked to discuss … a concept or idea. a particular passage. their own views on a topic within the context of larger debate. To attack this question students must… Consider both the pros [...]
Today’s word is DEFINE: Definition: To give the meaning or to make something clear. To explain what something is or what something means. Students may be asked to define … A specific term . An era (history). A concept. Students can attack this question in a couple of ways… Shape their definition according to [...]
Today’s word is JUSTIFY: Definition: To show or prove an answer to be right or reasonable using logical reasons, facts, rules, laws (i.e. mathematical laws or geometry proofs) or evidence. This question occurs mostly on math tests where students may be asked to… solve a problem and justify their answers. Students must use mathematical [...]
Today’s word is PREDICT: Definition: To use evidence to make a reasonable guess as to what may happen next. Students may be asked to predict by … Reading a passage and predict what happens next . Looking at a set of data and make predictions based on that data. Students can attack this [...]
Last year around this time, I was introduced to Mr. Wayne, a history teacher at one of the schools where I was doing some coaching. I sat down with Mr. Wayne and other members of his team to help them learn how to plan more rigorous units and lessons in preparation for his district’s adoption [...]
