Math WASL SECRETS 2007 : Math WASL SECRETS 2007
Eight Secrets : Eight Secrets
#1 : #1 Pay careful attention to the prompt. If the directions say to use information from two graphs, use information from two graphs. Using information from only one graph will not earn full credit.
#2 : #2 Label all of your pictures and diagrams when it says, “Show your work using words, numbers, and/or pictures.”
#3 : #3 Make sure pictures you draw match the numbers. If 14 fish are used to support your work but you draw 13, the scorer won’t choose between your answers.
#4 : #4 Even if you have the right answer, but you accidentally have a different answer somewhere else in your workspace, the scorer won’t choose between your answers. Make sure your answers match.
#5 : #5 The answer in the line space is the one that’s scored. When you write your answer in the work space, make sure you copy your “final answer” correctly on the answer line.
#6 : #6 You don’t have to do all three: words, numbers and pictures. Pick one and do it very, very well.
#7 : #7 If you use a “guess-and-check” strategy, you must show more than one guess. Use non-examples.
? + 5 = 8
2 + 5 ≠ 8
4 + 5 ≠ 8
3 + 5 = 8
#8 : #8 Show your work! Sometimes you might get full credit even with a computation mistake, if the scorer can see the computation mistake in your workspace.
Number Sense Secrets : Number Sense Secrets
Slide12 : Only use “least” and “greatest” when comparing numbers. 50 basketballs is greater than 5 basketballs. “Smallest” and “biggest” are sizes, not values.
Slide13 : If you use “skip-counting” in your response, the skip-counting needs to be labeled:
“To solve, I counted by 5’s: 5+5+5+5+5=25” +4 +4 +4
2 6 10 14
Slide14 : “Show” through explanation how you got your answer so you can make your thinking more visible.
Slide15 : If you’re asked to estimate, exact calculations or “rounded” calculations do not get full credit.
Measurement Secrets : Measurement Secrets
Slide17 : Use appropriate labels.
Slide18 : Be careful when you read schedules and calculate elapsed time.
Slide19 : When working with money, use the term “least expensive” or “most expensive” rather than “cheapest” or “best buy.”
Slide20 : Select and use the appropriate units of measurement for the attribute to be measured.
*Length *Capacity
*Weight *Time
(standard & nonstandard units)
Slide21 : Select and use tools that match the unit chosen.
Geometric Sense Secrets : Geometric Sense Secrets
Slide23 : When you interpret and plot ordered pairs, remember the rules. A Plot the y axis first, then the x axis, separated by a COMMA. B C 1,4 4,2 5,6
Slide24 : Draw straight lines
Slide25 : Draw closed figures.
Slide26 : Know how to use, plot, and label a number line.
0 1 2 3 4
4 because the
arrows are only
on the even
numbers. Where would the next arrow be placed on the number line?
Probability and Statistics Secrets : Probability and Statistics Secrets
Slide28 : Make sure your graphs have a title, scale, category, and labels on both scale and category. Red Green Purple Our Favorite Colors 5
4
3
2
1
0 Number of Students Colors
Slide29 : Don’t confuse “mode” (most common number) with “most” (greatest number)
What is the mode?
35 52 35 35 22 45 35
40 35 47 65 35 35 35 35
Algebraic Sense Secrets : Algebraic Sense Secrets
Slide31 : Equation Example:
3 X n = 21
5 = 3 + ___ Expression Example:
2 x 5
33 + 22 Algorithm
Example:
57
+24 Equation Expression Algorithms will not receive a score when the item asks for an equation or an expression.
Solves Problems/Reasons Logically Secrets : Solves Problems/Reasons Logically Secrets
Slide33 : Prove your answer using evidence from text, charts, tables, and other data sets.
Communicates Understanding Secrets : Communicates Understanding Secrets
Slide35 : Use mathematical terms correctly –
“vertices” of a triangle, not corners.
Use the mathematical term that the prompt gives you. If it uses “horizontal” use “horizontal” and not “left-to-right.”
Looking for Clues. . . : Looking for Clues. . .
Slide37 : Bulleted items in the directions define steps for you to follow. Follow them!
They are there to HELP you!
Slide38 : The number of response boxes on an item indicates the number of steps to complete.
Follow them!
They are there to HELP you!
Slide39 : Bold or italicized words are important! Pay attention to them!
They are there to HELP you!
Math Comparison Secrets : Math Comparison Secrets
Slide41 : Comparison statements need to tell how something is alike and also how they are different Example:
An apple is like an orange because they are both round, but they are also different because an apple has smooth skin and an orange has creases in the skin. Name what you are comparing (Apple & Orange)
Do your best work every time, all the time! : Do your best work every time, all the time!