Summary notes are included for the following topics.
Writing:
- Text types
- Sample writings with annotations
- Strategies and templates on how to approach the writing task
Reading:
- Characters
- Text types and audiences
- Extracting information
- Sample reading responses with annotations
- Strategies and templates on how to approach the reading task
Language Conventions:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Sample answers with annotations
- Strategies and templates on how to approach the language conventions task
- Assessment Methodology
- Assessment criteria
- Test types and the different assessment methodologies used
- Test taking strategies for multiple-choice questions
- Structure of multiple choice tests
- How to approach multiple-choice tests
- The process of elimination for multiple-choice questions and identifying distractors
- Common problems with multiple-choice questions and debunking common conceptions and myths
- Test taking strategies for open-ended questions
Structure: short-answer vs literacy writing task questions
- How to approach open-ended tests
- Common problems with open-ended questions
- Reducing test anxiety
- How to write under test conditions and finish on time: solving common problems that prevent students from achieving their best.
After the test : useful advice for students, teachers and other stakeholders
Practice Tests
Each book contains 12 practice tests including:
- two practice tests for Writing and Language Conventions
- four Reading practice tests for the Narrative, Recount, Expository and Informative stimulus text types
- two full-length sets of tear-out tests. Each set includes three tests, one for each area of study; Writing, Reading and Language Conventions. Students may use one set for practice, and one to hand in.
Lynne Marsh is our lead author for both of the Y7 and Y9 books, and joins us with a wealth of teaching and assessment experience from NSW. She has been a co-author of The Text Book series, several resources for The English Teachers Association, the NSW Department of Education and Training, and is currently teaching in NSW.
Wendy is an Education and Assessment Consultant who draws on diverse experience gained working at Curriculum Corporation, the Australian Council for Educational Research and as a teacher. Wendy has authored a variety of assessment materials and resources and has played key roles in national and jurisdiction assessment programs. Wendy worked with all Australian test administration authorities, as Assistant Project Director for the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), to ensure the successful implementation of the inaugural NAPLAN tests across Australia.
Virginia Ayliffe is a co-author on the renowned Shakespeare Unplugged series, which last year won the APA Educational Excellence award for best Secondary Series. She currently teaches at Somerville House in Queensland.
Julie Mitchell has authored and compiled several English texts, and has many years' experience teaching secondary English in Victoria. She has also written curriculum resources in the field of Values Education with Curriculum Corporation. She is now involved in teaching preservice teachers at the University of Melbourne.
Outlines the different writing task text types with annotations and scaffolded strategies
Worked examples for the Reading and Language Conventions sections
Includes two bonus detachable full-length tests – one for students’ practice and one to hand in. Produced on perforated paper, they allow for easy tear-out and can be used as formal assessment tasks
Advice on assessment methodology – how to successfully sit tests, identify different question types and answer test questions under time pressure
Graduated difficulty – the book is divided into tests that gradually increase in length, content and difficulty. Use it throughout the semester, not just before the actual test
No teacher preparation is required – students can write directly into the books
Glossary of key terms
Comprehensive practice questions and answered example responses
Great value – designed and priced to be used by each individual student