Boosalis, Chris Nicholas : California State University
Summary
This concise text is designed to help pre-service and practicing teachers in California, Texas, New York, Arizona,
Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Oklahoma beat the reading-instruction portions of National Evaluation
Systems, Inc. exams for teacher certification.
The text offers universal test preparation that will vastly improve the experiences of thousands of test-takers
across the country. The content, constructed-response and multiple-choice strategies, and special time-management
models for each test are all research based, and candidates will learn what first-time test takers must know and
do for their specific exam to have the best opportunity to pass it on their first attempt.
Features :
Comprehensive and Powerful Test Preparation. The text covers case studies, constructed response essays, and
multiple-choice strategies not found in any other preparation book, along with carefully constructed time-management
models that show candidates how to reach the passing scores for their particular reading-instruction test.
Valid and Aligned Reading-Instruction Content. The core reading-instruction content assessed on these exams
has been identified and validated through separate explorations, making the information from this book easily transferrable
to any NES test of elementary reading instruction.
Genuine Strategies and Time-Management Methods. All of the case study, constructed-response, multiple-choice,
and time-management methods have been field tested with groups of real students facing real exams and subsequently
refined to ensure validity and ease in acquisition/application.
Sound Study Plans. A 30-day study plan included in the text will guide students from their first day of study
to the day of the exam. In addition, the study plan includes a powerful format for learning the state reading-insruction
standards, along with the core model of reading instruction. The study plan is flexible and can be adapted to any
student's individual schedule or modified to accommodate quarter, trimester, or semester class schedules.
Accessibility. The text and its methods, strategies, and content require no special capabilities on the part
of the candidate to prepare for these exams beyond the basic ability to apply oneself and study. Simplicity, effectiveness,
alignment, and ease in acquisition/application are the strongest points of this text.
Beating Them All! is free when packaged with any Allyn & Bacon education text. See your Allyn & Bacon/Longman
representative for details.
Table of Contents
Each chapter ends with "Conclusion."
Preface.
Dedication.
Acknowledgements.
1. Magic Scores.
What exam formats are covered?
How are the essays scored?
How are the multiple choice items scored?
What�s a magic score?
What�s my magic score?
The Overview of the Core Reading-Instruction Model.
2. Magic Content.
A Note About Tests with Written Portions.
A Note About Tests with Multiple Choice Sections.
How was the content developed?
The Core Model of Reading Instruction Explained.
Level One: Assessment Tools.
Level Two: Decoding (Kindergarten through Third Grade)
Level Three: Fluency.
Level Four: Comprehension.
Level Five: Oral and Written Language Development.
Level Six: Classroom and Unit Planning.
3. Magic Essays.
How was the content of chapter three developed?
Effective Written-Response Outlines.
Writing the Case Study.
Writing Lesson Plans for Decoding.
Writing Lesson Plans for Comprehension.
A Procedural Essay for a Cloze Activity.
A Justification for a Running Record.
4. Magic Bubbles.
Diagnostic Test.
Discussion.
Multiple Choice Strategies.
Using Tables to Answer Multiple Choice Questions.
Study Guides.
5. Magic Moments--Time-Management Strategies.
Methods for Written Exams with Multiple Choice Items.
The "One Pass" Method.
What are the benefits of "One Pass?"
The "Two Step" Method.
What are the benefits of the "Two Step" Approach?
Should I "One Pass" or "Two Step?"
The Multiple Choice Strategies.
The "Divide and Conquer" Method.
Benefits and Cautions of "Divide and Conquer."
The "Seek and Destroy" Method.
Benefits and Cautions of "Seek and Destroy."
The Time-Management Methods Illustrated.
6. The Magic Plan.
Materials.
A Four Week Plan.
Test Day.
Appendix A: Content Tables.
Appendix B: Standards Tables.
Appendix C: Data Sets.
Bibliography.
