Supplementary Vocabulary
The following list of words is a supplement for the brochure that is enclosed with
the report card. The EQAO provided a short list; this list is compiled by the staff at
Bayview Secondary School.
- Analyze: divide the topic into parts and explain the relationships or links among the parts.
- Compare: use examples to show how two things are both similar and different.
- Contrast: use examples to show how two things are different.
- Define: state the precise meaning of a word or a subject. Sometimes describing the class of things to which it belongs, its function, and how it is different from other things.
- Discuss: examine and analyze a topic from all sides in order to try to form a conclusion; state the pros and cons of a topic.
- List: provide an itemized record of examples, reasons, causes, or other details.
- Outline: give the main points, general principles or concepts, important details or characteristics of a subject.
- Prove: present facts and details that show clearly that something is true.
- State: use short sentences to present ideas on a topic.
- Summarize: state the main points in clear, concise form; restate the main points briefly.
Bayview's Literacy Strategies:
Some Suggestions for Fiction and Non-Fiction Reading
Grade 9 and 10 Reluctant Readers
Grade 9 and 10 Recommended Reading
Grade 11 and 12 Reluctant Readers
The possibilities for finding help are almost endless. The public library has a wealth of
material as well as information on the reading process. The internet is another vast network
of resources. The suggestions that follow are intended to help parents and students begin to
find the resources that will help them best. There is no single solution; it is important to
find the materials and resources that are most personally congenial.
General Reference
Our library (Bayview Secondary School) as well as The Richmond Hill Public Library provides
a gateway to a wide range of databases that may be helpful for students when studying and
doing homework. To access all the resources at RHPL it is prudent to join the library. The gateway
to news and current affairs begins at Richmond Hill Public Library. This site leads to such sources
as Canadian NewsDisc, netLibrary, The Globe and Mail, and The New York Times.
For Homework help click on Bayview's Homework/Research Help Link on our Home page under Students.
Homework help may also start at Richmond Hill Public Library. Similar gateways are found with the
Toronto Public Library and at Library Spot. The American Library Association
has a good site with many links.
TVO has a website with a number of interesting links.
TVO is opening a link called “eureka” to provide material directly related to the curriculum.
Non-Fiction Reading
Lists of non-fiction books abound. Again, the particular reading is less critical than the
approach to it: the Literacy Test will ask students to read, consider, and respond critically
to a selection. Students will be asked to write non-fiction items in the form of a news report, a
supported opinion and an information piece. Reading such things and discussing them with
others is a helpful way to become familiar with the way such writing “works”. This familiarity
will help students write these items on the test.
While searching the shelves in the library and at a bookstore is one way of finding material,
it may be helpful to focus attention by looking at lists of non-fiction writing. One such list
is available at Counterpunch.
Bookspot provides an overview of recommendations,
background, guides to genres and sources. Canadian sources
are found and at Canadian Literature Book Reviews.
Fiction
Preferences in novels and short stories are personal. Sometimes it helps to break out of
the usual round of favourite writers to try something new and exciting. Such a literary
adventure can rejuvenate reading interests. Among the lists of recommended novels available
on internet, a useful one may be found at U of T Bookstore.
The library sites mentioned in a preceding section also contain links to lists of novels and
short stories.
Miscellaneous
The Education Quality and Assessment Office dates its site
quite frequently and provides an FAQ (frequently asked questions) link.
If you have particular questions, please feel free to contact the school (905 884 4453) and
ask for a Vice-Principal or a member of the Literacy Committee. We will be pleased to help.
Reading and writing are skills that improve with practice and effort. We encourage students
to read and write often, and to ask for help to understand their current strengths and to find
strategies to improve areas of weakness.
Preparing for the Grade 10 Literacy Test
Student Resource and Practice Sheets-PDF
Rationale
From the Ministry documents:
- "All students…must successfully complete the provincial secondary school [Test of Reading and Writing Skills] to earn a secondary school diploma" (OSS 10)
- the test will "determine whether students have acquired the skills considered essential for literacy…[and] have attained the provincial expectations for literacy" (OSS 10)
- the "test requirement is additional to the 30 credits needed for a high school diploma" (Stepping Up! 12)
From the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), in January 2000:
- the test is based on expectations "common to all subjects in The Ontario Curriculum up to and including Grade 9"; all students will "write the same test" (with a parallel version in French); the "accurate and reliable information on student achievement in reading and writing…will help to improve learning and teaching in Ontario" (Bulletin p.2).
- Parents can "review the sample passage and sample questions…with your child"; encourage your child to get help…and to practise his/her skills in reading and writing" (Bulletin p.3).
- Students will have to demonstrate "the ability to read and understand written material…[and] to communicate information and ideas in writing" (Bulletin p.3).
- Website (for further information): EQAO
On the test, students will be asked to:
"read passages and then answer questions on what [has been] read." Three types of
questions will require: a short answer of word or phrase; or a short explanation; or
"be multiple choice where students will have to pick one of four possible
choices."
(EQAO Bulletin, February 2000)
Some Reading Strategies:
- Read! Read fiction (novels, short stories, and even the comics) and non-fiction (newspapers, pamphlets, magazine articles, instructions).
- Read together: reading with a toddler helped her/him gain the basic skills and develop vocabulary. Reading with an adolescent improves the skills. Even 30 minutes twice a week will help. Try to set aside particular times to read.
- Read everything: the test is based on reading skills (such as understanding, and drawing conclusions) in a wide range of material (including books, charts/graphs, reports, brochures, magazine articles, instructions).
- Read and go back sometimes to check that you understand the meaning of a passage. Try summarizing, or paraphrasing, the passage "so far". Make a timeline of events. Try to predict what will happen next. Ask "what do I think about…?", and find the support for your opinion in the passage.
- Read in a quiet place to help you concentrate.
- Read out loud. The sounds of words can sometimes help with their meaning.
- Read with a dictionary nearby and look up meanings you cannot "figure out" from the context.
- Read!
Follow instruction exactly.
Answer all the questions in all sections.
On the test, students will be asked to write:
- a summary
- a series of paragraphs expressing an opinion
- a news report
- an information paragraph
(EQAO Bulletin, June 2000)
Some Writing Strategies:
- Write! Letters, comments, reflections, directions, instructions, recipes all provide useful opportunities to practice writing.
- Write again. Writing is a skill. All skills need practice.
- Write for someone. Knowing the audience or reader will help you write appropriately.
- Get help from a friend, parent, an older brother or sister, neighbour. Ask that person to read and help improve a writing sample.
- Ask questions and answer them in written form. Discuss your answers with someone.
- Write to understand something new (or old), or to examine relationships among people, facts, ideas, and "issues".
- Write to communicate information to different audiences. How would you write effectively to a grandparent, a fellow student, a younger cousin, a neighbour or a police officer?
- Use the writing process: generate ideas, choose one, write a draft, find support, edit (revise), write a second draft, revise again, prepare a good copy, proofread. Send it to someone. Discuss it.
- Write!
Understand the forms of writing required on the test.
Support your opinions clearly.
Some suggestions:
Try to set some goals and meet them. For example
- Try to read one book that is not on the school curriculum each month.
- Write a letter to the editor of the newspaper about a local issue and send it in.
- Write down some strategies to help you stay on track with reading and then follow them.
- Keep your Grade 9 notes and summarize them.
- Research a topic of interest and tell someone about it, or write a summary of your findings.
- Review your Annual Education Plan (AEP)
Two critically important factors:
Analysis of the first set of student results from October 2000 show that many students need
to:
- pay close attention to the instructions and follow them exactly; and,
- provide enough information in the form requested.
Such attention to detail will help improve chances of success.
Sources for help
A wide variety of help may be located from a rich range of sources. The following
suggestions are intended to start the process. A supplementary list is also enclosed.
You may contact the school if you have particular questions.
- A good style guide will provide detailed help. The standard guide for academic humanities
studies is:
- Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (4th ed). New York: MLA, 1995. (
There is also a 5th edition now.)
Also helpful is:
- Luengo, Anthony, Canadian Writer's Companion. Scarborough: Prentice Hall Ginn, 1995.
Report of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, October 2002 (Bayview S.S.)
Results of the 2001-2002 Provincial Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics, (Bayview S.S.)
Literacy Test Links (EQAO - Education Quality and Accountability Office)
Web Sites
Bayview's Literacy Pages and Sample Exercises
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ayview Secondary School