M-step pre-test for Ms. Latoria's 3rd graders

​Today, we will go over some things that I've noticed that you struggle with in your writing. This is some important information that can make your writing even better.

It's up to you to remember and use what you've learned. Ready or not but it's time to show what you're capable of doing. Pay close attention and give it your all.

Remember, the more we practice and apply what we've learned, the stronger our writing will become. So, let's dive in, stay focused, and let our creativity shine!"

Read to yourself​
Today, I am unstoppable. I am capable, I am determined, and I am ready to conquer any challenge that comes my way. With hard work and perseverance, I can achieve my goals.

"If you believe in yourself, stand up and say, 'Yes, I can!'"

By Latoria Nicole

A well-written essay:  

• shows understanding of the text 

• uses details from the text for support 

• is organized with an introduction and conclusion 

• uses transitions and clear language 

• follows rules of spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Multiple Choice

Before you answer:

Break it Down: Start by breaking the word into syllables or smaller phonetic parts.

1. Sound it Out: Pronounce each syllable or phonetic part slowly and carefully, paying attention to the sounds you hear.

2. Match Sounds to Letters: Match the sounds you hear to letters or letter combinations that commonly represent those sounds.

Question 1: Spelling Choose the correctly spelled word:

• a) Neighbour

• b) Neighber

• c) Neighbor

• d) Nabor

Multiple Choice

Spelling Choose the correctly spelled word:

• a) Accomodate

• b) Acommodate

• c) Accommodate

• d) Acomodate

​Punctuation:
Let's say you're telling your friends about your favorite fruits. You might say, "I love apples, bananas, and oranges." Now, when we write this down, we use commas to separate the fruits.

So, when you say, "I love apples," that's one fruit you love. Then, you say "bananas." That's another fruit you love. Finally, you say "oranges." That's the last fruit you love. The commas help us know where each fruit you love starts and ends.

So, the commas in "I love apples, bananas, and oranges" help us understand that you love three different fruits. We add a comma and then the word and before the last fruit to clearly indicate that "bananas" and "oranges" are two separate items in the list. It helps to avoid any confusion and makes the meaning of the sentence clearer.

Multiple Choice

Punctuation Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• a) I love dogs cats and birds.

• b) I love dogs, cats, and birds.

• c) I love dogs, cats and birds.

• d) I love dogs cats, and birds.

Multiple Choice

Punctuation Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• a) The sun shines bright and hot.

• b) The sun shines, bright and hot.

• c) The sun shines bright, and hot.

• d) The sun shines bright and, hot.

Multiple Choice

Question 2: Punctuation Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation:

• a) She danced sang and played.

• b) She danced, sang, and played.

• c) She danced, sang and played.

• d) She danced sang, and played.

Imagine you're playing a game of hide and seek. When you're looking for someone, you might say, "Where is he?" or "Where is she?" instead of saying the person's name every time. That's kind of like how pronouns work!

Pronouns are words we use to take the place of a noun, like someone's name, "he," "she," "they," "it," or "we." They make our sentences shorter and easier to say. Instead of saying "Sarah went to the store," we can say "She went to the store."

So, pronouns are like little shortcuts we use in our sentences to talk about people or things without saying their names over and over again. They help make our sentences smoother and more fun to say!

Multiple Choice

Identify the subject pronoun in the sentence: "She loves to read."

• a) She

• b) Loves

• c) To

• d) Read

Multiple Choice

Which pronoun can you use to talk about a boy?

• He

• She

• They

Multiple Choice

What pronoun can you use instead of "the dog" in the sentence: "The dog barked loudly."

• He

• It

• They

Multiple Choice

What pronoun can you use to talk about yourself and someone else?

• We

• You

• I

Multiple Choice

How would you correctly punctuate the sentence "I'm going to share with you what I learned about Cardi, Nicki, and Gloria"?

• a) I'm going to share with you what I learned about, Cardi, Nicki, and Gloria.

• b) I'm going to share with you what I learned about Cardi, Nicki, and Gloria.

• c) I'm going to share with you what I learned about Cardi Nicki and Gloria.

• d) I'm going to share with you, what I learned about Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, and Gloria.

Multiple Choice

How would you correctly punctuate the sentence "Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are basketball legends, but many consider Michael Jordan the best of all time"?

• a) Michael Jordan, LeBron James and, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are basketball legends, but many consider Michael Jordan the best of all time.

• b) Michael Jordan LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are basketball legends but, many consider Michael Jordan the best of all time.

• c) Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are basketball legends, but many consider Michael Jordan the best of all time.

• d) Michael Jordan LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, are basketball legends but many consider Michael Jordan, the best of all time.

Remember, a well-written essay:  

• shows understanding of the text 

• uses details from the text for support 

• is organized with an introduction and conclusion 

• uses transitions and clear language 

• follows rules of spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Open Ended

Read story and state your opinion. Indent, start with an introduction, give three reasons, and wrap up with a conclusion.

Once upon a time, in the lively halls of Francis Reh School, MaKayla was all set for her big adventure in 4th grade. She skipped into her classroom with a heart full of excitement, ready for new friends and fun learning.

But something felt a bit off. Her best friend, Lily, wasn't in the same class. Lily had to stay back in 3rd grade, and MaKayla missed her terribly. They couldn't sit together at lunch or play during recess like before.

The school had new rules this year. 4th graders couldn't eat with 3rd graders anymore. MaKayla wished things could go back to the way they were. She wanted Lily by her side again.

But MaKayla remembered something her teacher said: "We have to try our best, no matter what!" She realized that even though things were different, she could still make new friends and have fun learning in 4th grade. And maybe, just maybe, Lily could join her next year if she tried her best too.