Saturday, February 25, 2012

Putting the Magic in Test Prep Part 2

                                                                   Click Cover to Purchase

I've been trying to get my students ready for the test writing prompt. I'm using Barry Lane's videos as writing exercises. These videos really focus on improving student's  style and voice points. Everyday I show a video from his channel.  Then I  have the students complete the writing printable I created for the videos. I have used zamzar.com to convert the videos to wmv and save to my flash drive. (For those teachers without YouTube access at school.)  Click HERE or the pictures for a free copy of the writing printables.

DAY 1 Who Grades the Test
DAY 2 Snapshot
 

Day 3 Come With Me!

Day 4 and 5 Find Your Own Truth
Barry Lane has a great book,Hooked on Meaning: Building Strong Writers, available at his website. As a matter of fact, all his books are amazing.

For more great test prep ideas, check out my blogging buddy, Teaching in Room 6!  She has a ton of test prep freebies. 
As always, I would love it if you followed my blog. Good luck as you continue to create magic in the classroom!


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11 comments:

  1. Amy BaysFebruary 25, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    Thank you so much for posting this. I have sent my boss an e-mail begging for him to purchase Hooked on Meaning and Ba-Da-Bing for our school.
    Quick question: Where can I find Part I of Putting the Magic in Test Prep?

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  2. SelinaFebruary 26, 2012 at 6:06 AM

    Amy,

    I'm so happy you found this helpful. Part 1 was more of a winter activity. I plan to make more printables to go with Barry Lane's online videos (Maybe even today). Here's my email (selinasmith479@gmail.com). Email me your email address, and I will send them to you when I've got them finished. I'm using this video series as a refresher course before the test. This is the link to part 1: http://classroommagic.blogspot.com/2012/01/puttting-magic-in-test-prep-part-1.html

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  3. mrspFebruary 26, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    I remember seeing directions to download to zamzar..could could you walk me through once more? I believe you said that it is emailed..how long is the trn around tiem?

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    1. SelinaFebruary 26, 2012 at 12:00 PM

      Click on the YouTube logo in the lower right hand corner of the video. It will then take you to the video and copy the address from the address bar. Go to zamzar.com Click URL and paste in the address. On step 2 choose wmv (some people can use flv but it doesn't work for me at school), Step 3 type in your email. Step 4 click Convert. A box will pop up and you need to click OK. Don't close out of the website until downloading is complete. In a few minutes they will send you a link to the converted video. Save to your computer or flash drive. You only have 24 hours to download after they send you the link. Let me know if you still need help. I can make a video tutorial for you.
      Selina

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  4. UnknownFebruary 26, 2012 at 11:48 AM

    this is a very useful post!!!! is there a large selection of videos??

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    1. SelinaFebruary 26, 2012 at 12:02 PM

      Yes, he has numerous videos. He also has a DVD in his book and it is great, too. I can't believe how generous he is to give the videos away for free online.

      Selina

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  5. JanaFebruary 26, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    Great post! Just what I needed right now. I have been looking for different ways to review writing before our big state testing in a few weeks. Thanks for sharing! I am on my way to buy the book.

    Thinking Out Loud

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    1. SelinaFebruary 26, 2012 at 12:54 PM

      Thanks, Jana! I'm glad you are buying his book. I noticed that Barry Lane started following my blog(OMG!!), and it made me second guess this post. I certainly hope I gave him enough credit, and inspired people to buy his book. I have all of his books, and love using his ideas in my classroom.

      Selina

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  6. Sonja McGinnisFebruary 27, 2012 at 7:10 PM

    Hi Selina- I just used two videos today. The one where he describes the other side of the rainbow and his video on his favorite day of the week. Thank you for posting these! Our writing test is next week and this is just the boost my kids needed! The students were on pins and needles during the rainbow story. Thank you and thanks to Barry Lane too! Have you ever read his other books?

    Sonja

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    1. SelinaFebruary 27, 2012 at 7:15 PM

      I'm so happy to hear they enjoyed it! I have all of Barry Lane's books. He has some great ideas for writing teachers. Gook luck on your state exam!!!! We don't take our test for another 6 weeks.

      Selina

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  7. Ms.M from TeachingisagiftApril 6, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    Great post! Found this through Pinterest! I already invited Stephanie too! Please consider accepting my invitation to link up your great blog post at the TEST PREP LINKY PARTY being hosted at
    http://teachingisagift.blogspot.ca/2013/04/test-prep-linky-party.html.
    Sidney
    Teachingisagift

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