(Pennsylvania Department of Education, et al. PSSA Classroom Connections: Aligning

Standards, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. )

Before taking the PSSA:

• Listen carefully to the lessons your teacher gives.
• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Don’t eat candy or other sweets before the test (these things can make it hard to concentrate).

While taking the PSSA:

• Keep a positive attitude.

• Make sure your name is on the assessment form.
• It is very important to read all of the directions first. If something seems unclear, you can ask questions about the directions.
• Before you begin answering questions, scan the entire assessment (there may be clues in other parts of the assessment).
• Check to see how many questions you will have to answer.
• Answer the easy questions first. Go back later to answer the more difficult questions. (Put a small mark near the questions you skip so you know which ones you have to go back to.)
• Try to answer all the questions. Remember, there may be clues in other parts of the assessment. Eliminate any answers that don’t make sense.
• Read all of the directions and answer choices carefully!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make sure you understand what the question is asking you.

After each part of the PSSA:

• Go back and check to make sure you answered all the questions (especially if you skipped any before).
• Go back and check your answers. You can always improve your essay and short answer questions if you have extra time.

• Encourage you children to read.
• Read aloud to them.
• Let them read to you.
• Talk about what they read.
• Take them to the library and get a library card.
• Have them read everything that is appropriate (books, magazines, cereal boxes, signs, labels, menus, etc.)
• Make reading an enjoyable experience.
• Set an example. Read in front of them.
• Provide a variety of reading materials.

• Encourage your children to write.

• Provide materials and opportunities for writing.
• Encourage them to write letters to family and friends.
• Listen to stories they have written.