This document outlines an instructional workshop on strategies for preparing students to take the GED test. The workshop covers the basics of the GED, which assesses skills in four subjects using computer-based, standards-aligned questions. It discusses best practices for instruction including using authentic materials and promoting persistence. Participants learn about the test's focus on depth of knowledge, extended writing responses, and alignment to common core standards. They do hands-on activities matching test targets to standards and creating interdisciplinary lesson plans.

1. Exciting Strategies for 2014
GED® Test Prep Instruction
24 OCTOBER 2014

2. Presenter:
Meagen Farrell
Farrell Ink LLC

3. Instructional Designer & Author

4. Objectives
 Master Basics of the GED® Test
 Mix and Match GED® Test Assessment
Targets
 Explore at Least Ten Strategies for
Interdisciplinary Instruction

5. Our activities connect with the following
Research-Based Best Practices for Adult Literacy:
 Participate in and facilitate supportive
learning environments.
 Use authentic instructional materials.
 Promote learner persistence.
Source: A Framework for Program Improvements in Adult Literacy

6. Basics of the GED® Test
Four
Intertwined
Subjects
Standards-
Based
Computer-
Based
Depth of
Knowledge

7. What You Will Know?
 The motto of the Common Core State Standards is
“______er, _______er, ______er.”
 GED® Test items connected to the Depth of
Knowledge Levels: Level One: ____%
Levels Two & Three: ____% Level Four: ___%
 The GED® test includes writing:
 ____ min extended response in Reasoning through Language
Arts.
 ____ min extended response in Social Studies.
 ____ short answer responses in Science for ____ min each.

8. Four Intertwined Subjects
Reasoning
through
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Mathematical
Reasoning
©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

9. Content from Real Life Scenarios
Reasoning
through
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Mathematical
Reasoning
©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

10. Writing Constructed Responses
Reasoning
through
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Mathematical
Reasoning
©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

11. Interpreting Data
Reasoning
through
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Mathematical
Reasoning
©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

12. Standards Based:
(Sound Smart at a Cocktail Party)
STANDARDS
 A list of what students need to know and be able to do
in order to advance.
COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS (CCSS)
 Skills standards in English Language Arts &
Mathematics used by 47 states and territories.
 Motto: “Fewer, clearer, higher”
CONTENT STANDARDS
 Information students need to know in Science,
Social Studies, etc.
GED® ASSESSMENT TARGETS
 Selection of CCSS and national content standards
that are measured on the test.

13. Most Test Items Are Aligned To Both:
CONTENT TOPIC:
Life Science
SKILL STANDARD:
 SP.1.b: Determine the
meaning of symbols,
terms and phrases as
they are used in
scientific
presentations.

14. Computer-Based Testing Taking Skills
In addition to using a mouse, test-takers must:
 Scroll down a page
 Navigate between tabs to read pages
 Select answers from drop-down menus
 Drag-and-drop answers to a graph, chart or graphic
organizer
 Use a virtual calculator (TI-30XS)
 Type two short answers and two extended responses
 Use basic word processing tools (cut, copy, paste,
undo, redo)

15. Sample Test Item
©2013 GED Testing Service.

16. Depth of Knowledge
Measures cognitive
complexity of a task.
GED® test items:
 20% level 1
 80% levels 2 & 3
Similar to Bloom’s
Taxonomy.
1
• Verbatim Recall
• Paraphrasing
2
• Main point, patterns
• Identify relationships
3
• Inference & synthesis
• Prediction, elaboration
4
• Generating hypotheses
• Complex analysis
©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

17. Questions?

18. Find a Partner
 Take 5 minutes to discuss the GED®
test. Do you have any new insights for
teaching? What are the biggest impacts
on your students or your program?
 As a reminder, we discussed:
 Four Intertwined Subjects
 Standards-Based
 Computer-Based Testing
 Depth of Knowledge
©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

19. Implications for Instruction
 Who would like to share?
 Name one insight about teaching
 Name one implication for your students
 Name one effect on your program
©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

20. 10 MINUTE BREAK

21. MIX & MATCH
ASSESSMENT TARGETS

22. Let’s Take a Closer Look!
WE need to know the goals before we can help
students achieve them!
GED® ASSESSMENT TARGETS
 Selection of CCSS and national content standards
that are measured on the test.
 What will students be asked to DO? Skills.
 What do they need to KNOW? Content.
CCSS Motto: “Fewer, Clearer, Higher.”

23. Remember, Most Test Items Are Aligned To:
CONTENT TOPIC: SKILL STANDARD:
 SP.1.b: Determine the
meaning of symbols,
terms and phrases as
they are used in
scientific
presentations.
Life Science, Human Body & Health

24. Activity: Mix & Match
1. Select a subject (may re-arrange for at least 3-4
people per group).
2. Within your group, decide who will be recorder and
who will report back.
3. Take some time to skim the major categories in
each subject.
4. Select one content target AND one skill target
that your students need to know.
5. Share your decision with the large group.

25. Responses? Questions?

26. TEN STRATEGIES FOR
INTERDISCIPLINARY
INSTRUCTION

27. Remember, Four Intertwined Subjects?
Reasoning
through
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Mathematical
Reasoning
©2013 New Readers Press. Used with permission.

28. Five Interdisciplinary Activities
1. Activity 36: Using an Editing Checklist (p. 82-83,
192)
2. Activity 44: Graph a Text (p. 100-101)
3. Activity 29: Traits Web (p. 73)
4. Activity 6: Previous Lesson Review: Vocab (p. 42)
5. Activity 64: Computer Games: Seriously Fun (p.
138)

29. Your Turn!
20 minutes to create your own activities:
 5 minutes to brainstorm as many instructional
activities as you can to teach the content and skill
standard you selected. There are no bad ideas!
 5 minutes to narrow your list to your top five ideas.
 1 minute to select your top activity.
 9 minutes to create a very brief skit explaining or
modeling your activity.

30. Report Back: Skits!

31. QUIZ TIME!!!

32. What Do You Know?
 The motto of the Common Core State Standards is
“______er, _______er, ______er.”
 GED® Test items connected to the Depth of
Knowledge Levels: Level One: ____%
Levels Two & Three: ____% Level Four: ___%
 The GED® test includes writing:
 ____ min extended response in Reasoning through Language
Arts.
 ____ min extended response in Social Studies.
 ____ short answer responses in Science for ____ min each.

33. Quiz Answers
 The motto of the Common Core State Standards is
“______er, _______er, ______er.”
 GED® Test items connected to the Depth of
Knowledge Levels: Level One: ____%
Levels Two & Three: ____% Level Four: ___%
 The GED® test includes writing:
 ____ min extended response in Reasoning through Language
Arts.
 ____ min extended response in Social Studies.
 ____ short answer responses in Science for ____ min each.

34. Thank You!
 Please complete the evaluation!
 This workshop was developed with the support of The
Literacy Cooperative of Greater Cleveland.
GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education and
may not be used without permission. The GED® and GED Testing Service®
brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license.