MCAS Master Slides Core Mission:
MCAS Success
3rd Grade ELA Strategy Guide
Ready for Takeoff!
Pre-Mission Prep
Fuel Up
Eat a healthy breakfast so you feel satisfied and full all morning!
Power Sleep
Get a great night's sleep before the big day to recharge your brain.
On Time
Arrive at school on time so you don't feel rushed getting started.
Preview the Mission
Step 1: Look Ahead
Take a quick look at the questions (but NOT the answers) before you read the story.
Why? This helps you know what important details to pay attention to while you read!
TRICK ALERT!
Watch Out for Tricks!
Previewing helps you stay one step ahead of tricky questions.
Hunt for Bold Words
Key Word Hunt
Look for BOLD face words in the question. They tell you EXACTLY what to do!
"Which paragraph gives the best evidence..."
"Select two answers..."
"Which event happens first..."
Think First!
YOU HAVE
Take your time. The bold words help you know what they are asking for.
The Choice Attack
1
No Peeking
Answer on your own first WITHOUT looking at the choices!
2
Eliminate
Eliminate answers that you know are wrong or don't make sense.
3
Find Proof
Go back in the text and find evidence/proof for your answer.
Open Response Map
1
Underline every important item in the directions.
2
Reread the text carefully.
3
Go back and underline evidence/proof.
4
Plan your response before writing!
Make a Plan!
Flip the Script
If negative self-talk enters your brain...
STOP!
Flip the Script and tell yourself:
All that matters is that you believe in yourself and try your best.
Check Your Channel
CH. 1
Doing My Best MCAS
Reading carefully, hunting for proof, and thinking before clicking.
STAY HERE MOSTLY
CH. 2
Brain Break
Quick stretches, resting your eyes, and taking a 1-minute breather.
ONLY BRIEFLY!
Are You on the Right Channel for Your Mission?
Power of the Pause
Brain Breaks
At a good stopping point, take a 1-2 minute break to stay fresh.
Stretch your arms
Roll your shoulders
Rest your eyes
Recharge
A quick rest gives you
You Got This!
You have worked hard and you are ready to shine.
Hard Work
Total Prep
Best Effort
Mission Debrief
Any Questions?
Is there anything you are still wondering about for test day?
"There are no silly questions when we're prepping for a mission!"
Your Secrets
Do you have a strategy or tip that helps you succeed that we didn't mention?
Share your best tips with the class!
MCAS Strategy Teacher Guide Teacher Resource
MCAS Mastery Series
MCAS Master Facilitation Guide
Step-by-step facilitation for the Strategy Slideshow (11 Slides total).
Slide-by-Slide Facilitation
Slide 2: Pre-Mission Prep
Focus on the physical: breakfast and sleep. Remind students that their brain is a muscle that needs fuel and rest to perform.
Slide 3: Preview the Mission
Model looking at questions *without* looking at choices. Ask: "What do we need to find?" to build a mental focus.
Slide 4: Hunt for Bold Words
"Bold words are instructions."
Emphasize BEST and TWO . These are the most common places 3rd graders lose points by not following directions.
Slide 5: The Choice Attack
Answer Before Selecting
Teach students to cover the screen choices. If their brain's answer matches a choice, they've likely found the right one.
Slide 6: Open Response Map
Stress the importance of the plan. "Writing is the last thing you do; thinking and evidence-hunting come first."
Slide 7: Flip the Script
Mindset Reset
Teach the "Stop and Flip" method. If a negative thought enters, tell it to "STOP!" and replace it with "I can do this." Remind them effort is what counts.
Slide 8: Check Your Channel
Metaphor: The TV remote.
Explain that our brains have "channels." Channel 1 is for 100% effort. Channel 2 is for rest. Switching intentionally is key.
Slide 9: Power of the Pause
Encourage 1-minute brain breaks between passages. Switching to the "Break Channel" briefly is healthy—as long as they switch back!
Slide 10: Final Encouragement
"The score is a number, but your effort is what defines you. Shine bright!"
Slide 11: Mission Debrief
Student Input
Use this to gather student questions and strategies. Ask: "What's a 'Secret Weapon' strategy you use?" Validate their creative test-taking ideas.
The "All Day" Mindset
The most important message for students who rush: You have ALL DAY. There is no prize for finishing first.
Target Time
2+ Hours
Passages
Take Breaks
Evidence
100% Proven
Test Day Strategy Checklist MCAS Success Mission
Follow your strategy map and do your best work!
Name:
Date:
Mission Readiness
Great sleep & healthy breakfast.
Stopped & Flipped negative self-talk.
Checked my channel (Best vs. Break).
I believe in myself & my hard work!
Evidence Hunt
Hunted for BOLD words.
Found the BEST paragraph for proof.
Double-checked for TWO answers.
Matched my proof to my choice.
The Strategy Attack
Answered BEFORE looking at choices.
Eliminated WRONG answers first.
Used my brain break to recharge.
Underlined important directions.
My Mindset Pep-Talk
"All that matters is that I believe in myself and try my best."
Mission Ready!
You are ready
MCAS MASTER STRATEGY GUIDE
