Reading Comprehension – Rock ’N Learn

Reading Comprehension

Marko the Pencil’s test-taking strategies help students stay calm and relaxed, knowing they have the tools to do their very best on a standardized reading test. Students learn the tricks to help them read a passage for meaning, underline key words, eliminate poor choices, and determine the best answers. This animated pencil may be a No. 2, but he will help make any student Number One!

Grade 3 (Also useful for grades 2 & 4)
Approx. 46 minutes.



DVD Video	$19.99	RL200

Nobody's sharper than Marko the Pencil when it comes to helping students learn to read for meaning and prepare for tests. His tips are super-effective and his outrageous antics keep students on task. With Marko's guidance, students ace a practice test by learning how to read passages, find key words, and determine the best answers.

A team of teachers—who consistently get superior performance from their students on standardized tests—helped us create this DVD. We carefully examined reading tests in several states to identify winning strategies for boosting scores and reducing anxiety.

Let’s face it: preparing for state-mandated tests is not a favorite activity of teachers and students. But there’s no reason it can’t be fun when you have an entertaining character—one who knows exactly how to connect with kids. That’s why we’re so pleased to have Vic Mignogna playing the voice of Marko the Pencil. Vic is well known for his award-winning acting in anime cartoons and video games. Vic won Best Actor, 2007 American Anime Awards.

As a special reward at the end of Reading Comprehension, Marko makes an appearance at the Golden Stylus Comedy room to show just how sharp he can be! His kid-friendly jokes will have everyone laughing. Kids love telling jokes to others, and Marko has some of the best school-related jokes on the planet.

Included with Reading Comprehension, you get Marko’s cool website where you can download a practice test and answer key, learn more tips for doing well on standardized tests, and check out other helpful tools for scoring high on a reading test. Until Rock 'N Learn Test-Taking Strategies, there has not been a highly entertaining DVD program that helps students overcome frustration and get totally prepared for a standardized reading test.

As with all Rock ’N Learn programs, we want you to be completely satisfied with Reading Comprehension . That’s why we offer an easy money-back guarantee when you order directly from us if you are not 100% satisfied. It’s part of our outstanding commitment to customer service, and why we’ve been in business for over 20 years.

Get started right now helping your child or students build confidence and develop the skills for success on a standardized reading test.

Reading Comprehension includes:

• Reading Comprehension
• Identifying the Main Idea
• Using Context Clues
• Making Inferences
• Recalling Details and Sequencing
• Drawing Conclusions
• Following Directions
• Mastering Standardized Tests
• Bonus: Marko’s Jokes at the Golden Stylus Comedy Room

Tests make some students extremely nervous, but the test-taking strategies offered by Marco the animated pencil will make them seem less daunting. Among the useful tips are reading the questions before you read the text, underlining, and looking for clues to answer the questions more effectively. Marko also offers relaxation tips. When a practice test is given, Marco hovers close by, helping youngsters apply the skills he has taught. Neatness counts, and Marko stresses that mistakes must be completely erased. Music and humor will engage viewers. The review at the end covers all the test-taking strategies , and while the credits roll, Marco does a standup routine that includes jokes and riddles. A good choice for use in classrooms and at home.—Review from the School Library Journal Mercedes Smith, Kernan Trail Elementary School, Jacksonville, FL April 2008

Test-taking skills are increasingly important as high-stakes testing becomes the norm. This program teaches students solid test-taking strategies in the subject area of reading. Computer-generated 3-D animation introduces a young girl about to take a test, and her test mentor, Marco the Pencil. Marco is enthusiastic, optimistic, and chock full of testing tips. He recommends reading the questions first, then reading the selection while looking for the answers required. He suggests reading all possible answers before choosing the correct one, and using inference skills when necessary. Marco then walks viewers through three passages and the questions that go with them, while applying the skills he has discussed. Along the way, students are reminded to be neat and to erase completely when necessary. The strategies are solid and would be useful in test-taking. Unfortunately, this method encourages underlining, numbering, and putting an "x" behind each incorrect answer. Since writing on tests is sometimes prohibited, this might confuse some students. Still, for classroom reading comprehension tests, this method would be very useful and could be adapted for other testing situations. Students will enjoy the occasional light humor and appreciate the program's clear, specific content. The review at the end covers 13 test-taking tips, and if you hang around during the credits you get to hear Marco's comedy routine, consisting of very bad riddles. While not perfect for all test-taking situations, this program presents some important skills in an interesting way, and would help to relieve students' testing anxiety —Review from the School Library Journal Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA August 2007

This product had very good educational content. It accurately reflected the test-taking strategies my daughter learned in third grade last year. It even used the same terminology! —reviewer for iParenting Media Award

What an interesting concept. As a tragic test taker, myself, I know the anxiety it can bring. What a great way to get the "point" across to the kids at a young but vital age. Here in Texas they are taking some major tests at this age, and this would help calm their nerves and help them carry some strategies with them. —Carol P.

“This is a unique and clever approach for grabbing the attention of students, showing them excellent test-taking strategies, leading them through an actual practice test, and giving them practice at reading for meaning. Marko’s ‘best tip of all’ towards the end of the program may just be the key to solving one of the biggest challenges facing the education of our youth in today’s overly wired world.” –Robert L.

“A spectacular and brilliant way to get students ready for standardized reading tests!” –Carolina E.

“Truly a first-of-its-kind product for those who need an effective way to get students to learn the skills for scoring high on a standardized reading test.” –Jamie M.