FirstFind.org (www.firstfind.org) is an online library resource that can help users build their skills and find ways to help themselves and their families. FirstFind.org can be accessed from a home computer. 

The GET YOUR GED/TASC section includes:  

● information about the TASC Connect! tutoring program. ● general information about the TASC exam. ● other ways to get a High School Diploma. ● the Learning Express Library instructional platform. ● “Skills Review” skill building exercises. ● “Ready for the test?” test preparation materials. ● information and skill building exercises for Spanish 

speakers. 

SKILLS REVIEW   This section links to online resources and practice exercises (including answer keys) to help develop the skills needed to pass each of the five TASC exams.  Reading ­ Links to complete reading courses, vocabulary development tools, and sites including Learning Express Library, Townsend Press Learning Center and The Times in Plain English.   Writing ­ Links to grammar review and essay writing tools including Learning Express Library.  Math ­  Links to courses, offered by Learning Express Library and other online resources, as well as a sequence of skills needed to pass the TASC Math Exam.  Each topic links to websites providing explanations and practice exercises, quizzes and practice exercises. Khan Academy, an online resource offering short videos with simple explanations of math concepts and practice exercises, is linked to most sections. 

 Science ­ Links to materials covering science basics (life science, biology, earth science and chemistry), Learning Express Library and other online resources. Glossaries are included.  Social Studies ­ Links to materials covering topics including government, economics, history, and geography on Learning Express Library and other online resources. Glossaries are included.  Charts & Graphs ­ Review of the types of graphs and charts that appear on the exam and how to read them.  READY FOR THE TEST?  This section of FirstFind.org includes practice exams, the TASC math formula sheet, instructions for using the TI 30XII calculator  and an explanation of how to answer questions using the grid format.  TASC Connect! February 2016 

Learning Express 3.0 What is Learning Express? Learning Express is an online interactive library with a collection of practice tests and skills tutorials for students of all ages. Go to FirstFind.org. Click on the Get your GED/TASC > Learning Express Library > Learning Express 3.0 The first time on Learning Express you will need to click on Register.

Complete the form. Username: enter your email address [or Register without Email or Get Email] Password: create a password Re-enter password: type your password again First name: type your first name After you’ve registered you will be able to just click Login and enter your username and password. Choose Your Center … Content on Learning

Express is divided into Centers. Click the blue arrows on either side to browse options. Hover over a center for a short description, or click to enter. From a specific Center, a student chooses courses, tests, and practices to create their own study plan.

Within each center you can access all related tutorials, practice exams, eBooks, and other resources. The Prepare for TASC section of the High School Equivalency Center in Learning Express Library includes Practice Questions in Math, Reading, Writing, Social Science and Science Practice When you click on a

Practice Question set, you will have to pick from one of 3 modes: Simulation—you will be timed like a real test, Practice—the answer explanations are given after you finish the practice set, Learner—you see the answers to each question as you go along to help you study.

Or, click on Build Your Basic Skills before trying the practice questions to review skills in Reading, Writing, Math, Grammar, Vocabulary and Spelling.

February 2016

McGRAW HILL RESOURCES

Students in the TASC Connect! program will be assessed using the TABE (Test

Assessing Basic Education). Tutors will be using McGraw Hill’s Reading Basic reading

and Number Power math materials that correlate with reading and math levels indicated

by the TABE. Materials and study plans will be provided to the tutors by the TASC

coordinators.

Reading Basics materials are available at 4 reading levels (introductory, intermediate

1, intermediate 2 and advanced). Students are assigned a level based upon the results

of the TABE. Materials for each level include:

● Instructor’s guide - lesson plans, exercises and answer keys

● Reader

● Workbook

● Website (www.mhereadingbasics.com) - associated language development

activities, answer keys and self assessment materials

The Number Power workbook series targets specific math skills including:

● Operations involving whole numbers

● Fractions, decimals and percents

● Measurement

● Graphs, tables and schedules

● Statistics and probability

● Patterns, functions and algebra

February 2016

RESOURCES: KHAN ACADEMY VIDEOS

Almost every subsection in the Skills Review: Math section of FirstFind.org includes a

link to Khan Academy videos providing instruction on a specific mathematical topic.

While you can link directly to Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org), it is easier to link

from the FirstFind math section which does not require registration

The materials below are linked from the Skills Review Math section on fractions.

February 2016

RESOURCES: STUDY GUIDES

Kaplan’s TASC review is a comprehensive resource for students reading at a ninth

grade level. It includes pretests (answers and explanations included), lessons and

exercises (answer and explanations included) and practice tests in all TASC subject

areas.

The McGraw-Hill Spanish edition of the TASC preparation series is due to be released

in April.

Books are available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

February 2016

TOWNSEND PRESS LEARNING CENTER

Townsend Press is a publisher of educational and recreational reading materials aimed

at helping teens and adults become better readers. The online Learning Center was

created to complement its textbooks, however, the materials can benefit our students.

Register (it’s free) for the Townsend Press Learning Center at

http://www.townsendpress.net/home. Select “Create a student account”.

The site includes interactive writing, reading and vocabulary materials and access to

ebooks for skill building.

May 2017

RESOURCES: THE TUTOR WIKI

The WLS wiki (http://firstfind.org/wiki) is a repository of TASC information and

instructional resources for the tutor. The wiki is not password protected however, tutors

must login in order to post.

Check out the tabs on the home page for:

● TASC Information - find out about our program, TASC and ESL classes in

Westchester, the TASC exam application process

● Math - links to complete math courses, and websites, including Khan Academy,

that provide tutorials on specific math concepts, worksheets and answer keys for

each mathematical topic

● Reading, Writing, Essay Writing & Grammar - find links to useful websites, test

preparation materials, worksheets and answer keys

● Resources for Spanish speakers - information about the TASC exam, where

Spanish speakers can find help, review materials in Spanish

● One-to-One Resources

● Tutor Manual