Ready for Rica: A Test Preparation Guide for California's Reading Instruction Competence Assessment

I thought this book was a GREAT way to review for the RICA. I am sad to say that I think I learned more about teaching reading from this thin review text book than I did throughout my whole teacher education program (I won't say which University I am at!)! To get the most use out of this book here is what you should do. Set up a grid like the one I am going to try and explain to you how to make (see below) and then fill it out as you read. This book totally saved me and I passed the RICA and did very well on it (I got 4 pluses on the first two domains, and the case studies, and 3 pluses on the 3rd and 4th domains). GRID MAKING DIRECTIONS: 1) Your grid will have three columns and twelve rows. 2) The first row will be labeled like so (I will show each cell in between lines like this |xxxx|xxxxx|xxxx|): Area | How to teach it | How to test it 3) The different "areas" are listed below. Put each area name in a different row. - Phonemic Awareness (PH) - Concepts About Print (CAP) - Phonics and Word Identification (PHON & WRD) - Spelling (SPL) - Comprehension (COMP) - Literary Response (LIT RESP) - Content Area Literacty (CONT LIT) - Independent Reading (IND RDG) - Writing (WR) - Vocabulary (VOCAB) - Structure of English (STRUC ENG) 4) Now your grid will have each area listed but how to teach that area and how to test that area are blank. As you read the book fill in those two blank spots for each area and you will be all set. TRUST ME. THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT REVIEW FOR THE RICA. AND NOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO SPECIALLY USE THIS BOOK TO STUDY FOR IT YOU ARE ALL SET! GOOD LUCK!!

'Ready for RICA' was very useful in focusing my final review before taking the exam. The information is well-organized and presented in a logical and easy-to-retain format. I agree with others who have commented that 'Ready for RICA' does not place much emphasis on how to address the essays on the exam. Still, I found that the book discusses all of the necessary concepts and strategies that I needed to incorporate into my essay answers. I credit this book with my passing the RICA with no difficulty on my first try.

Ready for RICA is an extremely well organized, concise guide to help you prepare for the very tough RICA exam. The book is broken down into each of the content areas covered on the exam and gives you a quick yet thorough overview of what you need to know to pass the test. One of the most valuable parts of the book is the introduction and test-taking strategies section. All in all, I found Ready for RICA an effective prep guide for the exam--I passed on the first try.

Ready for RICA is a fantastic book. It is a simple, concise book that tells you exactly what you need to pass the RICA. Each section is well organized and easy to follow. I would only suggest that Mr. Zarrillo revise the sample questions in the next edition and make them a little more challenging. Otherwise, Ready for RICA was an outstanding bargain, and... I passed on the first try!!!

This book was instrumental in my passing the RICA at first try. The author has the unique ability to organize a rather complex subject matter into an easy to comprehend format. The book is invaluable in its matching of strategies to the varying tasks in literacy instruction. Further, Zarrillo familiarizes one with the terminology needed for the taking of the RICA. Beyond the lucid presentation of content, the test taking tips were extremely helpful. For instance, the book contains a plan as to how to budget your time on the test. It helped me to know wether I was within the prescribed limit and did much to lessen my stress during the actual test. Most notable to me was that a vast majority of people were standing outside the test site, holding Zarrillo's book, and looking it over once more before they had to put it away for the actual test. I knew then I had purchased the right study guide. Right now, I plan to utilize the book for my teaching career since it helps me to quickly locate the strategies I need for the different objectives. I believe that this book is a must have for any elementary school teacher.