ACT Prep & College Essays Class Notes -- Week 2 (Aug. 29)

Greetings!

As with most of the classes this semester, we will cover a lot of material during the class time.  As I pace the class, I'm doing my best to avoid an information overload and yet cover important details.  For the first class of the day, the students have been attentive and engaged.

We started the day with a Quick Write ("Describe your dream job") and some Words of the Day (common usage errors found in student writing and that might appear in the ACT).  I will do these most weeks unless we have too much material to cover.  They are great warm-up activities, but some weeks we may need to jump right into the content of the test preparations.

Before we proceeded the bulk of our the content of the day, I walked the students through the My GradeBook site.  Some of them had already signed in.  If you or your student have not done that yet, go to this document, Instructions for My GradeBook,  for instructions.  As I told the students, they might never need to go to this site if they are keeping track of their homework.  However, if they are absent for a number of weeks or have forgotten if they have handed something in or not, this is a good place to find that information.  As parents, you can check it to see if work is getting in or to check on current grade status.  It is by no means required of students or parents to regularly check this online gradebook.

As we progress through the book Cracking the ACT, I will introduce and discuss the information in the relevant chapters, and then the students will read those chapters, do the sample problems, and complete the drills.   This week we worked through Chapters 5 & 6 that included strategies for taking the English portion of the test.  We did a couple of the sample test questions in class, but students should be sure to read through them again as they read the chapter.

This week we had only a small portion of time to talk about the SAT Essay.  Let me explain my reasoning for including this unit in this class.  Most of the test-taking strategies that we learn are also applicable to the SAT, so if students choose to take that test in addition to or instead of the ACT, they will be prepared.  The SAT Essay is markedly different from the ACT Essay, so I feel students will benefit from  some time spent on that.  Additionally, the SAT Essay requires students to analyze and evaluate a piece of writing, and these are important college-level skills for students to develop.  This week I explained the structure of the test and gave them a sample test question that includes an article by Jimmy Carter.  They are to actively read the article and mark the ways in which it is persuasive and effective.  This will include specific data, logical reasoning, and persuasive stylistic elements.

Below are the Assignments and Links for this week.  In the list of links I've also included some videos for the ACT English Test and the SAT Essay test.  Although these videos are optional, they would be really helpful to increase the students' knowledge of test taking strategies.

Assignments for Next Week (Sept. 5)

-- Read Chapters 5 - 6  (Remember to be active readers)

-- Make notes about confusing or troublesome portions in the chapters

-- Take the English Drill 1 (p. 54)

-- Correct the English Drill 1 (p. 384)

-- Review Persuasive Writing handouts

-- Read Jimmy Carter article and make notes on detail, reasoning, and persuasive style.

Links for This Week

Class Notes

Week 2 slides

Persuasive Writing Techniques

Ten Timeless Persuasive Writing Techniques

31 Powerful Persuasive Writing Techniques

Arctic National Wildlife (Jimmy Carter)

ACT Videos

3 Must Know Tips for English Test

4 Major Rules for Commas for the ACT

Number 1 Tip for the English Test

10 Quick Hints for the English Test

ACT Grammar Top Punctuation Rules

SAT Essay Videos

About the Essay  (Khan Academy)

Part 1 -- The New SAT Essay

Part 2 -- Know Persuasive Devices

Part 3 -- How to Read and Analyze the Passage

Part 4 -- How to Write the Essay

Have a beautiful Labor Day Weekend!

Mrs. Prichard

Where Will I Go?

1.    After high school, I’m interested in studying:

2.    The following schools interest me:

            (List at least 3)

1.    _______________________________________

2.    _______________________________________

3.    _______________________________________

4.    _______________________________________

5.    _______________________________________

The mid-range scores for my schools

School Name	Test Optional?	ACT Scores	SAT Scores	Essay Test Required?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

ACT Prep Class Notes -- Week 1 (August 22)

Greetings!

We had a full class time for our first day of ACT Prep and College Essays class.  We started the class with a cooperative game that I've played with other groups called group juggling (see this video).  Not only is it a good way to work on names, it also gave us some analogies about working as a team, communication, and goal setting.  I don't usually do cooperative games in class, but every now and then they serve a good purpose.  At the beginning of every class I usually start with a Quick Write, which is a short writing activity intended to get students thinking and then putting their thoughts on paper. The prompts can range from deep philosophical ideas to current events to light-hearted topics.  This week's prompt asked the students to write convincing arguments why they should be admitted to the exclusive "Awesome Problem Solving Club" and include specific contributions that they might make.  Their responses showed a wonderful blend of the practical skills, interpersonal abilities, and creativity that are in this group of students.

Most of the first week of class is spent introducing the class and handing out a number of papers to get us started. I begin every year with a Class Policies document, which lays out some guidelines for positive interactions in the class, homework guidelines, and communication resources.  I think that I forgot to mention to the students that they need to have you read and sign this and then bring it back to class next week.  It's pretty straightforward but feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

The next document was the Syllabus that lists the discussion topics and assignments for the semester.  The class is divided in half: preparing for the ACT and writing test and application essays.  Some days we might spend more time on one topic than the other, but students should use this as a reference, especially if they miss a week.

We are using the Cracking the ACT book published by Princeton Review, and for each section of the book, I will discuss the main points and work some sample questions in class.  This week I gave an overview of Chapters 1 - 4.  Their homework then will be to read the portions of the book just discussed, work through the rest of the samples, and complete the drills at the end of the chapter. In class this week we talked about note-taking and about being active readers.  (These are important study and learning skills that we will be working on throughout the semester.)  Students will also take practice tests for each of the sections (English, Math, Reading, and Science).   Because the students are reading the information AFTER it's been discussed in class, they should bring to class any questions about the reading or about troublesome topics that they need clarifying.

Assignments for Week 2 (Aug. 29)

-- Read Chapters 1 - 4

-- Be an active reader by highlighting and taking notes in your book 

-- Complete the "Where Will I Go?" worksheet

-- Read and have parent sign the Class Policies document

Links for This Week

Class Notes

Class Policies

Syllabus 

The New SAT

Top Tips for the SAT Essay

Google Drive Folder 

ACT Test Prep and College Essay Writing Syllabus

Week/Date	ACT Prep	Assignments	College Essay Writing	Assignments
Week 1 (8/22)	Introduction to the ACT—Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4	Read through Chapters 1 - 4 Sign up on the Princeton Review website “Where will I Go?”  Worksheet	Basic Rules of Writing	Writing Sample
Week 2 (8/29)	The ACT English Test – Chapters 5 & 6	Read Ch. 5 & 6 Take/Correct English Drill 1 Review Topics	Intro to the SAT Essay; SAT Writing Strategies
Week 3 (9/5)	The ACT English Test – Chapters 7 & 8	Read Ch. 7 & 8 Take//Correct English Drill 2 Review Topics Take Home English Test	Persuasive Writing; SAT Sample Prompt
Week 4 (9/12)	The ACT Math Test – Chapters 9 & 10	Read Ch. 9 & 10 Review Vocab. List Take/Correct Fundamentals Drill	SAT Sample Prompt; SAT Scoring	SAT Take Home Writing Test
Week 5 (9/19)	The ACT Math Test – Chapter 11	Read Ch. 11 Review Topics Take/Correct Algebra Drill	Intro to the ACT Essay ACT Writing Strategies
Week 6 (9/26)	The ACT Math Test – Chapter 12	Read Ch. 12 Review formulas & vocabulary Take/Correct Geometry Drill	ACT Sample Prompt
Week 7 (10/3)	The ACT Math Test – Chapter 13	Read Ch. 13 Take/Correct Word Problems Drill	ACT Sample Prompt
Week 8 (10/10)	The ACT Math Test – Chapter 14, 15, 16	Read Ch. 14, 15, 16 Take/Correct Trigonometry Drill Take/Correct Adv. Math Drill Take Home Math Test	In class ACT Writing Test & Take Home	ACT Take Home Writing Test #1
Week 9 (10/24)	The ACT Reading Test – Chapter 17 & 18	Read Ch. 17 & 18 Work Sample passage Take/Correct Reading Drill 1	Introduction to College Applications	ACT Take Home Writing Test #2 (opt.)
Week 10 (10/31)	The ACT Reading Test – Chapter 19	Read Ch. 19 Complete Sample Dual Passage Take/Correct Reading Drill 2 Take Home Reading Test	Finding your Hook
Week 11 (11/7)	The ACT Science Test – Chapters 20 & 21	Read Ch. 20 & 21 Take/Correct Drill 1 (p. 335)	Samples & Brainstorming
Week 12 (11/14)	The ACT Science Test – Chapter 22 & 23	Read Ch. 22 & 23 Take/Correct Drill 2 & Drill 3 Take/Correct Fighting Scientists Drill 1 & Drill 2	Peer Review	College Application Essay #1
Week 13 (11/21)	Review – Taking the Whole Test	Take Home Science Test	Samples & Brainstorming
Week 14 (12/5)	Recap – The Test Results	Take Home ACT Test #1	Peer Review	College Application Essay #2
Week 15 (12/12)	Reflection		Review & Reflection

ACT Prep & College Essays, 2019

Classroom Policies

Classroom Conduct

·        As we explore the topics in our literature selections and the various aspects of writing, we’ll engage in whole-class and small group discussions.  Be polite and respectful of each other’s time and comments.

·        We only meet once a week and need to make the most of our time.  Come to class prepared and with the appropriate materials (books, notebook, pens, etc.).  Avoid unrelated and unnecessary conversations and activities that will distract us from learning.  Turn off ALL electronic devices.  (They may be confiscated until the end of the CHAT school day.  Please see the CHAT Code of Conduct for specific guidelines.)

Communication

·        Weekly updates that include the material covered and upcoming assignments will be sent to the e-mail addresses that parents submitted when registering for the class.  I will also collect e-mail addresses from students.  I prefer to communicate via e-mail, but can be reached on my cell phone if the concern is urgent.  (507/581-0270)

·        I’m using two other on-line resources: a blog and Google Drive as a document storage site.  Here’s how they will work:

–  ACT Prep & College Essays Blog–The blog entries will contain the same information from the e-mail updates.  These entries will serve as a consolidation and reference for our weekly lessons for the semester.  Hopefully we can avoid forgotten assignments or missing e-mails.  If students or parents are unsure about an assignment, they have two places to go to find the information.

–  Google Drive –Most of the handouts will be available on a shared folder in Google Drive either as Word documents or PDF files.  Parents and students will receive an e-mail and be invited to view the “ACT Prep & College Essays Student” folder.  These documents can be downloaded and printed from home computers.

–  MyGradeBook – www.mygradebook.com. This is an online grade book on which I will enter the grades and scores for completed assignments.  Parents and students can log in to check progress.  Note:  Scores may not be immediately added to the website; feel free to contact me for any questions.

Homework Guidelines

·        Students will be assigned chapters in the Cracking the ACT after we’ve discussed them in class.  Each chapter has at least one drill that the student should complete.  In addition to a few short assignments, students will also take practice tests for each of the sections of the ACT and write practice essays.  These assignments should be handed in the week after they are assigned.  Unless arrangements have been made with Mrs. Prichard, any assignments handed in after this time will be considered late.  While a lot of grace and patience will be given for overdue homework, students must show effort and must communicate about any difficulties they are having.  Please see the Late Homework Guidelines below.

·        Keep on schedule with the reading assignments and the review topics.  Be active readers – the more you put in, the more ready you will be for the tests. 

·        Extra credit activities will be offered from time to time.  The thrust of these will be mostly “fun and interest.”  Even though the scores will be added to the cumulative scores for the class, they are not a substitute for regular assignments.

Late Homework Guidelines

·        Homework is most useful when it is completed by the due date. 

·        Any homework handed in more than 2 weeks late will not be scored.  For example, if a worksheet is assigned in Week 2 and due Week 3, it will not be accepted after Week 5.

·        If a student is absent due to an illness or family situation, parents should contact me.  Extensions       will be given in these circumstances.

Grading Policy

·        Accumulating points is the NOT an important aspect of this class.  My goal is that students grow as learners and are ready to take the ACT and  to write those college-related essays; this is not always reflected in classroom points.  However, points are a helpful indicator of diligence, improvement, and, to some extent, quality.

·        Points will be given in the following areas:

–  Quick Writes & Vocabulary Builders – 5 pt. /day.  These exercises at the beginning of each class will not be graded for content, but will receive points for participation.

–  Short assignments that include college search worksheets, interest surveys, brainstorming, etc. – points are dependent on the assignment.

–  Extra Credit – 2 – 10 pt. each, depending on the assignment.

–  Chapter Drills – 15 pt. for each

–  Practice ACT tests – 25 pt. per section

–  SAT and ACT practice essays – 25 pt. per essay

–  College Application Essay – 25 pt. per essay