Greetings!
I began the class with a short writing task. I asked the students to answer these 3 questions: 1) What are colleges looking for? 2) What do you have to offer to a college? 3) How can you best demonstrate who you are to a college? After the students took some time to write their responses, we discussed the first question. Their comments included such characteristics as dedicated, hard-working, committed, academically prepared, unique, etc. As we progress to the application essay, later in the semester, we will discuss how the students can write about themselves in such a way that colleges will want them as part of their student bodies.
We've started on the Math section of the ACT and worked through Chapter 11, "No More Algebra." In this chapter, the writers gave us strategies for answering some kinds of problems without specifically using algebra skills. By using ballparking (a strategy from Ch. 10), POE (process of elimination), Plugging In (choosing workable numbers for variables) and PITA (plugging in answer options into equations), students can often solve problems more quickly. As I've stated multiple times in class, the #1 enemy in the whole ACT test-taking process is the lack of time. If students can employ some test-taking strategies that will buy them time, they will have more time for harder questions and will more likely raise their scores.
Following our work with the ACT Math prep, we talked about the SAT Essay. I shared with them the parameters/rubric used for scoring the test. The SAT Essay is scored in 3 categories: Reading, Analysis, and Writing. Scores range from 1 to 4 and 2 readers will score every essay. The scores are added, so the student can score between 2 and 24 points on the SAT Essay. For next week, students are to take home the SAT #1 Take Home test that they did for this week, and using the scoring definitions and the samples of scored essays, they are to score their own essays. They are also to take SAT #2 Take Home Essay.
Note: In the section below of helpful links, I've included links for some helpful math-related videos and for a link to the ACT policy about calculators. If a student is reading through the Cracking the ACT book and finds that he/she needs more explanations or more practice, theses links would be really helpful.
Assignments for Next Week
-- Read Ch. 11 "No More Algebra"
-- Take the Algebra Drill (p. 130)
-- Correct the Algebra Drill
-- Read handouts about scoring the SAT and sample essays
-- Score your SAT #1 essay
-- Take SAT #2 Take Home Essay
-- Extra Credit -- Score SAT #2
Links for This Week
Class Notes
Helpful Math-related Videos
Note: Some of the videos are short explanations of strategies, and some are instructional videos that go through actual past tests. There are also links for information about calculator policies and calculator use.
ACT Calculator Policy (pdf)
ACT Math Calculator Skills (6:46)
Here ACT/SAT Prep (10:27)
15 Concepts you need to know
ACT Math 2018 (act.magoosh.com) (7:30)
Strategies and common types of problems
Using the Answer Choices
ACT Math Practice Test 1 (1:16:19)
Actual Problems from the Official ACT Prep Pack 2019-2020
Note: The instructor in this video uses his calculator a lot, so if you are unfamiliar with various possibilities of your calculator, this would be a good video to watch to help you become more familiar.
Detailed explanations of problems from an ACT Math test
ACT Math Test Prep Part 1 (2:18:03)
ACT Math Test Prep Part 2 (1:30:36)
ACT Math Test Prep Part 3 (1:39:58)
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