Greetings!
We had a full class this week. We started the class with some Words of the Day. I have a list of the top 50 SAT words. While the ACT does not have a dedicated section for vocabulary, the sections use words commonly found in first-year college level writing. As we discuss the individual words, I usually pull out Latin or Greek words and discuss related words in an effort to not only expand our vocabulary but also to build word-decoding skills.
The next portion of the class was spent talking about the basics of writing an essay. Both the SAT and ACT have an essay portion for which student will show that they know how to write a standard essay. We covered the types of paragraphs required (introduction, body, and conclusion), the elements of the introduction (hook, thesis, road map/plan of development), and body paragraphs. This was a brief introduction to the ACT essay, into which we will dive more fully in the coming weeks. One of the homework assignments includes reading the chapter on the essay test.
This week we worked through Chapters 7 & 8, which are primarily reviews of common grammar topics found in the ACT and examples of some of the rhetorical questions that they will encounter in the English section of the test. These topics included verbs, passive voice, pronouns, possessive, and contractions. We used the 5-Step Basic Approach as we worked through the sample problems in the book:
- 5-Step Basic Approach
Step 1: Identify the Topic (see p. 35)
Step 2: Use POE
Step 3: Use the context
Step 4: Trust your ear, but verify
Step 5: Don't fix what isn't broken.
Another important set of guidelines to remember when taking the English Test are the 4 Cs: Complete, consistent, clear, and concise.
The biggest assignment this week is to take the ACT Practice English Test. At the end of the book are 4 - 6 practice tests (depending on the version of the book you purchased.) For the practice tests assigned in class, students should use the first exam. Students need to set aside 45 minutes to take this test and should try to mimic a test-taking environment as closely as they can: sitting upright at a table/desk, brightly lit room, minimal sound and visual distractions, etc. In addition to taking the practice test, they must correct it using the key at the end of the test. This is an important step -- learning what you did wrong and why is more important than doing it the right way! I'm assigning it this week, but it doesn't need to be handed in for 2 weeks.
Assignments for Next Week:
Read through Chapters 7 & 8 (Be an active reader!)
Especially read the practice/example questions & explanations
Review the Summary at the ends of each chapter
English Drill 2 on p. 70 - 71. (Answers in Ch. 25, p. 385)
Rhetorical Skills Drill on p. 84 - 85 (Answers in Ch. 25, p. 387 - 388)
Review the following topics as needed:
Verbs, indefinite pronouns, prepositional phrases, apostrophes, transitions, etc.
Bring to class questions about troublesome sections or topics
Correct your test and read explanations for missed test questions (p. 477 - 495)
Links for This Week:
Class Notes
ACT Related Videos
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