Horace Mann News and Notes
February 1st
Building Goals
GOALS
DISTRICT GOALS
#1. All Students Get Better at Literacy!
#1. Engaging and Effective Instruction!
#1. Create and Maintain a Happy (Positive Emotional) Environment!
HORACE MANN HIGH SCHOOL SLO
By Spring of 2017, 11th grade class average will meet the state average on the ACT.
By Spring of 2018, 11th grade class average will meet or surpass the state average on the ACT.
By Spring of 2019, 11th grade class average will surpass the state average on the ACTQuestions to reflect upon:
-Am I reviewing my questions on assessments compared to the ACT assessments?
-Are my students able to defend their thinking and defend their writing?
-Am I using the Oriole Way Writing and Reading sheets with students?
2017 ACT and WorkKeys Assessment
February 28th all juniors will take the ACT assessment.
March 1st all juniors will take the WorkKeys assessment.
Announce that only Juniors need to be here on Tuesday for ACT testing. Everyone shows back up This is what we had last year for a Schedule for Wed:
11:40-12:10 5th hour class (and first lunch)
12:15-12:45 6th hour class (and second lunch)
12:50- 1:40 3rd hour class
1:45- 2:35 4th hour class
Let me know what you think.
I have asked Mike G to talk to middle school staff so we may determine if we have block days on Thursday and Friday or not at all that week.
ACT userguide
page 37 shows you a sample student report
page 42-45 have reminders on what is covered in the test.
Please continue to review to ensure our students are prepared for the State assessment.
Content Covered by the ACT English Test
Three reporting categories are addressed in the English test covering six elements of effective writing: topic development; organization, unity, and cohesion; knowledge of language; punctuation; usage; and sentence structure and formation. A brief description of the elements of effective writing and the approximate percentage of the test devoted to each reporting category are given below.
Production of Writing (29–32%)
The questions in this category require students to apply their understanding of the purpose and focus of a piece of writing.
- Topic Development: Demonstrate an understanding of, and control over, the rhetorical aspects of texts. Identify the purposes of parts of texts, determine whether a text or part of a text has met its intended goal, and evaluate the relevance of material in terms of a text’s focus.
- Organization, Unity, and Cohesion: Use various strategies to ensure that a text is logically organized, flows smoothly, and has an effective introduction and conclusion.
Knowledge of Language (13–19%)
Demonstrate effective language use through ensuring precision and concision in word choice and maintaining consistency in style and tone
Conventions of Standard English (51–56%)
The questions in this category require students to apply an understanding of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics to revise and edit text.
- Sentence Structure and Formation: Apply understanding of sentence structure and formation in a text and to make revisions to improve the writing.
- Punctuation: Recognize common problems with standard English punctuation and to make revisions to improve the writing.
- Usage: Recognize common problems with standard English usage in a text and to make revisions to improve the writing.
Content Covered by the ACT Mathematics Test
Eight reporting categories are addressed in the mathematics test. A brief description and the approximate percentage of the test devoted to each reporting category are given below.
Preparing for Higher Math (57–60%)
This category captures the more recent mathematics that students are learning, starting when students begin using algebra as a general way of expressing and solving equations. This category is divided into the following five subcategories.
- Number & Quantity (7–10%)
Demonstrate knowledge of real and complex number systems. Students will understand and reason with numerical quantities in many forms, including integer and rational exponents, and vectors and matrices.
- Algebra (12–15%)
Solve, graph, and model multiple types of expressions. Students will employ many different kinds of equations, including but not limited to linear, polynomial, radical, and exponential relationships. The student will find solutions to systems of equations, even when represented by simple matrices, and apply their knowledge to applications.
- Functions (12–15%)
The questions in this category test knowledge of function definition, notation, representation, and application. Questions may include but are not limited to linear, radical, piecewise, polynomial, and logarithmic functions. Students will manipulate and translate functions, as well as find and apply important features of graphs.
- Geometry (12–15%)
Define and apply knowledge of shapes and solids, such as congruence and similarity relationships or surface area and volume measurements. Understand composition of objects, and solve for missing values in triangles, circles, and other figures, including using trigonometric ratios and equations of conic sections.
- Statistics & Probability (8–12%)
Describe center and spread of distributions, apply and analyze data collection methods, understand and model relationships in bivariate data, and calculate probabilities, including the related sample spaces.
Integrating Essential Skills (40–43%)
These questions address concepts typically learned before 8th grade, such as rates and percentages; proportional relationships; area, surface area, and volume; average and median; and expressing numbers in different ways. Students will solve problems of increasing complexity, combine skills in longer chains of steps, apply skills in more varied contexts, understand more connections, and become more fluent.
Modeling (>25%)
This category represents all questions that involve producing, interpreting, understanding, evaluating, and improving models. Each question is also counted in other appropriate reporting categories above. This category is an overall measure of how well students use modeling skills across mathematical topics.
Content Covered by the ACT Reading Test
The reading test assesses skills in three reporting categories: Key Ideas and Details, Craft and Structure, and Integration of Knowledge and Ideas. A brief description and the approximate percentage of the test devoted to each reporting category are given below.
Key Ideas and Details (55–60%)
Read texts closely to determine central ideas and themes. Summarize information and ideas accurately. Read closely to understand relationships and draw logical inferences and conclusions including understanding sequential, comparative, and cause-effect relationships.
Craft and Structure (25–30%)
Determine word and phrase meanings, analyze an author’s word choice rhetorically, analyze text structure, understand authorial purpose and perspective, and analyze characters’ points of view. Students will interpret authorial decisions rhetorically and differentiate between various perspectives and sources of information.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (13–18%)
Understand authors’ claims, differentiate between facts and opinions, and use evidence to make connections between different texts that are related by topic. Some questions will require students to analyze how authors construct arguments, evaluating reasoning and evidence from various sources.
Content Covered by the ACT Science Test
The content of the science test includes biology, chemistry, physics, and the Earth/space sciences (for example, geology, astronomy, and meteorology). Advanced knowledge in these subjects is not required, but knowledge acquired in general, introductory science courses is needed to answer some of the questions. The science test stresses science skills and practices over recall of scientific content, complex mathematics skills, and reading ability. A brief description and the approximate percentage of the test devoted to each reporting category is given below.
Interpretation of Data (45–55%)
Manipulate and analyze scientific data presented in tables, graphs, and diagrams (e.g., recognize trends in data, translate tabular data into graphs, interpolate and extrapolate, and reason mathematically).
Scientific Investigation (20–30%)
Understand experimental tools, procedures, and design (e.g., identify variables and controls) and compare, extend, and modify experiments (e.g., predict the results of additional trials).
Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results (25–35%)
Judge the validity of scientific information and formulate conclusions and predictions based on that information (e.g., determine which explanation for a scientific phenomenon is supported by new findings).
Passage Formats on the Science Test
The scientific information is conveyed in one of three different formats.
- Data Representation (30–40%): This format presents graphic and tabular material similar to that found in science journals and texts. The questions associated with this format measure skills such as graph reading, interpretation of scatterplots, and interpretation of information presented in tables.
- Research Summaries (45–55%): This format provides descriptions of one or more related experiments. The questions focus upon the design of experiments and the interpretation of experimental results.
- Conflicting Viewpoints (15–20%): This format presents expressions of several hypotheses or views that, being based on differing premises or on incomplete data, are inconsistent with one another. The questions focus upon the understanding, analysis, and comparison of alternative viewpoints or hypotheses.
Writing Skills Measured by the ACT Writing Test
If you take the writing test, you will receive a subject-level writing score as well as four domain scores. The domain scores are based on the analytic rubric used to score the essays, whereas the subject-level score is calculated from the four domain scores. The four domain scores correspond to the following dimensions of writing competency:
Ideas and Analysis
Scores in this domain reflect the ability to generate productive ideas and engage critically with multiple perspectives on the given issue. Competent writers understand the issue they are invited to address, the purpose for writing, and the audience. They generate ideas that are relevant to the situation.
Development and Support
Scores in this domain reflect the ability to discuss ideas, offer rationale, and bolster an argument. Competent writers explain and explore their ideas, discuss implications, and illustrate through examples. They help the reader understand their thinking about the issue.
Organization
Scores in this domain reflect the ability to organize ideas with clarity and purpose. Organizational choices are integral to effective writing. Competent writers arrange their essay in a way that clearly shows the relationship between ideas, and they guide the reader through their discussion.
Language Use and Conventions
Scores in this domain reflect the ability to use written language to convey arguments with clarity. Competent writers make use of the conventions of grammar, syntax, word usage, and mechanics. They are also aware of their audience and adjust the style and tone of their writing to communicate effectively.
he ACT writing test is a 40-minute essay test that measures your writing skills—specifically, those writing skills taught in high school English classes and in entry level college composition courses. The test describes an issue and provides three different perspectives on the issue. You are asked to (1) analyze and evaluate the perspectives given, (2) state and develop your own perspective on the issue, and (3) explain the relationship between your perspective and those given.
Note: Your score will not be affected by the perspective you take on the issue.
You will receive a total of five scores for this test: a single subject-level writing score reported on a range of 2-12, and four domain scores, also 2-12, that are based on an analytic scoring rubric.
Note: The subject score is the rounded average of the four domain scores.
Upcoming Dates
January 30th-February 3rd Spirit Week
Mon- Future Career Day
Tues- Disney Dreams
Wed- Hip Happen' Decades Day
Thurs- Pink Out! and Pink Out Basketball Game!
Fri- Happy Holidays!
February 4th Winter Dance 8-11:30
February 6th Senior Class trip
February 7th Early release schedule with showing of "Bully" to all students 12:30-2:35
February 1-2 and 8-9 "Bully" pre and post load activities
February 13th Parent Teacher Conferences 3-7pm (thank you for contacting parents you would like to meet with)
February 14th Valentines Day
February 15th Parent Teacher Conferences 3-6:30 p.m.
February 17th No School
February 26th-Top 10 Flyway Conference Awards Night -HMHS
February 27th School Board Meeting
Summer
Please let me know if you would like to teach a semester class this summer-or possibly share teaching a class with another staff member.
We are looking for opportunities for our students to continue to take all the electives they would like and it does not fit into their schedule.
A semester of an elective, English, History, Science would all be helpful to students.
Summer school is a great opportunity for our kids to get ahead!
Personal Finance
Thank you
Thank you for your presence in our hallways to support Oriole Way!
Thank you for working together to support our "Bully" activities.
Thank you for posting learning targets and working on higher level questioning.
Have a great weekend-thank you for all that you do!!