ACT Prep
Dr. Jill Watkins
Course Description
College Readiness Benchmarks
ACT has identified the minimum score needed on each ACT test to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding first-year college course.
ACT Test-ACT Benchmark Score-College Course
English-18-English Composition
Math-22-Algebra
Reading-21-Social Sciences/Humanities
Science-24-Biology
On the ACT Writing Test, ACT’s research to date suggests that examinees with a Writing sub score of 7 or higher possess sufficient general writing skills to be ready for college-level writing assignments. Cite: ACT, Inc. (2011). The Real ACT Prep Guide 3rd edition. Iowa City, IA: ACT Publications.
Course Goals
ACT English Test:
Review the six elements of effective writing included in the English Test.
Effectively use punctuation, grammar and usage, sentence structure, strategy, organization, and style.
ACT Reading Test:
Enhance reading skills through the understanding of key ideas and details/craft and structure and the integration of key ideas and details.
Use reasoning skills to determine main ideas, locate and interpret significant details, understand sequences of events, make comparisons, comprehend cause-effect relationships, determine the meaning of context-dependent words, phrases, and statements, draw generalizations, analyze the author's or narrator's voice and method.
ACT Math Test:
Use basic operations using whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and integers; place value; square roots and approximations; the concept of exponents; scientific notation; factors; ratio, proportion, and percent; linear equations in one variable; absolute value and ordering numbers by value; elementary counting techniques and simple probability; data collection, representation, and interpretation; and understanding simple descriptive statistics.
Graph the relations between equations, including points, lines, polynomials, circles, and other curves; graphing inequalities; slope; parallel and perpendicular lines; distance; midpoints; and conics.
Understand trigonometric relations in right triangles; values and properties of trigonometric functions; graphing trigonometric functions; modeling using trigonometric functions; use of trigonometric identities; and solving trigonometric equations.
ACT Science Reasoning Test:
Apply scientific reasoning skills in biology, chemistry, physics, and the Earth/space sciences (for example, geology, astronomy, and meteorology).
Writing ACT Test:
Use effective essay writing components to demonstrate college-readiness writing skills, including expressing judgments, focusing on topics, developing ideas, organizing ideas, and using language.
ACT Vocabulary Development:
Demonstrate mastery of comprehensive ACT vocabulary, including the most commonly used words in passages as well as academic cross curricular vocabulary and content/domain specific vocabulary.
ACT Strategies:
Effectively use ACT strategies, including general strategies, content-specific strategies, plug-in method, comma sandwich, identical answer choices, shorter is better, made-up values, reasonable interpretation, and yes/yes/no/no.
PDSA Goal-Setting and Goal-Tracking Strategies:
Use the PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) process to set individual goals and track growth.
Materials
One pocket-folder for handouts
Earbuds or earphones
School-issued Chromebook
Course Outline
August 17-18: Introduction to Course Syllabus and Course Requirements; Introduction to PDSA, Goal Setting, Create Digital Data Binder
August 21-25: ACT Practice Test (Diagnostic); Introduction to Learning Management System; Introduction to Social Media; Introduction to Varsity Tutors, ACTStudent, Prep Factory, and Turn It In (set up accounts); ACT Strategies (general strategies, plug-in method, comma sandwich, identical answer choices, shorter is better, made-up values, reasonable interpretation, and yes/yes/no/no); ACT Strategies Quiz
August 28-September 1: Introduce Unit 1 English Usage and Mechanics; Review Strategies; Review Unit 1- Topic 1 Punctuation; Unit 1-Topic 1 Vocabulary Quiz; Update Data Binder
September 4-8: Review Unit 1-Topic 2 Grammar and Usage; Unit 1-Topic 2 Vocabulary Quiz; Update Data Binder
September 11-15: Review Unit 1-Topic 3 Sentence Structure; Unit 1-Topic 3 Vocabulary Quiz; ACT English test over Unit 1, Topics 1, 2, and 3; Update Data Binder
September 18-22: Introduce Unit 2 English Rhetorical Devices; Review Strategies; Review Unit 2-Topic 1 Strategy (Audience), Unit 2-Topic 1 Vocabulary Quiz; Update Data Binder
September 25-29: Review Unit 2-Topic 2 Organization; Unit 2-Topic 2 Vocabulary Quiz; Update Data Binder
October 2-6: Review Unit 2-Topic 3 Style; Unit 2-Topic 3 Vocabulary Quiz; ACT English test over Unit 2, Topics 1, 2, and 3; Update Data Binder
October 9-13: ACT English test over Units 1 and 2; Introduce Unit 3 Reading; Review Strategies; Review Unit 3-Topic 1 Complex Literary Narratives Fiction; Update Data Binder
October 16-20: Continue Unit 3-Topic 1 Complex Literary Narratives Fiction; Unit 3-Topic 1 Vocabulary Quiz; Update Data Binder
October 23-27: Review Unit 3-Topic 2 Complex Information Passages Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science; Review Strategies; Update Data Binder
October 30-November 3: Continue Unit 3-Topic 2 Complex Information Passages Social Science, Humanities, Natural Science; Unit 3-Topic 2 Vocabulary Quiz; Update Data Binder
November 6-10: ACT Reading Test over Unit 3, Topics 1 and 2; Introduce Unit 4 Math Algebra; Review Unit 4 Strategies; Unit 4 Vocabulary Quiz; Update Data Binder
November 13-17: Continue Unit 4 Math Algebra; ACT Math Algebra Test; Update Data Binder
November 20-21: Introduce Unit 5 Math Geometry; Review Unit 5 Strategies; Unit 5 Vocabulary Quiz; Update Data Binder
November 27-December 1: Continue Unit 5 Math Geometry; ACT Math Geometry Test; Update Data Binder
December 4-8: Introduce Unit 6 Math Trigonometry; Review Unit 6 Strategies; Unit 6 Vocabulary Quiz, ACT Math Test; Update Data Binder
December 11-15: Introduce Unit 7 Science Reasoning; Review Unit 7 Strategies; Unit 7 Vocabulary Quiz, ACT Science Reasoning Test; Update Data Binder
December 18-21: Introduce Unit 8 Writing; Review Unit 8 Strategies; ACT Test over all sections (Post-test); Data Binder Student-Led Conferences
Class Norms
Class will begin and end on time.
We will value instructional time. We will be engaged learners!
Everyone in class will be prepared.
We will respect each other. We will engage in open and respectful communication and collaboration.
We will have a positive mindset. We will learn from our mistakes.
We will celebrate each other’s successes. We are a TEAM!
Grading
Emphasis is placed on the strategies and skills required for students to achieve the ACT Benchmark scores for College and Career Readiness in English, Math, Reading, Science Reasoning, and Writing (see College Readiness Benchmarks above).
Grades will be determined based as follows:
15%=ACT Vocabulary Quizzes
15%=ACT Subject/Section Tests and ACT Strategies Quizzes
25%=ACT Practice Test over all Sections (including writing)
25%=Online Module Work (completion of playlists)
10%=Class Participation (collaborative learning activities)
10%=Digital Data Binder
Note: Grades in this course reflect the student’s level of achievement of the learning outcomes, which are based on course goals and student learning objectives, aligned to the ACT Prep course. A student’s grade in this course is not a predictor of the student’s score on the ACT test that is given as a national college admissions examination.
Late Work
Late work that results from student neglect will not be accepted. When a student has an excused absence (such as illness), he/she will be given two days for each missed day to get make-up work turned in without penalty. A pre-arranged absence (including college visits) or an absence due to a school activity requires students to communicate the situation with me prior to the absence; work is still due on the assigned day. (There may be instances that are unique, and students are encouraged to discuss any absence with me so that they are able to complete work and receive credit.)
Absentees
It is the student’s responsibility to acquire make-up work. Assignments will be posted on my website. www.DrWatkinsCHS.com
Academic Dishonesty
Cheating includes attempting to obtain answers from an external source during a quiz or test and copying someone else’s assignment. Plagiarism is copying from another source without giving proper credit to that source or submitting another person’s work or ideas as one’s own. It is also plagiarism to copy or cut and paste from the Internet and to present that information as the student’s personal work.
Neither cheating nor plagiarism will be tolerated under any circumstances. Infractions will result in a referral to the office and the student’s parent/guardian will be notified. This course is designed to help you improve your ACT scores, not to test your ability to cheat.
During the ACT test, examinees who are dismissed due to prohibited behavior forfeit their registration for that test date. There are no options for refunds or appeals in situations involving prohibited behavior.
Dr. Jill Watkins
Email: jwatkins@chillicotheschools.org
Website: www.drwatkinschs.com
Location: 2801 Hornet Road
Phone: 660-646-0700
Twitter: @drwatkinschs