Get a Head Start in SAT Essay Writing

Our own Ms. Storsberg shared with your English teachers a great tool for your SAT writing needs:

http://www.collegeboard.com/html/scorewrite_guide.html?affiliateId=rdr&bannerId=scorewrite

• Check out sample SAT student Essays
• Find out how you will be scored
• Use the prompts to practice writing

Happy Writing!!

AP Prep for 10th Grade Students

For those students and parents that want to get a head's up on AP preparation for your English classes or any other AP class, you have come to the right spot. 

Quick AP Information:

·         TCS 9^th and 10^th grade English classes introduces and teaches students AP English skills such as:

o   Academic writing: open-ended, narrative, expository, analytical, argumentative, research, etc.

o   The writing process

o   Research Skills

o   Analytical reading and writing

o   Literary Devices (what they are and how they are used)

o   Reading a variety of text: fiction, non-fiction, articles, etc.

o   Writing informally (e.g., question of the day, textual annotations, collaborative writing), which helps students better understand the texts they are reading

o   Vocabulary and Grammar

·        A student can take an AP Exam without taking an AP Class

o   Ex. A Japanese student can take the Japanese AP Exam without taking a Japanese AP class

·        A great book to help anyone prepare for the AP English:

o   AP Vertical Teams Guide for English

·        There are two AP English exams:

o   Language and Composition: focuses on Rhetorical Strategies: Non-Fiction, Speeches, Memoirs, News Paper Articles etc.

o   Literary Devices / Literary Analysis: understanding of various literary devices, analyzing literature and various literary concepts

·        Best On-Line AP Resource for all things AP:   apcentral.collegeboard.com

·        Get informed about AP courses and get a head start at:   https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse 

I hope this information helps!

Ms. Avila

 

 

 

 

Reading Comprehension Practice

It's that time again...MID-TERMS!  To help you prepare for the skills section of the test, check out these reading comprehension sites...the more you read, the better you will get!

Timed Reading, Grammar, and Writing Test Practice

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/reading/

9^th Grade Level Practice

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2009/taks_g09_read/9reading.htm

 

http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/resources/online/2006/grade9/read/9reading.htm

Persuasive / Argumentative Writing

A powerful tool to win an argument or to get your point across is the power of persuasion.  Check out these sites to help you develop your persuasive/argumentative writing skills!

·         Persuasive Essay Writing:

o   On-Line Persuasive Writing Tutorial:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/writing/minilessons.asp?topic=Persuasive

Sample Persuasive Essay:

 http://www.thewritesource.com/studentmodels/ws2k-summer.htm

Online Video/Game: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/english/writing/argue_persuade_advise/activity/

Online Activities: http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listpersuasid.html

 

Grammar Review Games

Have fun studying using these games and sites to help you get an A on your unit grammar test!

JUST CLICK AND YOUR ON YOUR WAY TO AN A!

Grammar Review Games


Subject-Verb-Agreement

Fun Game 1

Fun Game 2

Games, reviews, quizzes, and more! (scroll all the way down for the activities)

Correcting Sentence Fragments

Practice 1

Practice 2

Practice 3

Correcting Run-on Sentences

Games, reviews, quizzes, and more! 1 (scroll all the way down for the activities)

Games, reviews, quizzes, and more! 2 (scroll all the way down for the activities)

Improve Your SPELLING

Game 1

Game 2

Games, reviews, quizzes, and more! (scroll all the way down for the activities)

Don’t Let Grammar Bring You Down!

Grammar is the foundation of reading and writing.  Without a basic knowledge of English Grammar, completing the PSAT and SAT will be a huge challenge.  Check out these links to help you get prepared for the PSAT/SAT and to improve your grammar skills:

Grammar Blast: chose a game or activity from all areas of grammar!

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/6_8/grammar/

 

Grammar Practice: practice your grammar skills!

http://classroom.jc-schools.net/basic/la-grammar.html

 

Grammar Games: a fun way to improve your grammar skills!

http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/gamezone2.htm

Get A Head Start on the SAT! PSAT PREP!

October is PSAT time!!  Get a head start, prepare, practice, and you will do your best!

Q: Why do I have to take the SAT at all?

A: Colleges make you. - If you want to go to college, you pretty much have to take the SAT (or the ACT).

Q: But why do colleges put you through this ordeal? Why do they require you to take the SAT? Two reasons:

•       Colleges consider the SAT a standard by which they can evaluate students from high schools across the country.

•       Colleges have considered SAT scores valuable in predicting how students will perform in the first semester of college.

PSAT Facts

•       5 sections

•       3 major topics: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing

•       Two 25-minute critical reading sections
Two 25-minute math sections
One 30-minute writing skills section

Q: What is critical thinking?

A: Critical thinking is a way of deciding whether a claim is always true, sometimes true, partly true, or false.

Q: How can I use Critical Thinking?

A: Know how to use the W? words = who, what, where, when, why, how

Critical Thinking Key Words:

Recognize, Understand, Gather, Comprehend, Interpret,

Draw a conclusion, Reconstruct

**The key to the PSAT = Know how to use CRITICAL THINKING!

The Critical Reading Section

•       Two 25-minute critical reading sections = 48 questions

•       13 Sentence completions

•       35 Critical reading questions

Hints for answering Sentence Completion questions:

•       Read the entire sentence to yourself.

•       Watch for introductory or connecting words and phrases like "but," "not," "because," etc.

•       In sentences with two blanks, make sure the words for both blanks make sense in the sentence.

•       Start by working with one blank at a time.

•       Stay within the meaning of the sentence.

•       Before you mark your answer, read the complete sentence with your choice filled in.

 

Hints for answering Passage-Based Reading questions:

•       Don't skip introductions to passages

•       Read each passage and any accompanying information carefully. Follow the author's reasoning and be aware of features such as assumptions, attitudes, and tone.

•       You may find it helpful to mark the passages as you are reading, but don't spend too much time making notes.

•       Read each question and all the answer choices carefully.

•       When a question asks you to compare an aspect of a pair of passages, don't be misled by choices that are correct for only one of the two passages.

•       Select the choice that best answers the question asked. Don't select a choice just because it is a true statement.

•       You may find it helpful to read the questions first to get an idea of what to look for. Or, you may prefer to read the passage and try to answer the questions.

The Math Section

•       Two 25-minute math sections = 38 questions

•       28 multiple-choice math questions

•       10 Student-produced responses or grid-ins

•       Students are advised to bring a calculator with which they are comfortable. Students should have basic knowledge of 4 math categories:

•       Numbers and Operation

•       Algebra and Functions (but not 3rd year level math that may appear on the new SAT)

•       Geometry and Measurement

•       Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability

Hints for answering Regular Multiple Choice questions:

•       Look at the answer choices before you begin to work on each question.

•       Read each question carefully, even if it looks like a question you don't think you can answer. Don't let the form of the question keep you from trying to answer it.

•       If your answer isn't among the choices, try writing it in a different form. You may have the same answer in a different mathematical format.

Hints for answering Student-Produced Response questions, also called Grid-Ins:

•       Since answer choices aren't given, a calculator may be helpful in avoiding careless mistakes on these questions.

•       It's suggested that you write your answer in the boxes above the grid to avoid errors in gridding.

•       The grid can hold only four places and can accommodate only positive numbers and zero.

•       Do not worry about which column to begin gridding the answer. As long as the answer is gridded completely, you will receive credit.

•       Unless a problem indicates otherwise, an answer can be entered on the grid either as a decimal or as a fraction.

•       You don't have to reduce fractions like 3/24 to their lowest terms.

•       Convert all mixed numbers to improper fractions before gridding the answer.

•       If the answer is a repeating decimal, you must grid the most accurate value the grid will accommodate.

•       Some questions may have more than one right answer.

•       You don't lose any points for a wrong answer.

•       Know the gridding rules before taking the test.

Writing Skills

•       One 30-minute writing section = 39 questions

•       14 Identifying sentence errors

•       20 Improving sentences

•       5 Improving paragraph questions

These multiple-choice questions on writing skills measure a student's ability to express ideas effectively in standard-written English, to recognize faults in usage and structure, and to use language with sensitivity to meaning.

Hints for Identifying Sentence Errors:

•       Read the entire sentence carefully but quickly.

•       Look at choices (A) through (D) to see whether anything needs to be changed to make the sentence correct.

•       Don't waste time searching for errors. Mark (E) No error, on your answer sheet if you believe the sentence is correct as written.

•       Move quickly through questions about Identifying Sentence Errors. The other kinds of questions (Improving Sentences and Improving Paragraphs) will probably take more time.

•       Mark questions that seem hard for you and return to them later.

Hints for Improving Sentences:

•       Read the entire sentence carefully but quickly. Note the underlined portion because that is the portion that may have to be revised.

•       Remember that the portion with no underline stays the same.

•       Mark choice (A) if the underlined portion seems correct. Check the other choices quickly to make sure that (A) is really the best choice.

•       Think of how you would revise the underlined portion if it seems wrong. Look for your revision among the choices given.

•       Replace the underlined portion of the sentence with choices (B) through (E) if you don't find your revision. Concentrate on the choices that seem clear and exact when you read them.

Hints for Improving Paragraphs:

•       Read the entire essay quickly to determine its overall meaning. The essay is meant to be a draft, so don't be surprised if you notice errors. Don't linger over those errors.

•       Make sure that your answer about a particular sentence or sentences makes sense in the context of the passage as a whole.

•       Choose the best answer from among the choices given, even if you can imagine another correct response.

PSAT Scores

•       PSAT scores are reported on a scale of 20 to 80 for each section

•       In 2012 the average score for tenth graders was about 43 in Critical Reading, 44 in Mathematics, and 42 in Writing Skills.

•       Also listed on your score report is the Selection Index, which is used to determine eligibility in National Merit Scholarship Corporation programs (NMSC)

•       score reports include national percentiles, which allow you to compare your scores with other students in your grade level who have taken the PSAT

Resources used:

•       http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/newsat/chapter1section1.html

•       http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about/ontest.html

•       SAT Study Resources: http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/newsat/  

•       SAT on-line Practice test: http://www.majortests.com/sat/