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Can Your Students Attack the ACT ?

Can Your Students Attack the ACT ?. English 45 minutes 75 questions Math 60 minutes 60 questions Reading 35 minutes 4 different passages: Prose Fiction Humanities Social Studies Natural Sciences 40 questions total 10 per passage. Science Reasoning 35 minutes

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Can Your Students Attack the ACT ?

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  1. Can Your Students Attack the ACT ?

  2. English 45 minutes 75 questions Math 60 minutes 60 questions Reading 35 minutes 4 different passages: Prose Fiction Humanities Social Studies Natural Sciences 40 questions total 10 per passage Science Reasoning 35 minutes 40 questions 7 passages total=2-3 minutes (20-30 seconds) Writing 30 minutes to complete one prompt In a nutshell: Multiple Choice: 2 hours 55 min. 215 questions One-ten minute break Writing portion = 30 min. The ACT looks like this…

  3. The English Test • Usage/Mechanics 40 Items 53% Punctuation 10 13% Grammar and Usage 12 16% Sentence Structure 18 24% • Rhetorical Skills 35 Items 47% Strategy 12 16% Organization 11 15% Style 12 16% Total 75 Items The total English Test is scored from 1 to 36, with a mean score of 18. The sub-scores range from 1 to 18, with a mean score of 9.

  4. Increase familiarity with 2 column text T4: strategy to break down tougher reads Consider timed tests, reduces “shell shock” Passage format, multiple choice style answer…timed (2-3 min=20-30 seconds) Roman Numeral Review Encourage #2 pencils Grammar Punctuation Sentence Structure Rhetoric Use Test Taking Tips Elimination Approach Plus or Minus Approach WAC: Consider providing familiarity by using ACT Rubric English Tips

  5. The Math Test • Pre-Algebra & Elementary Algebra 24 Items 40% • Intermediate Algebra & Coordinate Geometry 18 Items 30% • Plane Geometry 14 Items 23% • Trigonometry 4 Items 7% Total 60 Items The total Mathematics Test is scored from 1 to 36, with a mean score of 18. The sub-scores range from 1 to 18, with a mean score of 9.

  6. Increase frequency of “Highly” timed tests. Alternate: A,B,C,D,E as possible answer choices F,G,H,J,K as possible answer choices No “mechanical pencils”. Roman Numeral Review. Covers: Arithmetic Elementary & Intermediate Algebra Geometry Trigonometry Problem Solving WAC: Consider providing familiarity by using ACT Rubric Increase frequency of tests (formative and summative) that have all elements of math represented. Provide opportunities to practice “selective” strategies. T4: strategy to break down tougher reads Math Basics

  7. The Reading Test • Prose Fiction 10 Items 25% • Humanities 10 Items 25% • Social Studies 10 Items 25% • Natural Sciences 10 Items 25% Total 40 Items • Arts/Literature (Prose Fiction, Humanities: 20 Items) • Social Studies/Sciences (Social Studies, Natural Sciences: 20 Items)

  8. Passage format, multiple choice style answer…timed (2-3 min=20-30 seconds) Consider using excerpts from short stories or novels on… Art Dance Music Philosophy Theatre Or on… Anthropology Economics History Political Science Psychology Sociology It can also include… Biology Chemistry Physical Science Physics Reading Strategies

  9. The Science Test Passage Type Number of Items Percentages • Data Representation 15 Items 38% • Research Summaries 18 Items 45% • Conflicting Viewpoints 7 Items 17% Total 40

  10. Increase the frequency of “Highly” timed tests A,B,C,D,E as possible answer choices No “mechanical pencils” Roman Numeral Review Reading concepts should include: Biology Chemistry Physics Astronomy Geology Provide readings which specifically include- Data representation: tables, graphs and figures Research summaries-details of one or more experiments Conflicting viewpoints-two views on one scientific question Science Reasoning

  11. Writing Successfully Introduction: • Topic sentence • Situation, background • Two proposals or positions, criterion for judgment • State your position clearly, (thesis) First Body Paragraph: Disprove opposing argument • Topic sentence explaining the opposing argument • Why some people believe it or support this argument • Supporting Details: (Examples, facts, statistics, descriptive images, definitions, cause and effect relationships) • Closing sentence that restates its weakness or flaws against the criterion for judgment

  12. Writing Successfully Second Body Paragraph: Arguments #1 and 2 • Topic sentence about first reason to support your position • Supporting Details to illustrate (Examples, facts, statistics, descriptive images, definitions, cause and effect relationships) • Closing sentence that relates the argument to the position and issue Third Body Paragraph: Argument #3 Strongest Argument • Topic sentence introducing final and strongest reason to support your position • Supporting Details to illustrate (Examples, facts, statistics, descriptive images, definitions, cause and effect relationships) • Closing sentence that relates the argument to the position and issue

  13. Writing Successfully Conclusion: • Restate your position • Summarize each reason in relation to the position or issue • Suggest a plan of action or relate back to general situation • Student Plan for Success: • Make a T-chart: List major ideas (arguments) to support both positions with concrete examples • Choose a side, and write a quick rough draft including: intro, opposition rebuttal, position defense (three major arguments and examples to support each), and conclusion.

  14. Consider Your Options…Provide Greater Possibilities! • Adapt departmental, grade level, or class writing samples to resemble ACT writing test. • Greater fluency with reading, understanding, and comprehension. • Provide more exposure to highly timed, multiple choice tests. (5 answers whenever possible) • To reduce test anxiety, the key is preparation. • Can we… Change the culture of our building? Encourage students to prepare and simply “attack” the test? Adopt a “One and done” attitude? • This is an academic competition---no different than a vocal performance, music competition or an athletic event where practice is the norm and accepted.

  15. Do You Have A Strategy For Student Success? • What did we do at Avondale High School to achieve a 2% increase in one year? • Phase One: Each day the topic included a break down of the core component of the ACT and the skills necessary to “attack” that specific area of the test. • Phase Two: Implement a comprehensive writing initiative 9-12 to address writing fluency. • Phase Three: Institute a rigorous EXPLORE and PLAN Testing Strategy. • Phase Four: Student to Administrator Conversations. Parental Involvement and Support.

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