SAT Prep for the Critical Reading & Writing Sections
Mrs. Julie Hunt and Mrs. Diane Watts
2012-2013
Texts: In addition to The Official SAT Study Guide, Second Edition. College Board (2009), Mrs. Hunt and Mrs. Watts will provide numerous resources compiled from various test prep books, grammar handbooks, etc.
Course Description:
The SAT Prep Course consists of eight weeks of instruction in the skills necessary to score well on the new College Board SAT. Instruction will include vocabulary, grammar, sentence-completion, reading comprehension, paragraph correction, critical reading, and writing skills. Because time constraints necessitate that the course be both intense and concise, SAT Prep students need to be self-motivated and conscientious. Benefits of the course will be directly related to the input of the student. Also, while the course offers a solid review of all verbal skills, the eight week instruction can only augment previous knowledge; the course cannot be a substitute for the years of learning that should already be in place.
Course of Study
Vocabulary
Word lists will be derived from the above text and from various sources familiar with the SAT. Latin and Greek root words and prefixes will also be studied. Assessment will be via weekly cumulative quizzes and two cumulative tests. These tests will be given at four weeks and eight weeks.
Grammar & Usage
The SAT requires a thorough knowledge of basic grammar and punctuation. Instruction will be given as necessary and assessed via quizzes and tests. Instruction in idioms and accepted phraseology will also be provided.
Sentence Completion
Instruction will include lecture, discussion, exercises, and practice tests.
Critical Reading
Instruction will include lecture, discussion, and practice needed for active reading, annotative reading, rapid outlining, and question analysis. Learning will be assessed via practice exercises and practice tests. These practice tests will not count as test grades until the end of the eight weeks. Prior to that, they will count as class work or quizzes.
Writing
The new SAT requires students to compose an essay in response to a writing prompt. The essay, which must be completed in twenty-five minutes, should be coherent, cohesive, and concise. Instruction on how to approach this task will be given via lecture, demonstration, analysis, and practice. Student essays initially will be graded as quizzes and eventually as tests. Essays will be assessed holistically by the SAT standards outlined by the College Board. All work must be done in class.
Attendance
Instruction for the course will come largely from teacher instruction, lecture, daily work sheets, and class discussion. Daily attendance is paramount to this course, given its intense nature. Students who aretardy or excessively absent will not benefit from the experience, and consequences will be enforced as listed in the student handbook.
Make-up Work
Grading for make-up work will follow the Fulton County policy as stated below from the student handbook: Following an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to contact his/her teachers to arrange for make-up work. The contact must be made within one school day of returning. If the teacher is absent, contact should be made upon the first day of the teacher’s return. Students are given the same number of days to complete make-up work as the absence, not including the day of return. For instance, if a student is absent two days, he/she has two days (not including the day of return) to complete the assignments. The teacher will establish a reasonable schedule for completing tests, labs, etc. that cannot be done independently by the student. Assignments made prior to the absence, including tests/quizzes scheduled for the day of return, are generally due upon the student’s return. Students who are present for any portion of the school day are expected to turn in all assignments due on that day in order to receive full credit. Failure to complete make-up work within the designated time frame may result in a grade reduction or loss of credit for the assignment. Students are allowed to make up work due to an unexcused absence but the grade earned may be reduced by 10 points.
Grading
Grading will be based on class work, participation, quiz scores, practice test scores, and quality of in-class essays. This course has no final exam. An exit exam will be given over the bulk of the material studied; however, this assessment will be divided into three sections, each counting as a regular test.
Classwork/Participation/Test Prep Exercises45%
Supporting Assessments (Quizzes, In-class essays)25%
Major Assessments30%
*The teacher reserves the right to alter the course of study and assignments as she deems necessary and beneficial to the students. If changes occur, students will be notified in advance during class. All Northview policies will be enforced within the classroom.
Tardy to Class: Students enrolled in the zero period class are expected to be in their seats at 7:25and prepared for class instruction when the bell rings. First period begins promptly at 8:30. Students not in their seats when the bell ringswill be counted as tardy.
Fulton County Policy – Provision for Improving Grades
Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades.
Northview Recovery Procedure
Opportunities for students to recover from a low/failing cumulative grade will be provided when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements.Students who have not attempted to complete all course requirements are not eligible for recovery.Students must contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities at the time his/her grade falls below 74. Recovery work must be completed within ten school days prior to the end of the semester. The nature and type of recovery assignment is given at the discretion of the teacher.
Honor Code: As explained in the student handbook, cheating is defined as “the giving or receiving, in any form, information relating to a gradable experience.” Violations of the honor code will result in a zero for the assignment, plus an honor code violation form placed in the student’s disciplinary file. Read the handbook carefully to fully understand what constitutes a violation.
Help Sessions: Students are always encouraged to come for additional help in the mornings before class, provided 24 hours notice is given.
Conferences: Conferences can be scheduled before or after school. The best way to get in touch with the teacher, especially for urgent messages, is through e-mail. Grades may be viewed via HAC website. Information about HAC is available in the front office.
Class Policies: The instructor, the students and their parents will abide by the rules and procedures in the student-teacher-parent handbook. General classroom rules include
1)All materials (pen, pencil, highlighter, paper) must be brought to class daily. Students will not be allowed to return to their lockers for such items. The teacher cannot be responsible for work not completed due to student’s failure to bring materials.
2)Students will be expected to take notes during class. Information delivered via lecture, discussion, or group activities will be included on quizzes and tests. The student is responsible for taking these notes and for obtaining notes missed due to absences.
3)Students will not be allowed to sleep or put their heads down on the desk. Each student is expected to come to class prepared to work.
I understand the policies and procedures listed in this syllabus. Date:______
Student: ______(print)______(sign)
Parent: ______(print)______(sign)