Greer Middle College SAT Prep—Verbal: 2013-2014 Syllabus
Instructor: Ms. Megan Schonhar
Email: mschonhar@greermiddlecollege.org
Room: B18
Course Description:
SAT Prep is a semester course designed to help prepare students for the SAT test. In addition to
reviewing the basic verbal (Ms. Sho) and mathematical (Ms. Williams) skills assessed on the SAT test,
students learn test-taking strategies specific to the exam. Material includes samples with explanations,
grading rubrics for peer and self-assessment, practice tests with complete multiple-choice assessments,
essays prompts, and study resources. Independent practice is followed by guided collaborative review.
Upon successful completion, students will possess the tools necessary to complete the SAT to the best of
their ability.
**Please note that students will switch from Ms. Sho to Ms. Williams (or vice versa) after the first quarter
of the semester.
Course Goals:
Students will:
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Become familiar with the SAT Reasoning Test format
Learn strategies for solving problems quickly and accurately
Take practice tests to develop pacing and confront “test anxiety”
Develop important SAT vocabulary
Justify correct answers and work to correct incorrect responses
Learn writing techniques for the SAT essay portion
Practice, practice, practice
Course Requirements and Policies:
 BEHAVIOR: Follow all rules and requirements listed in the GMC student handbook.
 PREPARATION: Come to class each day, on time and prepared (with all materials required for that
day). Students may have three absences for the entire semester (Verbal and Math sections); unexcused
absences in excess of three will result in no credit for the class.
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PRODUCTIVITY: Use class time to focus on the work and learning, and complete assignments as they
are assigned.
CELL PHONES: Phones may only be used with explicit instruction from Ms. Sho. When students have
permission to listen to music, they may not text, surf the Internet, etc. Using technology in the classroom
is a privilege that may be revoked at any time.
LATE WORK: Complete and submit work on time. Late work will not be accepted.
HONESTY: Students are responsible for the integrity of their work. Plagiarism is the act of claiming
someone else’s writing as one’s own, whether from a web source or a peer. Collusion, or working on an
assignment together when not told to do so, is another form of plagiarism. Looking up answers for SAT
practice problems without permission is also considered cheating. Any work that is copied or contains
plagiarized material is entirely unacceptable. See the school’s honor code for more information.
OFFICE HOURS: Ms. Sho’s office hours are on Thursdays from 3:05-3:45 and otherwise by
appointment. Students are encouraged to seek additional help during these hours.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS: If there are any questions about this policy statement,
assignments, discussions, or anything else that comes up this year, please do not hesitate to ask. Ms. Sho
is willing to work with students as issues arise.
WEBSITE: See Ms. Sho’s site for more detailed information regarding due dates, materials, and
announcements.
http://greermiddlecollege.org/faculty-staff/english/megan-schonhar/
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PARENT PORTAL: Parents will be able to follow students’ progress by checking grades on the Parent
Portal. Please check students’ grades regularly, and do not hesitate to contact Ms. Sho at
mschonhar@greermiddlecollege.org with concerns.
Course Materials:
 Gruber’s SAT book-- $15 to teacher at the beginning of the semester (you will keep this workbook)
 Folder or tab for handouts (with loose leaf college-ruled paper)
 Pens, pencils, highlighters
Course Components:
 Critical Reading:
o Short and Long Reading Passages
o Sentence Completion
 Writing:
o Identifying Errors
o Improving Sentences and Paragraphs
o Student-Written Essay
o Effectively Communicating a Viewpoint, Defining and Supporting a Position
Course Assignments:
 43% SAT Practice Tests: (20-50 points each, based on effort and average): Students will
complete practice tests after learning strategies for specific types of problems. Tests may also include
essay portions of the SAT. These practice tests will be assessed using a formula that includes
participation (completing the test) and achievement (actual score on the test in relation to previous
scores, as well as a curved average). Students will be able to re-take practice tests as they wish
(although they will include different questions). These exercises are designed for practice, so actual
grade earned is not of the greatest significance. Ms. Sho’s goal is for students to improve their scores
on each practice test.
 43% Practice Problems/ Vocabulary Quizzes: (10-20 points each): Following instruction on testtaking strategies, grammar, reading, and/or writing skills, students will complete a set of practice
problems corresponding to the instruction. These practice problems, in addition to vocabulary
quizzes, are minor assessments to encourage students to practice skills and review SAT words.
 14% Participation/ Classroom Work: (10-20 points each): This class is mostly one of
participation. As there is no major test or project, students must contribute and prepare daily while in
class to improve test-taking skills. Students will be assessed based on level of participation—100%=
excellent; 90= above average; 80%= expected; and 70% or below is unsatisfactory. Classroom work
includes discussion and other activities given in class (other than practice problems) as SAT
preparatory work.
Grade Scale
A= 93-100
B= 85-92
C= 77-84
D= 70-76
F= 69 or below
*No course credit will be given for final grades below 80.