Helping ALL Students Succeed at the ACT Adapted from Ann S McLaughlin’s presentation am.an@comcast.net Brainworks ACT Tutor“ This presentation was created following the Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia. Certain materials are included under the Fair Use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law. Further use of these materials and this presentation is restricted.” Brainworks 1 Having a Plan… “Intelligent behavior is knowing what to do when you don't know what to do." --Arthur Costa, Professor of Education, Emeritus from California State University Brainworks 2 Knowing the Road Ahead… Brainworks 3 Approaches to Taking the Test Know Know Know day Know Know Brainworks how long it will take what the test is like what is expected of you on test how to help yourself how to take care of yourself 4 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ACT Brainworks 5 Characteristics of the ACT 215 Scored questions English: 75 questions-45 minutes Reading: 40 questions-35 minutes Math: 60 questions-60 minutes Science: 40 questions-35 minutes Writing: 30 minutes to write an essay Brainworks 6 ANSWERING STRATEGIES GUESS! Brainworks 7 Guessing on the ACT No guessing penalty Only the answer matters – bubble carefully on the bubble sheet You MAY write on the Test Booklet-so DO IT! Multiple choice: you’ve already got the RIGHT answer. Educated guessing: Eliminate answer choices Random Guessing-A note to the timid guesser: Have a plan Pacing Brainworks 8 THE ENGLISH PORTION Brainworks 9 ACT English The English test measures your ability to accomplish the wide variety of decisions involved in revising and editing a given piece of writing. Brainworks 10 What is on the English Test? General passage topics Usage/Mechanics and Effective Writing. Brainworks 11 Standards measured on the ENGLISH ACT In other words-what are you suppose to know and be able to do by this point in your life to be more successful in the future. http://www.act.org/standard/planact/ english/index.html Brainworks 12 What is on the English Test? 40 questions will test punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure. Usage/Mechanics=53% 35 questions will cover the writer’s aims, organization, and style. Rhetorical Skills 47% Brainworks 13 PACING: English 75 questions 45 minutes-5 passages 15 questions/passage 9 Minutes a passage 36 seconds a question Brainworks 14 Scoring of the ACT English --The Perfect 36 Setting a Target (Do this for all tests) Your Target Score Determines Your Strategy and Pace Target Score 36 30 26 23 20 17 11 #Right 75__ 69-70 60-62 52-54 44-46 36-38 19-21 Brainworks 15 HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS?! What did those instructions say? Brainworks 16 Know the Instructions: ENGLISH Directions: In the following five passages, certain words and phrases have been underlined and numbered. You will find alternatives for each underlined portion in the right-hand column. Select the one that best expresses the idea, that makes the statement acceptable in standard written English, or that is phrased most consistently with the style and tone of the entire passage. If you feel that the original version is best, select "NO CHANGE." You will also find questions asking about a section of the passage or about the entire passage. For these questions decide which choice gives the most appropriate response to the given question. For each question in the test, select the best choice and fill in the corresponding space on the answer folder. You may wish to read each passage through before you begin to answer the questions associated with it. Most answers cannot be determined without reading several sentences around the phrases in question. Make sure to read far enough ahead each time you choose an alternative. Brainworks 17 What do you need to remember? Directions: In the following five passages, certain words and phrases have been underlined and numbered. You will find alternatives for each underlined portion in the right-hand column. Select the one that best expresses the idea, that makes the statement acceptable in standard written English, or that is phrased most consistently with the style and tone of the entire passage. If you feel that the original version is best, select "NO CHANGE." You will also find questions asking about a section of the passage or about the entire passage. For these questions decide which choice gives the most appropriate response to the given question. For each question in the test, select the best choice and fill in the corresponding space on the answer folder. You may wish to read each passage through before you begin to answer the questions associated with it. Most answers cannot be determined without reading several sentences around the phrases in question. Make sure to read far enough ahead each time you choose an alternative. Brainworks 18 PRACTICE ENGLISH TEST LENGTH:5 passages 75 questions 45 minute test PACING PER PASSAGE: 9 minutes (or 36 seconds a question!) Includes: Reading passage Reading answers Selecting & bubbling answer Brainworks 19 Practice a sample English Passage-9 minutes Correct-as time allows Brainworks 20 THE ACT READING TEST Brainworks 21 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE READING TEST • • • • • • • • • 36-perfect score 40 Questions 35 Minutes 4 Passages – 8-8 1/2 Minutes a passage SELECTIONS FROM: Prose Fiction Humanities Social Studies Natural Sciences Brainworks 22 Standards measured on the READING ACT • http://www.act.org/standa rd/planact/reading/index. html Brainworks 23 WHAT IS ON THE READING TEST? • This test assesses your ability to read and interpret a wide range of material. • It assesses comprehension, inferential ability, vocabulary, and other reading skills. Brainworks 24 Reading Test Strategies • Learn to “speed read” each passage – Gets you through – Picks up main ideas – Know where items are – Read closely when directed by a question • Pace yourself • Preview questions – Mark words, lines, paragraphs • Select order of passages – Read favorite first Brainworks 25 Preparing for ACT Reading • Read • 35 min. chunks of time • Speedreading • Forming questions • Guessing Strategy • Bubble plan • Know the directions Brainworks 26 HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS?! What did those instructions say? Brainworks 27 THE READING TEST INSTRUCTIONS There are four passages in this test. Each passage is followed by several questions. After reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer document. You may refer to the passages as often as necessary. Brainworks 28 Types of Passages • Prose – Short stories or excerpts from novels or short stories – Questions about plot, characters, mood, tone, motive, sequence, relationships, implications • Humanities – Memoirs, personal essays, and writings in areas of architecture, art, dance, ethics, film, literary criticism, music, philosophy, media, theater – Connections among ideas and events, tone, mood, point of view Brainworks 29 Types of Passages • Social Studies – Anthropology, archaeology, biography, business, economics, geography, history, politics, psychology, or sociology – Cause-effect, comparisons, sequence of events, intent • Natural Sciences – Anatomy, astronomy, biology, botany, chemistry, ecology, geology, medicine, natural history, physics, zoology, etc. Brainworks 30 TYPES OF QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED • Do you remember all that higher level thinking “stuff” Ms. S. kept shoving at you at the beginning of the semester? • Well let’s review! • p.s. It is called Bloom’s Taxonomy Brainworks 31 Definition and Levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy • A classification of thinking organized by level of complexity – There are six types of questions, #1 being the easiest and #6 being the most complex. (please fill in your handout as we proceed through the following slides.) • • • • • 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Brainworks 32 1. KNOWLEDGE DEFINITION SAMPLE VERBS EXAMPLE Student recalls or recognizes information, ideas, and principles in the approximate form in which they were learned. Recognize Match Memorize Repeat Select Write List Label Name State Define The student will define….. Brainworks 33 2. COMPREHENSION DEFINITION SAMPLE VERBS EXAMPLE Student translates, comprehends, or interprets information based on prior learning. Illustrate Generalize Explain Summarize Paraphrase Describe Interpret The student will explain the purpose of… Brainworks 34 3. APPLICATION DEFINITION SAMPLE VERBS EXAMPLE Student selects, transfers, and uses data and principles to complete a problem or task with a minimum of direction. Practice The student will use Use the internet to learn Compute about….. Solve Demonstrate Apply Construct Transfer Brainworks 35 4. ANALYSIS DEFINITION SAMPLE EXAMPLE VERBS Student distinguishes, classifies, and relates the assumptions, hypotheses, evidence, or structure of a statement or question. Diagram The student will Debate compare and Examine contrast…. Analyze Categorize Compare Contrast Separate Brainworks 36 5. SYNTHESIS DEFINITION SAMPLE EXAMPLE VERBS Student originates, integrates, and combines ideas into a product, plan or proposal that is new to him or her. Plan Formulate Create Design The student will create… Hypothesize Invent Develop Brainworks 37 6. EVALUATION DEFINITION SAMPLE EXAMPLE VERBS Student appraises, assesses, or critiques on a basis of specific standards and criteria. Evaluate Assess Use Judge The student will justify George’s actions throughout the book Of Mice and Men. Recommend Critique Justify Brainworks 38 BACK TO THE READING TEST Brainworks 39 TYPES OF QUESTIONS MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED 1. Referring Questions – ask you to find or use info in text 2. Reasoning Questions – ask you to use text to answer complex questions 3. Identify and interpret details 4. Determine the main idea of a paragraph, paragraphs, or passage 5. Understand comparative relationships (compare/contrast) 6. Understand cause-effect relationships 7. Make generalizations 8. Determine the meaning of words from context 9. Understand sequences of events 10. Draw conclusions about the author’s voice and method Brainworks 40 Sample Questions: Prose • It can reasonably be inferred from the passage that Miguel Chico’s father makes Miguel Chico feel: • The passage suggests that, when she compared herself with other members of her family, Josie felt more: • Which of the following best describes Eduviges’s nature as it is presented in the passage? Brainworks 41 Sample Questions: Social Science • The passage indicates that at the time of the women’s suffrage movement, one of the fundamental assumptions of American politics was that the basic political unit was the: • As it is used in line 24, the word “liability” most nearly means: Brainworks 42 Sample Questions: Humanities • One of the main points made in the passage is that soap operas: • The fifth paragraph indicates that the American family has been undermined by the search for: Brainworks 43 Sample Questions: Natural Science • It may be reasonably inferred from the passage that the characteristic of the flu virus’s genetic makeup that makes antigenic shift possible is its: • The author of the passage claims that, in any given year, the chances that scientists will create an ineffective flu vaccine are: Brainworks 44 READING STRATEGIES – PREVIEW QUESTIONS: Read questions first/mark any line numbers or clue indicators – SPEED READING: Follow along with your finger, keeping a set pace *Remember on the reading you may also want to choose the order in which you read the passages based upon interest level. Brainworks 45 PRACTICE READING STRATEGY – Choose one of the reading strategies: • Preview the questions & mark • Speed reading with finger/pencil – Go when I say so – 8 minutes Brainworks 46 Practice Analysis • • • • What did you try? How did it work? Did you finish? What will you change or try for next time? • Correct • Does that change your mind? Brainworks 47 Practice Take Two Correct and discuss Brainworks 48 Other Practice • Booklet • www.act.org Brainworks 49 REMINDER STRATEGIES • Read Time/Newsweek/US News, etc. for 35 minutes nightly. • Then ask yourself some of the types of questions that are on the ACT. This will produce muscle memory, which will kick in when you are doing the 35minute reading test. • Know the directions by heart This goes for all parts of the test! • Look through the test and pick out your favorite sections and mark them 1-4 Brainworks 50 REMINDER Strategies (con’t) • Take a QUICK look at the questions before you start reading the passage to activate your prior knowledge. (Practice this strategy) (Goes for all reading parts) • Look back at the text for your answers. • Take 2-3 minutes to read the passage; that will give you 35 seconds a question. • You might want to skip the difficult question, placing a circle around it with a – sign in front letting you know that it is a difficult question. Go on and plan to come back later. (Goes for All) Brainworks 51 REMINDER Strategies (con’t) • Have your guess strategy in place. (Goes for ALL) • Fill in the bubbles after you have finished a section, keeping track of which number you are working on. (Goes for ALL) • There is not a right way or wrong way to do the reading test. You should practice and try different techniques so you are relaxed; let your muscle memory do what it has been taught. • If you can, answer the question in your own words before looking at the answers. Brainworks 52 ACT Writing Preparation Guide PowerPoint Copyright Statement “This presentation was created following the Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia. Certain materials are included under the Fair Use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law. Further use of these materials and this presentation is restricted.” Brainworks 53 Standards measured on the WRITING ACT http://www.act.org/standard/planact/writing/in dex.html Brainworks 54 Scoring for the ACT HANDOUTS: Content of the ACT Writing Test Dos and Don’ts of ACT Writing Rubric Scoring an ACT Writing Sample essays & Prompt Brainworks 55 What is the purpose of the Writing Test? The ACT writing portion assesses your ability to compose in a timed situation, communicate clearly, develop and support a position, and write accurately. Brainworks 56 Content of the ACT Writing Test Timed, 30 minutes Prompt covers subject you will be interested in. Prompts designed to be finished in the 30 minutes given. Brainworks 57 Essay Take a position Maintain a focus throughout essay Develop a position by using logical reasoning with support Organize ideas in logical way Use language clearly and effectively according to standard written English Brainworks 58 Scoring the ACT Essay: Refer to Rubric in Workbook Scoring is based on a 6 point rubric Brainworks 59 Scoring an ACT Writing Scoring criteria: Take and articulate a perspective on an issue Maintain a clear focus on the perspective throughout the essay Explain a position by using supportive evidence and logical reasoning Organize ideas logically Communicate clearly in writing Brainworks 60 Scoring Continued Quality of essay is based on four fundamental categories: Brainworks 61 1. Positioning Strength and clarity of stance Rephrase the prompt Choose your position Brainworks 62 2. Examples Relevance and development of examples used Be specific Use variety History Literature Business or current events Brainworks 63 3. Organization Organization of all paragraphs 5-paragraph essay Introduction – Hook and 3-point thesis statement 3 body paragraphs – Topic sentence, examples, concluding sentence (transition) Conclusion – Wrap up essay and restate thesis Brainworks 64 4. Command of Language Sentence structure, grammar, and word choice Vary sentence structure Word choice Grammar and spelling**** Brainworks 65 ADVICE FOR WRITING YOUR ACT ESSAY: DO’S DO DO Write only on the given Write using correct topic Take a clear position Include reasons and examples to support your position Write persuasively grammar and spelling Write specifically and concretely Write about five paragraphs Write only on given paper Brainworks 66 ADVICE FOR WRITING YOUR ACT ESSAY: DON’T’S DON’T o Write on a topic other DON’T than one directed o Take a wishy-washy position o Try to show off o Include information that is off topic work for errors o Be vague o Go off on a tangent o Forget to proof your Brainworks 67 THE IMPORTANCE OF HANDWRITING Do not assume that your handwriting and legibility is not important. The directions state clearly that “illegible essays cannot be scored, so you must write or print clearly. What impression do you receive from the following handwriting samples? Brainworks 68 The Essay You will have 30 minutes to: Read prompt carefully Determine position – outline, map, brainstorm, plan Compose essay Leave time for a quick read and proof at end Brainworks 69 ANALYSIS OF THE RUBRIC Analyze the rubric (break it into its parts to better understand the whole). Draw a line between the “categories” that seemed to be scored within each description. Find the differences between the numbers. What makes the difference between a 5 and a 6, a 4 and a 5, etc. Brainworks 70 PRACTICE SCORING: PRIZES FOR QUALITY & ACCURACY Brainworks 71 SAMPLES: You Score! Based upon a careful reading of the sample prompt as well as the six-point holistic scoring rubric criteria, Score the sample(s) that has/have been given to you and WRITE OUT A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF YOUR REASONS WHY. USE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES from the essay to prove/support your score. Brainworks 72 SAMPLE ESSAY PROMPT Educators debate extending high school to five years because of increasing demands on students from employers and colleges to participate in extracurricular activities and community service in addition to having high grades. Some educators support extending high school to five years because they think students need more time to achieve all that is expected of them. Other educators do not support extending high school to five years because they think students would lose interest in school and attendance would drop the fifth year. In your opinion, should high school be extended to five years? In your essay, take a position on this question. You may write about either one of the two points of view given, or you may present a different point of view on this question. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position. Brainworks 73 EXIT TICKET State three specific things you learned from the information presented and the activity. Brainworks 74 ACTUAL SCORING RESULTS Brainworks 75 SAMPLE #1 Score = 3 Shows some understanding of task. Takes a position. Repeats the prompt. Only two main ideas developed. Uses general statements. No specific reasons, examples, or details. Maintains focus. Organization is simple. Simple transitions (e.g. I also feel). Some sentence variety. Errors distract some. Brainworks 76 SAMPLE #2 Score = 4 Shows adequate skill in responding to task. Takes stance and offers some context for discussion. Acknowledges other perspective. Three ideas discussed. Uses specific examples and details. Focus on prompt is maintained. Organization is predictable. Intro and conclusion well developed. Some inaccurate word choice (relishing & incubate). Brainworks 77 SAMPLE # 3 Score = 1 Little skill in responding to task. Takes a stance. Does not convey reasons to support position. Generalizes about different ideas about school. Repeats ideas, instead of explaining them. Supporting claims are not understandable. No organization. No transitions. No conclusion. Very little sentence structure (I think…). Grammar mistakes are distracting. Brainworks 78 SAMPLE #4 Score = 5 Takes a stance. Offers a broad context for discussion. Acknowledges complications, but offers a resolution. Development of ideas is logical and specific. Simple structural organization. Good transitions. Language is clear. Misspelling of homophones and incorrect punctuation is distracting. Precise vocabulary and good sentence structure. Brainworks 79 SAMPLE #5 Score = 6 Effective skill in responding to task. Takes a position. Offers a critical context for discussion. Anticipates and responds to a counter-argument. Discusses ideas fully with ample, specific examples. Organization is predictable. Logical sequencing of ideas. Transitions used throughout. Intro and conclusion are effective and well developed. Precise and varied sentence structure and word choice. Few errors. Brainworks 80 SAMPLE #6 Score = 2 Inconsistent skill in responding to task. Takes a position. No recognition of counter-argument. Development of ideas is thin – general statements. Some organization. Offers two ideas. Conclusion is minimal. Transitions are simple. Some variety in sentence structure. Appropriate word choice. Brainworks 81 For more information visit http://www.actstudent.org/writing/sample/testsamples.html http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/chapter7section1.rhtml FREE ACT and AP practice tests they can access online. Go to MeL, located on the Resources for High School webpage: http://www.monashores.net/ Once on the MeL homepage, find the QuickLinks on the right-hand side of the page where it says ACT Test Preparation. Click GO. (Another way to access Learning Express Library is within the list of MeL databases.) When students create their own username and password, they will have all tests available to them. There are many, many other subject area practice tests, including Reading, Writing, Spanish, Civil Service, Military, and more. Brainworks 82 TIMED PRACTICE You should take out a pencil. You have 30 minutes to read the prompt, plan, write and proofread your essay. Use the Writing Code assigned to you, not your name. Please print it accurately. Brainworks 83 MATH & SCIENCE Brainworks 84 Scoring of the ACT The Perfect 36: MATH 36 Points—60 Questions 60 Minutes –1 Minute a problem Pre-Algebra 23%, Elementary Algebra 17%, Intermediate Algebra 15%, Coordinate Geometry 15%, Plane Geometry 23%, Trigonometry 7% Brainworks 85 Scoring of the ACT The Perfect 36: SCIENCE 36 Points—40 Questions 35 Minutes—6 Passages – 5+ Minutes a passage Data Representation 38%-- Research Summaries 45%-- Conflicting Viewpoints 17% Brainworks 86 SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST Brainworks 87 Survival of the Fittest TEST PREP 1. Take a practice test 2. Refresh the knowledge and skill needed for each content area 3. Know the directions to each section* 4. Decide on a guessing strategy 5. Know the answer sheet and have a bubble plan 6. Do not cram 7. Learn the pace of the test 8. Read carefully; that is exactly what the whole ACT is--a reading test Brainworks 88 Survival of the Fittest TEST PREP 9. Decide on strategies to be used for each content area test 10. Remember that writing on the booklet is acceptable and a wise idea 11Affirmations (I am working 45 minutes daily to get a___on my ACT; so be it.) 12. Say It!, See It!, Feel It!, Act It! Brainworks 89 Survival of the Fittest TEST DAY 1. Dress in layers 2. Do not wear strong scents (perfume, cologne, hair spray, lotion, etc.) 3. If you have long hair-tie it back 4. Eat a healthy breakfast 5. Bring a healthy snack 6. Bring water to drink (water bottle with your name on it) 7. Get a decent night’s sleep 8. Watch a funny movie the night before or in the AM 9. If time, go for a walk in the AM Brainworks 90 Survival of the Fittest TEST DAY 10. Take more than one Kleenex 11. Take several sharpened #2 pencils and a good eraser 12. Take a calculator (not a new one) with new batteries 13. Remember admission paper work and school ID 14. Do NOT bring cell phone, I-pod, etc. to the testing room Brainworks 91 SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST SKITS TO SHOW DO’S & DON’TS You and your group are to take your assigned Fittest Strategies and you will create a skit demonstrating either the proper method for following the suggestions, or the dire consequences of not following them as directed. Consider different parts, (students, test proctors, etc.) Use props as much as possible, mime if you have to. HAVE FUN! OVERACT! GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS! Brainworks 92 Affirmations An affirmation is a declaration that something is true. Example of one of Mr. Johnson’s daily affirmations. I am the best looking man on this side of the Mississippi! Now, write one for yourself. Brainworks 93 AFTER THE ACT It’s not over, ‘til it’s over. MME and Workkeys Tests Math, Science, Social Studies, Applied Math and English Round out proficiency scores for Merit $ Part of report on your individual and school wide proficiencies Brainworks 94 Michigan Merit Exam When: ACT on March 9. MME WorkKeys and Math on March 10; MME Science and Social Studies on March 11 (including essay). Who: All 11th-graders in the state What: 404 multiple-choice questions and three written responses. Duration: 7 hours and 45 minutes over two days Source: Michigan Department of Education Brainworks 95 WorkKeys WorkKeys assessments give students and workers reliable, relevant information about their workplace skill levels. Combined with information about skill levels required for jobs, assessments information can help users make better career and education decision. Assessments: Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, Business Writing, Teamwork, Listening, Applied Technology, and Communication. Brainworks 96 HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? No, it won’t be forever; it will only feel like forever. Fact: The test is four hours shorter this year than a few years ago! LUCKY YOU! Brainworks 97 SCHEDULE Feb. 25-Fill out ACT registration forms (class) Feb. 26-Fill out MME registration forms (class) March 9: ACT Testing 7:40-12:10 (12:15 whole school dismissed) March 10: MME Testing (whole day of school) 7:40-10:45 March 11: MME Testing (whole day of school) 7:40-10:45 Brainworks 98 DAILY SCHEDULE Will be sent home to you. Brainworks 99