Course Name
ACT Preparation: Mathematics (Preparation for National Examinations
Course Texts
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- The Real ACT Prep Guide, 2nd Edition published by Peterson’s
- McGraw-Hills Top 50 Skills for a Top Score ACT Math by Brian Leaf (2010)
Major Course Objectives
_ACT
Preparation students will acquire an understanding of the format for the math
section of ACT. Students will take practice assessments and study strategies
that will help them stay focused on getting the best score on their mathematics
portion of the ACT. Students will focus
mainly on algebra and geometry because that is the majority of the test; but
students will also be presented with some basic trigonometry information. The goal is to reach an average of 24 on the
ACT mathematics section, in which students will have to get at least 39-40
questions correct out of 60 questions, in 60 minutes.
Resources
- www.act.org - This is a site that ACT has developed to help students prepare for the ACT. It comes complete with a practice test and questions of the day that come from one of the four areas. The website gives students the information they need in order to register, and find testing dates and locations.
- www.sparknotes.com - Spark notes provides a section titled TEST PREP. In the section one of the choices are for the ACT. In the section, SparkNotes provides three different full ACT tests that students can either complete in one sitting or can pause and come back to on one or more occasions. All you need is a valid email address to sign on to the site.
- SuperMagnetMan - George Mizzell is a teacher that posted a series of 8 videos onto youtube.com. I would suggest that you download the test booklet that he reads from and have a printed version of prepared before you get started. Mizzell talks fast, so when you start be prepared to pay attention. It may be helpful to take the test on your own first, then go through the videos, and once finished with the videos, take the same test again. Then take a different practice test and how well you do. These videos are to help students with the science section of the ACT.
Explanation of ACT Prep 2011 Graph
The table shows the class average from each of the Practice Tests that we took. This table represents the baseline data. Each semester, I have a different set of students. At the end of second semester, I will post the results of their tests, so that the two tables can be compared.
Every semester, I try new strategies or try to make old ones better, to help prepare students gain points on their ACT test. The tables will show the true data collected from the classes, and will reflect whether the lessons have or have not helped that were introduced to the students. |
Student Reflections
This is an assignment that I have created that has helped me make this class more valuable and helpful to students. They are required to write a letter to myself using the following criteria. Below the assignment are some examples of responses collected from students. Names have been omitted, but the letters are in the students' own words.
Task
On a loose leaf of paper, write a letter to your teacher, telling her your thoughts about the ACT. In your letter, make sure to say:
Some Student Responses
Student 1:
Dear Ms. Presley,
I am writing this letter on the things about the ACT. I am strong in multiplication, division, subtraction, and adding. The things I need help with the most is sentence problems. I think I need to study and review more. You can help me by reviewing over a lot of old things. I hope you can help me with the problems I have on the test.
Your Student,
Student 1
Student 2:
Dear Ms. Presley,
I am strong in Algebra 2. I need to work my math section in the ACT Test. I have to practice online for the ACT Test to get me ready for the test. I have to be more focused.
Sincerely,
Student 2
Student 3:
Dear Ms. Presley,
I am writing this letter to inform you about my thoughts on the ACT. The type of math that I feel I am most strong at is Algebra2 and everything below that. The math that I need work on is trig and the things below that. What I think I can do to prepare for the ACT is work on the math that I need most help with, try to do the problems faster, and use the strategies that my teacher does. Way I think that my teacher can help me are giving me one on one help with my math and teaching me different strategies I can do on the test. I think that the math would be the hardest part of the ACT for me. I need to stay focus on it because I loose my focus in math really fast when I don't get it.
Some activities that we can do in class to help us better ourselves for the ACT are make flash cards so that we can learn to answers math problem faster. We can do this in groups so that it can be more fun and interesting. We could also do math problem board races and reward the people that win with prizes. I think that prizes will motivate us more to do our work and focus.
Sincerely,
Student 3
Student 4:
Dear Miss Presley,
As far as math is concerned it is not my best subject and although I like science, it isn't either. To get ready for the ACT test, I need to learn how to answer questions faster and focus. While taking tests, I tend to get distracted and nervous. To better my skills I just need to teach myself to pay attention a little better and it would help if our classmates were on the same page.
Yours Truly,
Student 4
Student 5:
Dear Ms. Presley,
The type of math I think I'm good in is Algebra I and II. However, the math I need a little more help in is Geometry and Trigonometry. What we need is less test and more time to actually go over geometry and trigonometry problems before the test so I can know what to do for them. I need to study more by myself at home.
Student 5
Task
On a loose leaf of paper, write a letter to your teacher, telling her your thoughts about the ACT. In your letter, make sure to say:
- What kind of math you think you are strong in.
- What kind of math you think you need to work on.
- What you think you can do to get ready for the test.
- How you think your teacher can help you get ready for the test.
- Please include all of your other thoughts about the ACT in your letter and remember that it is addressed to your teacher. Write in complete sentences.
Some Student Responses
Student 1:
Dear Ms. Presley,
I am writing this letter on the things about the ACT. I am strong in multiplication, division, subtraction, and adding. The things I need help with the most is sentence problems. I think I need to study and review more. You can help me by reviewing over a lot of old things. I hope you can help me with the problems I have on the test.
Your Student,
Student 1
Student 2:
Dear Ms. Presley,
I am strong in Algebra 2. I need to work my math section in the ACT Test. I have to practice online for the ACT Test to get me ready for the test. I have to be more focused.
Sincerely,
Student 2
Student 3:
Dear Ms. Presley,
I am writing this letter to inform you about my thoughts on the ACT. The type of math that I feel I am most strong at is Algebra2 and everything below that. The math that I need work on is trig and the things below that. What I think I can do to prepare for the ACT is work on the math that I need most help with, try to do the problems faster, and use the strategies that my teacher does. Way I think that my teacher can help me are giving me one on one help with my math and teaching me different strategies I can do on the test. I think that the math would be the hardest part of the ACT for me. I need to stay focus on it because I loose my focus in math really fast when I don't get it.
Some activities that we can do in class to help us better ourselves for the ACT are make flash cards so that we can learn to answers math problem faster. We can do this in groups so that it can be more fun and interesting. We could also do math problem board races and reward the people that win with prizes. I think that prizes will motivate us more to do our work and focus.
Sincerely,
Student 3
Student 4:
Dear Miss Presley,
As far as math is concerned it is not my best subject and although I like science, it isn't either. To get ready for the ACT test, I need to learn how to answer questions faster and focus. While taking tests, I tend to get distracted and nervous. To better my skills I just need to teach myself to pay attention a little better and it would help if our classmates were on the same page.
Yours Truly,
Student 4
Student 5:
Dear Ms. Presley,
The type of math I think I'm good in is Algebra I and II. However, the math I need a little more help in is Geometry and Trigonometry. What we need is less test and more time to actually go over geometry and trigonometry problems before the test so I can know what to do for them. I need to study more by myself at home.
Student 5