instructor information - web viewgeneral information. description. this standardized test...
If you can't read please download the document
TRANSCRIPT
Standardized Test Prep @SAMS SyllabusSummer 2017
Instructor Information
Instructor
Class Location & Hours
Todd Rooney
PH 100 -- T/Th 9:45-11:30
Madhura Ranade
PH A18A -- T/Th 9:45-11:30
Chris Muti
MM A14 -- W/F 9:45-11:30
General InformationDescription
This Standardized Test Preparation course is designed to assist SAMS students with the standardized exams used for college admissions. Students will review content in all sections of the SAT, ACT, and some SAT Subject Tests, and they will learn strategies to improve their scores on standardized tests in general as well.
Expectations and Goals
Students in this course are expected to apply the lessons covered in class to the assignments, practice tests, and, ultimately, the actual SAT/ACT exams they take after returning from SAMS. Aside from providing content review and specific test-taking strategies, this course will encourage students to develop time-management skills in preparation for the exams, to understand their own areas of strength and weakness, and to develop a study plan accordingly. Students will also gain experience with the exams by using questions taken from actual SAT, SAT subject, and ACT tests, and will learn how test questions are created and how each exam is scored. Of course, the ultimate goal of the course is to help students improve their scores on any standardized exams they happen to take in the future.
Course MaterialsRequired Materials:
For each class, students are expected to bring:
Calculator
Writing utensils and paper for scratchwork and/or notes
Course Site:
SAT/ACT Prep @SAMS,https://samssatact.wordpress.com/
Optional Materials:
To get the most out of this course, students should bring an internet-capable device such as a laptop, iPad (or similar tablet), or smartphone to class each day. There is a website for this course (see below), on which many assignments and other materials will be posted.
Exam Schedule
Date
Subject
Location
Su 07/02
Diagnostic Exam
Doherty 2315
Sa 07/15
Midterm Exam
Doherty 2315
Sa 08/01
Exit Exam
Doherty 2315
Course Schedule
Session #
Topic
Exercises (See Site)
1
Course Intro / Inside College Entrance Exams / Diagnostic Results & Forming A Prep Plan
1.) Understanding your scores
2.) Forming a study plan
2
Math: The Easy Stuff
Math Set 1
3
Reading: Approaching the Passages
Reading Set 1
4
Writing: Grammar and Usage
Writing Set 1
5
Essay: Prompting and the Planning
Essay Set 1
6
Math: The Less-Easy Stuff
Math Set 2
7
Reading: Approaching the Questions
Reading Set 2
8
Writing: Rhetoric and Relevance
Writing Set 2
9
Essay: Producing and Proofreading
Essay Set 2
10
Science: ACT and SAT Subject Tests
Science Set
11
Loose Ends / Test Day Advice/ Course Outro
What comes next?
Additional Information and ResourcesA note about additional resources:
There are many good resources available for your continued test prep. We probably wont have time to use these in class, but I heartily recommend them for your independent preparation:
The College Board site: https://sat.collegeboard.org/home?navid=sat-sat
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/
The ACT, Inc. site: http://www.actstudent.org/
Kaplan Test Prep: http://www.kaptest.com/SAT
Quizlet (lovely, free quiz app): https://quizlet.com/
A note about the instructors:
Todd Rooney: While I have twenty years of experience as an English teacher and am currently the Chair of the English Department at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, PA, I also have extensive experience in SAT and ACT test preparation. Very early in my teaching career, I realized that even my best students struggled with these tests, and so I educated myself on all aspects of both exams and began freelance tutoring in my spare time. In 2007, I joined Kaplan Test Prep as an instructor and tutor, which raised my standards considerably; Kaplan teachers are subjected to regular testing and must maintain a score in the 95th percentile in order to continue to teach. I began working with the SAMS program through Kaplan in the summer of 2008, and have taught SAT/ACT Prep for the program every year since then. Although SAMS no longer contracts through Kaplan, I have stayed on in a freelance capacity in order to continue to help good students become great.
Madhura Ranade: I have twenty eight years of teaching experience. I am currently as a Chemistry teacher at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, PA. I am also currently working at Robert Morris University as an adjunct faculty in Chemistry. I am the coach for Quiz Bowl team of Central Catholic High School. In the past I have worked as a High School Principal for a large school district with 3000 students. I have worked as a director of curriculum and was responsible for not only observing lessons by high school teachers in different subjects but also giving them constructive feedback. I have extensive experience in SAT and ACT test preparation. Eight years ago, I began freelance tutoring in my spare time. While tutoring in all levels of High School Mathematics and all Sciences, I have taught test taking strategies and skills to a large number of students. I have been successful in coaching students for SAT/ACT with a certain desired score which could place them into a college of their choice.I have taught at Carnegie Mellon University for five years.
Chris Muti: Aside from having degrees in Applied Mathematics (University of Pittsburgh, concentration in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering), Human Resources Management (Geneva College), and Educational Leadership (Robert Morris University), I have taught math courses of all levels and Standardized Test Prep for the Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Central Catholic High School. In addition, I wrote the Applied Math Curriculum in Career and Technical Education for Pittsburgh Public Schools and PA Dept. of Education.
Page 3