act writing strategies

ACT WRITING STRATEGIES

DO NOW:Read page 129 of Rev Prep Workbook

On the back of your packet, respond to the following prompt:

PROMPT: What are your first impressions of the writing section?

-What might be difficult for you?-What might be easy?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• School Administered ACT Practice Test

• Period 5 won the tournament • Next tournament updates will be announced

soon – Working out the details

BINDER CLEAN UP

• Postponed until after the Math Fundamentals section has been finished

– (So all fundamental math can be kept together)

AGENDA

1. Fundamentals Terms (cont)

2. New Mini-Unit: Writing

3. Exit Slip

Upcoming WeeksTHURSDAY/FRIDAY MONDAY/TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

9.13/9.14Math FundamentalsWriting: Understanding

9.17/9.18Math FundamentalsWriting: Planning

9.19Math Fundamentals Test

9.20/9.21Writing

9.24/9.25Writing: Reviewing/Proofing

9.26Practice Timed Writing

IMPORTANT DATES: OCT 6th & NOV 3rd

DAILY OBJECTIVES

• I WILL…

1. Review the fundamental math terms and concepts essential for success on the ACT

2. Master the ACT Writing strategy for “Understanding the Prompt”

NOTETAKING NORMS1. Raise your hand if you have questions

(Do not ask a neighbor)

2. Be on task

3. Be productive & contribute

4. Be polite- 1 indv. reminder - 2 indv. reminders – 5 min after class- 3 indv. reminders – Detention

MATH FUNDAMENTAL VOCAB

• REMAINDER• DIVISIBLE• MULTIPLE• FACTOR• PRIME• LOWEST COMMON MULTIPLE• LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR

REMAINDER

• “The number left over when a number is not divisible by another number.”

DIVISIBLE

• An integer can be divided by another integer evenly, with no fraction or decimal left over.

MULTIPLE

• The product of an integer and another integer

MULTIPLES OF 10: 1 x 10 = 10 ; 20 ; 30 ; 40 2 3 4

FACTOR

• Integers that multiply together to make a given product

Example: Factors:

2 x 5 = 10

LEAST COMMON MULTIPLE

• The smallest multiple common to two numbers

EX:

2 & 4 3 & 4

4 is the LCM 12 is the LCM(2 x 2 = 4) 3: 3, 6, 9, 12(1 x 4 = 4) 4: 4, 8, 12

GREATEST COMMON FACTOR

• The largest factor common to two numbers

2 & 4

PRIME

• A number that has itself and 1 as its only factors

Not Prime: 12 Prime: 71 x 12 1 x 72 x 63 x 4

STEPS TO PRIME FACTORIZATION

1. Start with the smallest prime number (2)- “Can this number be divided by 2?”

2. Then move to the second number3. Then keep using prime factorization to get to the smallest number

EXAMPLE

36

2 18

2 9

WRITING

• Put everything away except for a pencil and the ACT Writing Test Packet

WRITING STRATEGY – DAY 1 PART ONE

OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE:

I will master the ACT Writing strategies for “Understanding the Prompt” by:

1. Identifying the two sides2. Picking a stance3. Listing three reasons to support a position

PARTNER NORMS

1. Productive – stay on task, do not distract other groups

2. Volume – I should be able to hear the music at any corner of the room. I will check every 2 min in each corner.

3 Classroom warnings: partner work individual work

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFOREHAND

STEPS/DIRECTIONS:

1. Partner-read CHAPTER 23: “THE ESSAY” packet

2. Answer questions 1-4 in partners

(yes, this is an example of a life skills grade)

TEST-TAKING CHALLENGES:

- Difficult prompts - Choose a weak stance- Lack experience to create a structured essay in

30 min- Establishing evidence for grounded assertions- Grammatical errors- Good introductions, theses, and conclusions

L3’s tips on types of evidence

• 1. Personal Anecdotes

• 2. Historical References

• 3. Current Events

What are the two sides?

USUALLY:

• “I agree because…”

• “I disagree because…”

Discussion Norms

1. Productive – stay on task, do not distract other people

2. Polite – do not have side conversation, do not interrupt others

After you make a comment, call on someone else who has a hand raised

4 P’s:

• PROMPT: What we’re doing today

• PLAN:

• PRODUCE:

• PROOFREAD:

WRITING STRATEGY – DAY 1 PART ONE

OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE:

I will master the ACT Writing strategies for “Understanding the Prompt” by:

1. Identifying the two sides2. Picking a stance3. Listing three reasons to support a position

How is your exit ticket assessed?

For each “side” (#1 and #2) am I…

1. Stating the stance?

2. Taking a stance?

3. Am I using three examples to support this stance?