Tellico Plains High School

ACT Prep

Syllabus and Course Outline

Instructor:            Steve Hall
Tellico Plains High School (1964)
Bachelor's Degree (Physics and Math) The University of Tennessee (1967)
Master's Degree (Religious Education) Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX (1973)
45 hours Doctoral studies (Educational Administration and Supervision) The University of Tennessee (1974-75)
Christian Ministry (1975-88) (Tennessee, Florida, Texas)
High School Physics and Math Teacher (1967-70; 1988-93; 1999-present) (Tennessee, Texas)
Certification in High School Math and Physics (Tennessee and Texas)
NSLB designation: “Highly Qualified” in Math and Physics

Office:                   Room 5

Home Address:    Tellico Plains, TN 37385

Office Phone:       (423) 253-2530 (Leave a message. I will return your call.)

Office Hours:       By appointment. Available times: 7:30 to7:55 AM; 2:45 to 4:00 PM

Class Time:          One Block Period (105 minutes) daily for one semester.

Place:                    Room 5

Credit:                  1 math credit per semester

Purpose of Course

The purpose of the ACT Prep Curriculum at Tellico Plains High School is to increase student awareness of the importance and significance of preparation for improving their ACT college entrance exam score. The students will become more confident of their ability of work with various concepts and relationships of the four areas tested by the ACT (Mathematics; Science; English; and Reading) with an emphasis on the math and science sections. Students will learn how to think systematically and use the precise logic required for solving typical problems found on the ACT exam. This course assumes some knowledge of basic concepts of algebra and geometry, but these concepts will be reviewed as needed. Active involvement in and successful completion of the course should lead the student to greater confidence and higher scores on the ACT exam. Higher ACT scores can make a difference in acceptance into college and availability of scholarship funds.

Method

This course consists of 18 weeks of study (block schedule classes) in which the students will be exposed to the above concepts in various ways. We will discuss the concepts in detail during class discussions. Classroom PowerPoint presentations will be used to reinforce concepts. I will lead the students step-by-step through various thinking and problem solving strategies required to solve many kinds of problems. Students will be given ample opportunity to practice solving problems through in-class assignments as well as through homework assignments. Students will keep folders of class notes.

Evaluation Procedure

ACT Prep is a Pass/Fail Course. Students who put forth an obvious effort to improve their ACT scores will receive a passing grade in the class. Students who do not complete assignments or participate in classroom discussions may receive a failing grade. In this case, parents will be kept informed of student progress via progress reports and report cards (see next section of syllabus).

Reporting of Student Progress

All students receive report cards at the end of each six-weeks period. Students also receive progress reports three weeks into each six-weeks period (for a total of 6 reports through the semester). Parents wishing to receive more frequent reports may copy and print a form for that purpose found on Mr. Hall’s personal web site at: http://www.aboundingjoy.com/Personal/parent_letter-report.htm

If you do not have access to the internet, please call me to obtain a form.

Class Rules

1.                  Respect and be polite to all people. (Listen carefully. Do not interrupt the teacher or other students. Do not use the names of "God" or "Jesus" as bywords. Rudeness and disrespect language will not be tolerated.)

2.                  Respect the property of others. (Put litter in trashcan. Return borrowed items. Do not write on desks, walls, etc.)

3.                  Bring all needed materials to class every day (pencil, paper, text, assignments).

4.                  Use the restroom before coming to class. "Emergency" restroom passes may be given for special conditions (e.g., urinary tract infections, pregnancy, etc.--bring a note from home).

5.                  Obey all school and district wide rules (e.g., dress codes; absentee and tardy policy; no food, drink, or gum in the classroom; etc.)

6.                  Exercise self control at all times. (Crude and offensive language will not be tolerated. Keep hands and feet to yourself. No items (e.g. pencils, paperwads, etc.) are to be thrown or tossed inside the classroom. Tone and volume of voice will be controlled at all times.)

Procedures

Before Entering the Classroom:

·         Use the restroom.

·         Make sure you have text, paper, pencil, completed assignments.

When You First Enter the Classroom:

·         Sharpen pencil before tardy bell.

·         Be seated in your assigned seat.

·         Have assignment ready to turn in (with name, date, period, page number, problem numbers, and assignment number [circled], at top of page).

·         Begin "warm up" problems as part of the next assignment.

When I Raise My Hand:

·         Freeze! (Stop immediately whatever you are doing or saying.)

·         Look at me.

·         Wait for further instructions.

Late Work:

·         Late work is accepted.

When the Bell Rings to End the Period:

·         Stay in your seat.

·         Pick up all books, papers, folder, trash, etc.

·         Leave only when I dismiss you (normally at the bell).

By the end of the year I will have:

·         Presented information related to the above topics;

·         Responded to your questions by answering them and/or referring to additional sources for further study;

·         Given guidance in course related areas; and

·         Given feedback as to your performance on graded areas.

By the end of the year you will have:

·         Demonstrated increased knowledge and awareness of concepts tested on the ACT exam;

·         Demonstrated increased knowledge and understanding of successful test-taking strategies;

·         Demonstrated increased knowledge and understanding of the various mathematical concepts tested on the ACT;

·         Demonstrated increased knowledge and understanding of the various science related concepts tested on the ACT, especially in interpreting and analyzing experimental data;

·         Demonstrated increased knowledge and understanding of the various concepts tested in the English and Reading portions of the ACT;

·         Demonstrated a proper class attitude;

·         Completed all assigned class projects;

·         Evaluated the class and what it meant to you.

Keys to Success in this Course

1.                   Do all the assignments yourself. Getting help from parents, another student, or me is fine, but NEVER just copy someone else's work.

2.                   Do NOT postpone assignment work! It will quickly accumulate. A practical life lesson of this course is for students to learn the importance of personal discipline and the danger of procrastination

3.                   ALWAYS copy the problem before working it. (Exception: word problems.)

4.                   ALWAYS show your work. Turning in a list of answers is not acceptable. (Exception: problems meant to be done mentally--I'll let you know.)

5.                   WRITE DOWN everything I do on the overhead.

6.                   Make sure you understand what I'm talking about. If you don't understand, ask me to please go over it again.

7.                   Make sure you are able to do assignment problems WITHOUT looking at a "model" or "sample" problem. You may need a model for the first few problems, but try to get beyond the need for it quickly. (This is a critical step for doing well on tests.)

8.                   Check all odd numbered problems with the answers in the back of the book AFTER you have completed the problem on your own. If you missed it, figure out WHY you missed it.

9.                   Before each test, try to work some of each type problem that is being covered. Be able to do them WITHOUT a model. There will be no model on the test!

10.                Take advantage of test retakes! After each test, an opportunity to take a similar (but not identical!) test is available. After the initial test is returned, students have one week to take the retake test. Before semester exams students will be provided a study guide with problems similar to semester exam problems.

11.                Keep an excellent folder—the more notes you have, the better.

12.                Come to after-school tutorials if you find an assignment especially difficult. If you are having problems, TELL ME ABOUT IT!

13.                Learn to PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DETAILS. In mathematics you must learn to pay attention to every letter, every minus sign, every parenthesis, etc. Many students lose lots of points because of carelessness and inattention to detail!

14.                Do not be misled by students around you who may be making poor choices! I have sadly watched students fail math classes simply because they chose to follow the wrong example. Decide your own fate!

(Cut or tear on dashed line and return signatures to Mr. Hall. Counts as an assignment grade.)

We have read and understand the 5-page syllabus and course outline and will feel free to discuss any problems or questions directly with Mr. Hall.

Print Student’s Name:  _____________________________________________________

______________________________                        ______________________________

 (Student Signature)                                                     (Parent Signature)                              

______________________                _______________                  __________________

(Subject)                                              (Period)                                   (Date)