Spring Block Syllabus

Instructors

Adam Rosenberg

Ariel Vorhoff

Texts and Materials

• The Official SAT Study Guide (provided)
• College Connections Student Workbook (provided)/li>
• Index cards (provided)
• Pencils
• An inexpensive calculator (one that allows you to do square roots easily)
• An inexpensive notebook
• An inexpensive pocket dictionary (suggested)

Welcome

As a participant in the 2008 PSAT Team you will learn about important test-taking strategies, and reading, writing, and math concepts essential for doing well on the PSAT exam. The purpose of PSAT Team is to prepare students for the rigors of the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The PSAT will be administered to Kamehameha students on October 11, 2008. The test will provide practice for the SAT, an exam used by many colleges and universities as a factor in admissions decisions, and to determine which students are eligible for National Merit recognition. Instructors will review and teach content material as needed, but due to the (inevitable) variety of student aptitudes, instructors will focus on general strategies for concurring the PSAT exam and helping students practice taking the actual SAT exam. In many ways, CCH’s SAT prep courses are run much the same way as college classes. Instructors expect your full attention when they are addressing the class, and they will not tolerate distraction or anything that may be detrimental to other students' progress. College admissions and the PSAT are serious subjects, but on the other hand CCH believes that learning is inherently fun! So, there will be both serious and fun aspects to your time on the PSAT Team.

Rules

Kamehameha Schools Kapālama is funding the entire cost of the program. There are special policies to minimize absences and promote personal kuleana (responsibility).

1. Be respectful of the instructors, your teammates, and the class itself at all times. Violations will result in individual counseling, possibly leading to dismissal from the class (KS accounts will be charged $12/hour accordingly).
2. Students must come to class, with a positive attitude, on-time and prepared with complete assignments.
3. Students are expected to attend all scheduled class sessions. KS accounts will be charged $12 for each hour of scheduled instruction missed. This policy applies to tardiness as well as unexcused absences.
4. Excused absences and assignments must be made up within one week of the missed class session.
5. Students are expected to complete all homework assignments as assigned. Students who do not complete their homework are considered “unprepared” for class and can be marked absent.
6. Students must maintain their academic standing or face dismissal from the Team.

General Notes

• Class will ALWAYS begin on-time, and will include lectures, full-length timed practice exams, group discussions, and collaborative practice.
• EXAM DAYS will be moderated SAT simulations. Many students say this is the most valuable part of the course, as the duration of the SAT is intimidating to many. Just becoming accustomed to the format can improve scores!
• PARTICIPATE and ASK QUESTIONS of your instructor, before, after, or, especially, during class.
• Check the website periodically for updates, assignments, and answers.

Class Calendar
Class Sessions	Class Content	Homework Assingments
Session 1	Special Schedule Testing Day	Special Schedule Testing Day
Session 2	Contextualizing the Test General Test Taking Strategies Vocabulary Builder Sentence Completions Reading Questions	Flashcards and Blue Book, pages 390-394 (Test 1, Section 2), pages 401-406 (Test 1, Section 5)
Session 3	Common Grammar Errors Improving Sentences Essays Vocabulary Assessment Writing	Flashcards and Blue Book, page 389 (Essay), pages 413-418 (Test 1, Section 7)
Session 4	Contextualizing the Test General Test Taking Strategies Vocabulary Builder Sentence Completions Reading Questions	Flashcards and Blue Book, pages 395-400 (Test 1, Section 3),
Session 5	Special Schedule Testing Day	Special Schedule Testing Day