ACT Resources

ACT Student Test Prep
 - This site is the official ACT site. Here you will find practice tests, question of the day, test tips, etc.

USA Test Prep
- This is a site provided to you by LSN. You were sent your username and password in an email from Dr. Meisenheimer.  This is a great site to practice individual ACT skills or take the practice tests.

Tips to improve ACT

ACT Reading Challenge
- Helps you learn the top 100 vocab words for the ACT.

ACT Vocabulary Words
- Here is a list of vocabulary words that can help with reading comprehension and recognition.

More ACT Vocabulary

ACT- English: Grammar/Mechanics Flashcards

Top 10 Grammar Rules for ACT

ACT Punctuation Rules

ACT Grammar Refresher

ACT Grammar Practice Questions
- This is a great site to go through the questions and review the answers to determine if there is a pattern in questions you are missing. The answers are very thorough in explaining the skill. This will be very helpful.

US World Report- 3 Keys for Success on Science Test- ACT

ACT Science Practice test
- This site has the questions and an answer key.
Science Practice test

PSAT Practice Resources

Here are some great resources to help you prepare for the PSAT:

PSAT:

Full PSAT PDF Practice Test
Full PSAT PDF Practice Test 2
Specific PSAT Skills
- This site will give give you a general overview of the PSAT and some great modules for the specific skills assessed on the PSAT. Focus on the answers and the rationale for what determines the RIGHT answer.

PSAT Vocabulary Flash Cards
PSAT Vocab List
PSAT/SAT Vocab List
PSAT Quizlet Vocab
PSAT Vocab- Prefixes and Suffixes
- These are links to vocabulary flash cards/lists that can help with the critical reading and writing skills tests

College Board PSAT practice site
- This site provides an in depth look at the PSAT from the College Board.

USA Test Prep
- Though this is not a specific site for PSAT, there are some SAT test questions that may be helpful. I would stick with this site for writing and reading practice... If you go to the math questions, stick with the lower numbered questions.

PSAT Math Section
- This is a PDF math practice test from McGraw-Hill

Kaplan YouTube Math Links
- A great collection of math tutorial links

PSAT Math "Backsolving"

PSAT How to Guess Strategically- Math

PSAT Grid-In Video Example

ACT Prep Information

USA TEST PREP- ACT Prep site

Official ACT Site- test prep

Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year!

Here is some sage advice from previous students:

Supplies for Schulenberg-Cole's Classes

The following are the suggested supplies that students will need for my classes:

1. 3-ringed binder (This will be your best friend for organization with class materials)
2. Loose-leaf paper (For binder.. pretty obvious)
3. Binder dividers. (Sectioning off class notes... class handouts... homework, etc.)
4. Familiarity with Google Drive and Google account. (This will be utilized often)
5. Pens (Anything turned into me will be in pen or typed)

6. Post-its. The little cube works best!
7. An open mind (Not sure if these are applicable during the tax-free weekend, or not) :)

LSN ACT Information

Click on the following link to access:
National Test Dates and LSN Prep Class Schedule

Close Reading Questions!

DOING A CLOSE READING:

I. First Impressions:

• What is the first thing you notice about the passage?
• What is the second thing?
• Do the two things you noticed complement each other? Or contradict each other?
• What mood does the passage create in you? Why?

II. Vocabulary and Diction:

• Which words do you notice first? Why? What is noteworthy about this diction?
• How do the important words relate to one another?
• Do any words seem oddly used to you? Why?
• Do any words have double meanings? Do they have extra connotations?
• Look up any unfamiliar words.

III. Discerning Patterns:

• Does an image here remind you of an image elsewhere in the book? Where? What's the connection?
• How might this image fit into the pattern of the book as a whole?
• Could this passage symbolize the entire work? Could this passage serve as a microcosm--a little picture--of what's taking place in the whole work?
• What is the sentence rhythm like? Short and choppy? Long and flowing? Does it build on itself or stay at an even pace? What is the style like?
• Look at the punctuation. Is there anything unusual about it?
• Is there any repetition within the passage? What is the effect of that repetition?
• How many types of writing are in the passage? (For example, narration, description, argument, dialogue, rhymed or alliterative poetry, etc.)
• Can you identify paradoxes in the author's thought or subject?
• What is left out or kept silent? What would you expect the author to talk about that the author avoided?

IV. Point of View and Characterization:

• How does the passage make us react or think about any characters or events within the narrative?
• Are there colors, sounds, physical description that appeals to the senses? Does this imagery form a pattern? Why might the author have chosen that color, sound or physical description?
• Who speaks in the passage? To whom does he or she speak? Does the narrator have a limited or partial point of view? Or does the narrator appear to be omniscient, and he knows things the characters couldn't possibly know? (For example, omniscient narrators might mention future historical events, events taking place "off stage," the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters, and so on).

V. Symbolism:

• Are there metaphors? What kinds?
• Is there one controlling metaphor? If not, how many different metaphors are there, and in what order do they occur? How might that be significant?
• How might objects represent something else?
• Do any of the objects, colors, animals, or plants appearing in the passage have traditional connotations or meaning? What about religious or biblical significance?
• If there are multiple symbols in the work, could we read the entire passage as having allegorical meaning beyond the literal level?