Which assessment is best for me: ACT or SAT?

Deciding whether to take the ACT or SAT test can be stressful, however it can also be a simple decision.  The SAT test assesses critical thinking skills.  The questions tend to be on the wordier side and can cause students to lose focus on what is being asked.  If you are a critical thinker, this test is challenging and would be a great fit for you.  If you are not a critical thinker, you are not alone!  The ACT, inversely, assesses the knowledge of subject matter.  The questions are more straight forward and it is written more along the lines of a test taken in school.  Students tend to be more familiar with this format and have less anxiety about taking this test.  However, science is a component of the ACT which students are not familiar with taking a standardized assessment on this subject therefore this section tends to cause students a bit of anxiety.  Once students begin to review for the test, they realize that the science section is not necessary recalling numerous facts rather it is interpreting graphs and charts and comprehending science based passages, they become more comfortable with the test.

When deciding which assessment is best for you, take an hour or two and head to your local bookstore or library.  Take a look at both an ACT review text and a SAT review text.  Try a few problems from each section out of both books.  Which questions were you more confident answering?  Which questions made you feel uncomfortable or anxious?  This will allow you to get a feel for each test and help guide you in the correct direction.  Money comes into play when registering for both the SAT and ACT tests, but if possible, consider registering for both at least once.  This will allow you to get a deeper feel for which assessment is best for you.  Statistics show the average high school student takes the SAT test at least twice, some taking it more.  Allowing yourself to deeply understand the two assessments and find the best fit is arming yourself with the best ammo to achieve your goal score when applying to your top school.

Blog submitted by Meredith Mathers, Team Tutor Test Prep Specialist

Project Planning for your Elementary Aged Child

My twin second graders came home this week with a math project that is due in 2 weeks.  The goal of this project is to find photos of 13 different shapes: solid figures & plane shapes. The teacher has an extensive rubric clearly outlined for this project. My girls were very excited to start this project but they seemed a little overwhelmed at first with the scope of it all. We sat together at our dining room table and broke down the project in small tangible tasks. They not only took ownership in this process but they eagerly got started.

Here are some tips that have worked for us that can help make a big project a little less intimidating for your elementary aged child.

1. Post the project due date on your family calendar. (Bright colors are best!)
2. Rewrite the steps in a simple and clear list format so they can check off when they have completed each task. (This helps promote independence!)
3. Set a schedule for each task and also put these dates on your family calendar.
4. Designate a special project folder and place it in  your “homework bin”. This will keep the project organized.

I hope you find these tips helpful. These will sure make any project a little stressful for you and your child! Happy Learning!

SAT vs ACT? How do I choose?

Many students hear the acronyms SAT and ACT, yet they are not aware of differences and similarities between the two assessments.  The SAT test measures reasoning and critical thinking skills and is comprised of 3 components: writing, reading, and mathematics.  The writing section requires an essay to be written in addition to editing grammatical errors.  The reading section includes multiple choice questions on comprehension and sentence completion.  The math section tests arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and algebra II concepts through multiple choice and open ended responses.  The ACT test on the other hand, measures the knowledge of subject matter and is comprised of 4 components: English, mathematics, reading, and science.  Writing is an optional component inclusive of writing an essay.  The English section assesses usage/mechanics and rhetoric skills through multiple choice questions.  Mathematics is also assessed using multiple choice questions on the topics of geometry, algebra, and trigonometry.  The reading section covers comprehension of fiction, social studies, humanities, and natural science passages.  Lastly, the science section includes science-based passages and the interpretation of data.

While there are similarities and differences between both tests, understanding the tests is beneficial and essential to succeed on the test.  It allows you to better prepare for the test and for there to be no surprises the day of the exam.  This helps decrease test anxiety and gives you a clear, prepared, mentality when taking the test that you will be sending off to your top school choice.  It also allows you to choose which test would be the best fit for you in order to ensure your success on the test.

Blog submitted by Meredith Mathers, Team Tutor Test Prep Specialist

Weekly Resource – Energy Anyone?

Teach the kids about energy! Learn all about energy and have fun while learning! Check out this week’s resource – www.eia.gov/kids – and discover what energy is, where it comes from, and how to use and conserve it! The site offers games, activities and much more! It also provides great content for teachers!

Check out Mindware for Great Educational Toys and Gifts

Looking for a few fun educational gifts for kids this holiday season? If so, check out Mindware. This educational game retailer offers puzzles, brainteasers, arts and crafts activities, mysteries, mazes and more to teach and entertain children and adults.

Their Science games teach and reinforce chemistry, biology, botany, physics, engineering, technology and “green” science,  while their Brainteaser games are a fun way to learn and practice math and logic skills, critical thinking skills and language skills.

At Mindware, you are sure to find something for everyone. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Reading Resource – International Reading Association

The International Reading Association, founded in 1956, is a nonprofit, global network of individuals and institutions committed to worldwide literacy. The association’s mission is to promote reading by continuously advancing the quality of literacy instruction and research worldwide.

More than 70,000 members strong, the Association supports literacy professionals through a wide range of resources, advocacy efforts, volunteerism, and professional development activities.   The organization is committed to disseminating research and information about reading and encouraging a lifelong reading habit.

Click here to see the resources they have available for parents.

Science Anyone?

There are a host of websites out there that cater to the math and spelling needs of young students. It’s not always so easy to find a good on-line science resource for kids. If you have a budding Eisenstein at home, I’ve got a site for you – PBS Kids’ Zoom. This awesome website offers a variety of science-based games and provide hours of experimental learning.  Kids can explore rotational speed, gravity, chemistry concepts and a whole lot more. Check it out today!

Aha Moments

In my 15 plus years as an educator, I have worked in a variety of settings from the classroom to small group to one-on-one instruction. I have enjoyed each venue for a variety of reasons and each has produced many memorable moments. I find it particularly rewarding when I’m present to witness a student’s “aha moment” – that pivotal moment when the light bulb goes on and they accomplish a goal or grasp a new concept. It’s even more exciting when I have a part in making it happen.  

For the past four months I have been introducing the Wilson reading method to a small group of students – for those teachers out there, you will appreciate this blog even more!

We have been working on cvc words and building each student’s reading fluency. It has been a very long journey and just this past week one of my students finally showed dramatic improvement. He read a 7 sentence passage fluently! Upon completing his passage, his eyes widened and he flashed me the biggest brightest smile I had ever seen. He was so very proud of his accomplishment! I looked at him with pride and said, “this is what we have been working so hard for, you are doing it – you can do it!”

 These are the priceless moments I love the most. To witness a student’s growth and share their joy for learning is such a blessing!

Please share your “aha teaching moments” – I’m always looking for inspiration! 

Monday’s Resource – Cool Math 4 Kids

Looking to get the kids more interested in Math? Having trouble finding ways to keep them engaged while having fun? Cool Math 4 Kids is a math site specially designed for what kids like and how they learn!  The site promotes fun ways to learn math concepts.  Check it out – www.coolmath4kids.com.

 

Thanksgiving Reading Resouces

Looking for a way to introduce the meaning of Thanksgiving to your children? Start with a good book! Books are wonderful tools to help introduce new ideas and open up a dialogue.

Check out these excellent children’s book about Thanksgiving.