This course is appropriate for any student wanting to prepare for the PSAT and SAT, or any student wanting to improve vocabulary/reading for other standardized tests. Do note that the vocabulary/reading levels of the passages range from 7th grade and beyond, but I do not restrict student age levels. Also, note that the SAT no longer assigns students an essay to write. Instead, students complete a critical reading section and a writing section. This class focuses PRIMARILY on skills to benefit the critical reading section including vocabulary acquisition and application, nuances of words, roots of words, logic-based reading and thinking, reading strategies, and application of vocabulary in context. In addition, students will learn how to find context clues based on the passages (i.e. looking for synonym hints, antonym hints, inference hints, punctuation clues, etc.)

I have taken 2 workshops in the Spring of 2022  (including the Indiana GEAR Up SAT professional development workshop) that cover ways to prepare students for the SAT and PSAT. I also tutor students in preparing for the SAT. I also have a plethora of practice resources if you would like more than what is provided in this course.

This is an ongoing course. Topics do not build on each other. Learners may enter and leave at any time.
 Topics Covered:
-Functions of phrases/passages
-Vocabulary in context
-Main Ideas
-Inference
-Context Clues
-Homophones
-idiomatic expressions

Each covers roughly 12 words and 3-4 roots. Classes do not build on each other; learners may join and leave at any time. Each class also includes an optional quiz.


Schedule: Fall Semester 2024

Week of August 21 Roots: Intro to context clues, PHOT/PHOS, LUC/LUX/LUCIS, SPEC/SPECT, VID/VIS  
Grammar: Modifiers + Subjects

Week of August 28: NUNC/NOUNC, VOC/VOK, FA, DICT/DIC    Grammar: Transitional Conjunctions

Week of September 4: HIB/HAB, FUS/FOUND, TEN/TAIN/TIN, PLE   Grammar: Transitional Adverbs

Week of September 11: FORM, APT/EPT, POS/PON, FIG    Grammar: Pronoun Agreement Part 1

Week of September 18: LEGA, ACT/AG, PULS/PEL, LAT     Grammar: Pronoun Agreement Part 2

Week of September 25: CANT/CHANT, AUD,  SON, LOG  Grammar: Verbs

Week of October 2:  BELL, AM, AGON, PHIL   Grammar: Punctuating with Dashes

Week of October 9: PED, VEST, CORPOR, CORPU  Grammar: Punctuating with Colons

Week of October 16: UNI, MONO, HOMO, EQUI    Grammar: Using Semicolons

Week of October 23: BEN, CORD, ANIM, MAL    Grammar: Punctuating Appositives

Week of October 30: JUR, DOMIN, CRAT/CRAC, LEG   Grammar:  Semicolons for Clarity

Week of November 6: RAP, CEP, VOR, CAD/CAS   Grammar:   Other Comma Usage

Week of November 13: FLU, LEV, LAPS, CED   Grammar: Using Apostrophes

Week of November 20:  SEQU/SECU, CUR/COUR, GRAD/GRESS, AMBL/AMBUL   Grammar:  More Comma Usage (dependent, independent clauses)

No Class Week of Thanksgiving

Week of December 4: JUNCT, PART, CLUS/CLUD, CID/CIS  Grammar:  Less common Punctuation


MISSED CLASSES
If your student misses a class, a recording will always be accessible on the classroom page. The PowerPoint lessons and quizzes are always available as well. Do note that learners that leave and then come back (i.e. pausing a subscription) may not be able to see my posts if I posted anything while they are away. Reach out to see if you missed anything. Recordings are unfortunately unavailable for weeks that your learner does not attend AND if they have not been present for a live class (Outschool Policy).

REFUND POLICY 
If your student is not able to attend in person but stays enrolled, refunds will not be issued. This is because the student can still access the materials, recordings, and receive feedback for assignments. I do provide refunds for emergency situations. If you have a tech or Zoom issue, contact Support and mention the Happiness Guarantee.

RECORDINGS
Recordings are released automatically. Do note that a student must attend at least one live class in order to be able to see the recordings

PARTICIPATION
Providing students an enjoyable and safe learning environment is my top priority. New students must briefly confirm identity and then they may choose to keep cameras off if they wish. Students are welcome to participate/communicate in the way that they are most comfortable with (chat or raising hand and speaking). I also do not cold call on students; this can be very anxiety-inducing for learners.