Do One Day Regents and AP Review Classes Even Work?
I remember when Patrick came to me and said we should offer Regents Review Classes.
I thought he was crazy.
I had never heard of such a thing. Yet, he was so passionate and his vision was so pronounced: These one day classes would allow students to review the subject's curriculum, gain lots of confidence, and be better prepared for their Regents exams.
I was still skeptical.
Could a one day review even work? Playing devil's advocate, I asked myself "Why would anyone want to take a one day review class anyway?" As an English teacher, my subject matter is far more abstract than say, algebra, earth science, or geometry. I listened to Patrick because he was so passionate about the idea. But, I wasn't entirely sold. Could one day reviews for tests such as Regents exams and AP exams really work?
Over the course of several months, Patrick and I went back and forth, finally...
Here are a few things to keep an eye on so you can prevent the dreaded Second Quarter Slide.
Here’s a quick definition:
Second Quarter Slide (n.): a phenomenon in which a student’s average drops from five to ten points after a productive first quarter.
For many students, the start of the school year is a great time in which students are focused and ready to perform. However, after the first quarter, many students become lax and don’t work as hard as they did during the first quarter. The grade drop then refocuses students in the third quarter, who rebound by working even harder to get their grades up to where they were the first quarter.
Unfortunately, the Second Quarter Slide is a real thing that has happened to students for generations. You can easily tell if your child has suffered from this by checking old report cards. If you notice any dips in grades during the second quarter, then your child will most...
ACT: The New(er) Kid on the Block
By now, you have likely at least heard of the ACT. This post is designed to give you a basic understanding of the test and its sections. In later writings, I will go more in depth with each section of the ACT in order to help you best prepare yourself and your children.
So, what exactly is the ACT?
The ACT is a standardized test that is used by colleges to determine admission. Unlike the SAT, the ACT (at least in the northeast) has only become popular over the last few years. The ACT consists of 5 parts, though the last part is optional. These parts, in the order they appear on the test, are:
English
Math
Reading
Science
Writing
What is tested on the ACT English section?
Grammar and stylistic reasoning are tested on the ACT English section. In a nutshell, this is a grammar test, so students need to know the rules of grammar. When I tutor students I go...
If your son or daughter is about to take the SAT and/or ACT, this can either be an enjoyable or stressful time in your life. This post is designed to help make the SAT and ACT process just a little easier for you. Over my years of teaching and tutoring, I have found that most parents and students enter this stage of their lives without any real understanding of what to expect. Here are three things that can make the SAT and ACT process smoother, along with quick tips to make them a reality.
Stamina is often the most overlooked aspect of the SAT and ACT
If there is one thing that parents and students overlook about the SAT and ACT, it is how long these tests are. Clocking in at just under 3 hours without the essay and 3 hours and 40 minutes with the optional essay, the ACT is a marathon for the brain. The SAT is more of the same:...
The end of the summer is always symbolic for me because it signifies the end of a year. Personally, I have never operated on the traditional calendar. Of course January 1st is technically the first day of the new year, but I have always found that the end of the summer and the beginning of the school year is more of the new year for me. I guess I've always felt this way and as a teacher it's no different. And as the long days slowly become shorter and the hot weather slowly cools (hopefully soon), I always reflect on the previous 365 days and set goals and desires for the next 365.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I have a feeling the beginning of the school year is a new year for students of all ages. As much as it is a time of new hopes and dreams, new clothes and new shoes, it is potentially a time...
Every year, I have the same nightmare right before school begins. The dream always involves feeling lost. It is fifth or sixth period and I can't find my classroom. I know what time it is and I know I have class. . . I just can't seem to find it. Fear is in the air. Anxiety hangs over me like a fog. No matter what I do, I can't find my class. And, to make matters worse, I tend to have the dream several nights in a row leading up to school and sometimes the dream lasts even after school has begun. The crazy thing: I've been teaching for a long time!
I know I'm not alone here. I'm sure thousands of teachers have similar experiences. And this got me thinking: who else has the infamous "back to school nightmare"? Is it just the teachers, or do parents and students have similar "nightmares"?
The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that...
I find Zig Ziglar's quote "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great" really telling. If you're a student, you may be beginning your journey toward SAT classes or ACT classes. You may be in need of advice about how to write a college essay or you may just want to make it through a math class that really is causing you trouble. Hey, maybe you are searching for the answers to burning questions about the world. Either way, this quote is perfect for you to think about. Sitting on the sideline won't do anything for you. Waiting only leads to frustration. You need to get started. So, take that first step.
If you are a parent, you have come to the right place. Tutoring for SAT and ACT is a scary predicament for many, especially if you are new to this. You want to make the best choice among your options. Kaplan, Precision, Princeton . . . which do you choose? You...
