Image from the Art Renewal Center
February 6, 2010
January 23, 2010
January 18, 2010
The Graphing Calculator
Mathbits has some good information on how to use the TI-89 and how to use the TI-83/84. Valuable stuff for those taking math or getting ready for the SAT or ACT.
Update (1-21-10, 9:32 AM): I highly recommend that you be fluent with a graphing calculator for the tests. The test makers might say that the calculator might help, might not, and might slow you down, but they are talking to a general audience, including people who do not know how to use a calculator, people who are trying to use one they are unfamiliar with, and people who do not know how to use the graphing calculator effectively on the tests. The fact is that the calculator can make some of the questions, even some of the ones rated “hard,” virtually brainless; it makes it possible to get some easy points on the SAT, ACT, TAKS, and AP exams.
November 16, 2009
Grammar: A Practical
Seen in a laundry room (of an apartment complex):
We have received several reports of items (laundry baskets, clothes, ect………………….) being taken from the laundry room that does not belong to them. If it doesn’t belong to you, don’t take it!!
**If anyone is seen taking any item(s) that do not belong to them please report it to the office immediately.
Any grammatical mistakes in the quote? Stylistic issues? Punctuation problems? Errors of logic? What do you think?
This is the kind of thing you have to know and correct for the SAT and ACT.
November 14, 2009
“Morning” by Victor Hugo
The mist of the morning is torn by the peaks
Old towers gleam white in the ray,
And already the glory so joyously seeks
The lark that’s saluting the day.
Then smile away, man, at the heavens so fair,
Though, were you swept hence in the night,
From your dark, lonely tomb the owlets would stare
At the sun rising newly as bright.
But out of earth’s trammels your soul would have flown
Where glitters Eternity’s stream,
And you shall have wake ‘midst pure glories unknown,
As sunshine disperses a dream.
from: Odes and Ballads
Translated by: H.L. Williams
Poem from Victor Hugo Central.
It is things like this you need to read to prepare yourself for the SAT, ACT, etc. — great writing is invaluable in helping you grasp how language is and should be used and in helping you learn to write.
November 10, 2009
“The Worst Treason” by Victor Hugo
The deepest infamy man can attain,
Is to strangle Rome, or France enchain;
Whate’er the place, the land, the city be,
‘T is to rob man of soul and liberty;
‘T is with drawn sword the senate to invade,
And murder law in its own court betrayed.
To enslave the land is guilt of such black dye,
It is ne’er quitted by God’s vengeful eye;
The crime once done, the day of grace expires,
Heaven’s punishment, which, howe’er slow, ne’er tires,
Begins to march, and comes serene and calm,
With her steel knotted whip beneath her arm.
From: Chatiments
Translated by: Henry Carrington
Poem from Victor Hugo Central.
It is things like this you need to read to prepare yourself for the SAT, ACT, etc. — great writing is invaluable in helping you grasp how language is and should be used and in helping you learn to write.
August 19, 2009
Practice Standardized Tests
The New York State Education Department Website has some archives of NY state tests and Regents tests in all subjects. They would be good to use to test a student/yourself in a subject area or to get ready for a standardized test.
August 18, 2009
Resources For the COMPASS Test
If you are interested in taking the COMPASS tests, you could download some practice questions, e.g., in math and reading, in pdf form.
They describe the type of calculators you can use on the math test; looks like you could use a graphing calculator such as the TI-83 or -84. I recommend you take advantage of it!
The site also has some general sample questions and general information about the test.
July 17, 2009
SAT/ACT Essay Writing
The Online Writing Lab of Roane State Community College some descriptions of various types of essay, with examples. I have looked at some of this, but not all.
You can read some discussion of essay types and some examples of essays here:
Classic essays (good stuff here!!)
But if you want some real help on writing for the SAT and ACT, give me a call!
Grammar Texts
Here are some grammar/writing texts I’d recommend:
Writing and Thinking by Foerster and Steadman — Jean Moroney has a review of the book on the Website of the bookseller The Paper Tiger.
Dictionary of English Usage by Fowler (avoid the third edition!!) — You can download a pdf of the Dictionary (1927 edition) on the Website of the Internet Archive.
Woe is I by Patricia O’Conner — Jessica Mocle has a review of the book on the Website of the Dallas-Fort Worth Society for Technical Communication.
Rex Barks by Phyllis Davenport — Lisa VanDamme has a good review of the book on her blog Pedagogically Correct.
I have read the first and last; the other two I’ve had recommended to me (from reliable sources); I have not looked at them myself, so I’m not sure about the quality, but I’m expecting they are good.
This information, by the way, is critical for doing well on the “writing” section of the SAT and ACT.
