October 13, 2015

We started the day with an overview of what students can expect tomorrow as we take the PSAT test. Mr. O'Brien sent some great reminders:

1.  Bring your own calculator.

2.  Answer EVERY question even if you have to guess (there is no penalty for incorrect answers anymore).

3.  The top scoring 10th graders will be invited to Hebron’s FREE PSAT prep course 

Here is the format:

Section 1:  Critical Reading, 60 minutes, 47 questions

Section 2:  Writing and Language, 35 minutes, 44 questions

Section 3:  Math (no calculator), 25 minutes, 17 questions

Section 4:  Math (calculator), 45 minutes, 31 questions

Math is scored out of 760 and reading/writing is combined to be scored out of 760 for a maximum of 1520. We have no idea what the cutoff scores will be.

Students will report to their testing rooms by 8:15. Testing should be complete by noon, and B block lunch will begin at 12:20. Third and 4th period classes will be a little shorter to accommodate the day's schedule.

For our writer's notebook entry, we listened to a young man share his thoughts in an essay titled, "Accomplishing Big Things in Small Pieces." I asked students to consider this: What might be your Rubik's Cube? What’s something constant in your life that you can rely on to help you overcome obstacles? It doesn’t have to be a physical object--maybe it’s a phrase or a goal.

We looked over the Antigone Analysis packet. Students will be able to use this packet along with their Oedipus and Antigone questions and Greek drama notes on Friday's test. We used the remaining class time to prepare and practice the Add-a-Scene activity. Students will present these in class Thursday, Friday, and Monday.