Scholastic Aptitude Test

Taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test can be of immense value to any student interested in developing skill in technical fields such as gaining CCNA certification or seeking employment in any specialized field. Composed of three parts, it is designed to test literacy, problem solving, and communication skills. Although for most schools taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test is a prerequisite for entry, it would be on one's best interest to check first before deciding whether or not to take the test. A number of schools feel that as a behavioral study it may be biased racially, ethnically, and economically. In any case, achieving a high score on the test can be of immense help in ongoing education and the subsequent quest for employment.

Of course the key to such success is to prepare yourself properly, as with any exam. The tests are given seven times a year and can be retaken, yet with proper preparation one can optimize their performance on the test. There are various ways one could do this. There are various on line tools that can be used, ranging from practice tests, to information to study. There are also many books that can be purchased that achieve the same purpose. Another method of test prep is a study class so that an instructor can help improve weak areas and reinforce strong ones. Another way is, of course, software. There are numerous options available to purchase software that offers tutorials and interactive mock tests that can grade your progress and point out the areas that need improvement. These can be quite useful as downloads when classes and tutors may be unavailable or hard to reach.

As mentioned above the SAT test is composed of three parts. The writing section of the test is composed of an essay as well as multiple choice questions. This section tests a student's ability to express themselves and support their ideas, as well as proper written communication. The next section of the test deals with math, given multiple choice questions as well as a few student response questions. This is the problem solving section of the SAT as questions here range from algebra to data analysis. Finally, literacy is tested, in the critical reading section. The ability to read and comprehend quickly is the focus here, with sentence completion questions and a reading section followed by questions to be answered.

An important point to remember is that a blank question takes nothing away from the overall score, while an incorrect question may deduct points. Therefore it is better to leave an answer blank unless you can eliminate most of the multiple choice and make an educated guess.

Greg Prather owns and operates http://www.scholasticaptitudetestanswers.com - Scholastic Aptitude Test

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Teachers - Alternatives to Book Reports - For the Artists in Your Classroom

Artists abound in classrooms! Yours included, I imagine. If you want to provide your students with alternatives to traditional book reports that will appeal to their artistic traits, here are some suggestions (and each is worded exactly the way I have given them to students, on specially-created handouts):

1. Demonstrate some of the art techniques used in Caldecott Award books. What and where are some of the sources from which you can learn about these techniques? Talk to your teacher, the librarian, and/or your art teacher. Write some of the ideas you have. Also, write down the names of some of the techniques you have learned about and want to explore further.
2. Use a box of 64 crayons to create a picture (or a series of pictures)about your book. You may illustrate scenes, characters, events, or whatever gives others a sense about what your book was REALLY about. You will have an opportunity to display your pictures on the bulletin board or wall of your classroom. Begin by writing some of the ideas you have for what you will draw.
3. Prepare a book jacket that illustrates the kind of book as well as the story in the book that you read. Remember, a book jacket has an enticing summary of the book on the inside front or on the back. Be sure to include this part. Begin writing and sketching some of your ideas. (Teachers, See if your librarian will let you replace the original book jacket with the "new and improved" one. Or, maybe a recommended book wall can be created to display the projects.)
4. Paint life-size book characters. Begin by having a friend lie on a large sheet of paper while you trace around his or her figure. Then, paint or make clothes for your characters that are the same as ones they wore in the book, or ones that they would pick out to wear. Brainstorm and write down which character(s)are you going to paint? Why?
5. Take (or draw) pictures that tell the one episode of the book that you read. Display your pictures for others to enjoy. Begin writing (or sketching) out some of your ideas. Think about the idea that "a picture paints a thousand words." What kind of pictures will best represent the ideas of your story?
6. Do a new set of illustrations for the book you read - or, if it didn't have any illustrations, then create some! Plan the type of media you will use carefully. Begin planning and writing down which ideas and scenes from the book you want to illustrate.
7. Create a colorful picture(using torn construction paper)that represents the book or one of the stories within your book. Begin writing out some of your planning.

You will be delighted to see the students engage in these book report alternatives, plus they will be much more indicative of the students' understanding of the books they are reading. Have some fun, and if you want to access the full-color version (immediately downloadable) of *80 Alternatives to Book Reports* as well as scores of free resources that you can use to build reading, writing, and learning in your classroom, including PowerPoints, PDFs, and Word documents, just go to...

** http://www.OwningWordsforLiteracy.com - and you can click on the Downloads tab.

To get numerous articles with teaching tips (for free), just go to

http://www.ArticlesforTeachers.com and see what's there for you to use in your classroom.

(c) 2009 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., "The Ph.D. of Productivity"(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

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