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Friday, April 4, 2014

SAT and ACT Test Prep Classes

Homeschool Connections is offering a number of SAT and ACT test prep course in the fall and spring. (See: Math SAT/ACT Prep for a summer 2014 course).

Please scroll down to see details of the live, interactive courses. To register, go to: HSC Registration.

Note: These courses are also available as recorded, independent-learning courses though our Unlimited Access program.


FALL 2014
SAT Quick Test Prep
Notes: The SAT test dates for the 2014/2015 school year are: Oct. 11; Nov. 8; Dec. 6; Jan. 24; Mar. 14; May 2; and June 6. Please visit the College Board website to verify dates and to register.
We will offer this course again in January 2015.
Class dates: Mondays, September 15 and September 22, 2014
Total classes: 2
Starting time: Noon Eastern (11:00 Central; 10:00 Mountain; 9:00 Pacific)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade
Fee: $30 if you register on or before August 1, 2014. $40 if you register after Aug. 1st for 2 classes.
Instructor: Geralyn Rea, ME
Course description: In this SAT Quick Test Prep Course, your student will learn information in two critical areas that will allow for success in taking the SAT: 1) About the test itself: what happens in an SAT testing situation, what is on the test, how long the testing sections last, what students are and are not allowed to do, and how the test is scored, and 2) How to study for the SAT: how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to the week before testing, be fully prepared for the test.
Course outline:
Class 1: About the test itself: what happens in an SAT testing situation, what is on the test, how long the testing sections last, what students are and are not allowed to do, and how the test is scored
Class 2: How to study for the SAT: how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the test
Course materials:
Provided free by the instructor.
Homework: Daily practice.

ACT Test Prep
Notes: The ACT test dates for the 2014/2015 school year are: Oct. 25; Dec. 13; Feb. 7; Apr. 18; and June 13. Please visit the College Board website to verify dates and to register.
We will offer this course again in January 2015.
Class dates: Wednesdays, September 3 to September 24, 2014
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 3:00 pm Eastern (2:00 Central; 1:00 Mountain; Noon Pacific)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Fee: $55 if you register on or before August 1, 2014. $65 if you register after Aug. 1st for 4 classes.
Instructor
: Geralyn Rea, ME
Course description: In this ACT Test Prep Course, your student will learn information in two critical areas that will allow for success with the ACT: 1) about the test itself: what happens in an ACT testing situation, what is on the test, how long the testing sections last, what students are and are not allowed to do, and how the test is scored, and 2) how to study for the ACT: how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the test.
Course outline:
Class 1: about the test itself: what happens in an ACT testing situation, what is on the test, how long the testing sections last, what students are and are not allowed to do, and how the test is scored, and general preparation
Class 2: Math and Science: how to study, how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the math and science portions of the test
Class 3: Reading and English: how to study, how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the reading and English portions of the test
Class 4: Writing: how to approach the essays, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the writing essays on the test
Course materials: Provided free by the instructor.
Homework: Daily practice.
NOTE: This course tells the student what to study but does not work on increasing your student’s skills with personal feedback. If you want personal feedback to increase skills in the reading, English, and writing portions of the test, sign up for the ACT English and Writing Test Prep course that immediately follows this course.

ACT/SAT English and Writing Test Prep
We will offer this course again in February 2015.
Class dates: Wednesdays, October 1 to October 22, 2014
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 3:00 pm Eastern (2:00 Central; 1:00 Mountain; Noon Pacific)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Fee: $75 if you register on or before August 1, 2014. $85 if you register after Aug. 1st for 4 classes plus personal feedback.
Instructor
: Geralyn Rea, ME
Course description:  In this ACT English and Writing Test Prep Course, your student will get personal help with his or her English writing skills in a way that enhances their ability to score well on the ACT English and Writing portions of the exam. Students will view actual ACT English and Writing test questions, analyze the questions, and learn how to approach the questions for success. Students will also learn how to analyze a writing prompt, sculpt a good essay, and use their writing time to produce a high-scoring essay.
Course outline:
Class 1: The English Section: types of questions on the English portion of the test; how to analyze questions; how to read the questions for hints regarding the answers; practice test questions; introduction to the writing portion of the test.
Class 2: The English Section continued.
Class 3: The Writing Section of the test: analyzing numerous prompts; analyzing well-written essays; creating essays together, live; words and phrases to avoid/words and phrases to use; “diamond words” and their use in writing an essay; and what to do to be fully prepared for the writing portion of the test.
Class 4: The Writing Section continued.
Course materials: Provided free by the instructor.
Homework:  Assignments will increase your student’s skills with personal feedback on his or her skills, as well as specific suggestions for improving scores.


SPRING 2015
SAT Quick Test Prep
Note: The upcoming SAT test dates are Jan. 24; Mar. 14; May 2; and June 6. Please visit the College Board website to verify dates and to register.
Class dates: Mondays, January 12 to January 19, 2015.
Total classes: 2
Starting time: Noon Eastern (11:00 Central; 10:00 Mountain; 9:00 Pacific)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade
Fee: $30 if you register on or before November 15, 2014. $40 if you register after Nov. 15th for 2 classes.
Instructor: Geralyn Rea, ME
Course description: In this SAT Quick Test Prep Course, your student will learn information in two critical areas that will allow for success in taking the SAT: 1) About the test itself: what happens in an SAT testing situation, what is on the test, how long the testing sections last, what students are and are not allowed to do, and how the test is scored, and 2) How to study for the SAT: how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to the week before testing, be fully prepared for the test.
Course outline:
Class 1: About the test itself: what happens in an SAT testing situation, what is on the test, how long the testing sections last, what students are and are not allowed to do, and how the test is scored
Class 2: How to study for the SAT: how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the test
Course materials:
Provided free by the instructor.
Homework: Daily practice.

ACT Test Prep
Note: The upcoming ACT test dates are Feb. 7; Apr. 18; and June 13. Please visit the College Board website to verify dates and to register.
Class dates: Wednesdays, January 7 to January 28, 2015.
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 3:00 pm Eastern (2:00 Central; 1:00 Mountain; Noon Pacific)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Fee: $55 if you register on or before November 15, 2014. $65 if you register after Nov. 15th for 4 classes.
Instructor
: Geralyn Rea, ME
Course description: In this ACT Test Prep Course, your student will learn information in two critical areas that will allow for success with the ACT: 1) about the test itself: what happens in an ACT testing situation, what is on the test, how long the testing sections last, what students are and are not allowed to do, and how the test is scored, and 2) how to study for the ACT: how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the test.
Course outline:
Class 1: about the test itself: what happens in an ACT testing situation, what is on the test, how long the testing sections last, what students are and are not allowed to do, and how the test is scored, and general preparation
Class 2: Math and Science: how to study, how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the math and science portions of the test
Class 3: Reading and English: how to study, how to approach questions, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the reading and English portions of the test
Class 4: Writing: how to approach the essays, tricks and tips to score well, and what to do to be fully prepared for the writing essays on the test
Course materials: Provided free by the instructor.
Homework: Daily practice.
NOTE: This course tells the student what to study but does not work on increasing your student’s skills with personal feedback. If you want personal feedback to increase skills in the reading, English, and writing portions of the test, sign up for the ACT English and Writing Test Prep course that immediately follows this course.

ACT/SAT English and Writing Test Prep
Notes: The SAT essay writing is very similar to the ACT. Therefore, the ACT English and Writing course information will transfer to SAT.
The upcoming ACT test dates are Apr. 18 and June 13. The upcoming SAT test dates are Mar. 14; May 2; and June 6.  Please visit the College Board website to verify dates and to register.
Class dates: Wednesdays, February 4 to March 4, 2015. No class Feb. 18.
Total classes: 4
Starting time: 3:00 pm Eastern (2:00 Central; 1:00 Mountain; Noon Pacific)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: none
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Fee: $75 if you register on or before November 15, 2014. $85 if you register after Nov. 15th for 4 classes plus personal feedback.
Instructor
: Geralyn Rea, ME
Course description:  In this ACT English and Writing Test Prep Course, your student will get personal help with his or her English writing skills in a way that enhances their ability to score well on the ACT English and Writing portions of the exam. Students will view actual ACT English and Writing test questions, analyze the questions, and learn how to approach the questions for success. Students will also learn how to analyze a writing prompt, sculpt a good essay, and use their writing time to produce a high-scoring essay.
Course outline:
Class 1: The English Section: types of questions on the English portion of the test; how to analyze questions; how to read the questions for hints regarding the answers; practice test questions; introduction to the writing portion of the test.
Class 2: The English Section continued.
Class 3: The Writing Section of the test: analyzing numerous prompts; analyzing well-written essays; creating essays together, live; words and phrases to avoid/words and phrases to use; “diamond words” and their use in writing an essay; and what to do to be fully prepared for the writing portion of the test.
Class 4: The Writing Section continued.
Course materials: Provided free by the instructor.
Homework:  Assignments will increase your student’s skills with personal feedback on his or her skills, as well as specific suggestions for improving scores.

About the Instructor:

Geralyn Rea, M.E.
Geralyn Rea was born and raised in Wichita, KS, but journeyed north to complete her B.A. in English at Hillsdale College in Michigan. After graduating summa cum laude, she ventured down south to Texas to begin her Master of English degree at the University of Dallas. While working for the university and completing her degree, Geralyn also served as a writing, literature, and standardized testing tutor for homeschoolers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. While tutoring, she rediscovered a passion for teaching, rivaled only by her love of the written word, and she is anxious to share both of these passions with all of her students. Geralyn lives with her husband near Dallas, TX, and she is looking forward to the joys of motherhood as she and her husband welcome their first child. 

About the Course Designer:

Erin Brown Conroy, MA (E. B. Conroy)
Mrs. Brown Conroy has been teaching writing for 17 years, including teaching students in private colleges, universities, and online. She was an online professor of writing and research for Patrick Henry College (six years) and taught writing, leadership and management, and health and wellness for Cornerstone University’s Professional and Graduate Studies Division (seven years). Professor Brown Conroy is an author of several non-fiction books, including Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Success and Twenty Secrets to Success with Your Child; designs online courses (including an AP English Language and Composition course for PHC Preparatory Academy online); and speaks at conferences on education and learning, reading, and writing. She has a BS and MA from Western Michigan University (WMU) and is currently completing an MFA in Creative Writing at Western Colorado State University (WCSU) with a double concentration in Creative Writing, Genre Fiction and Screenwriting. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators, she is also a fiction writing coach for high school and college students; has judged writing contests; and has been a freelance professional writer in marketing/web writing and ghostwriting for twenty years. Professor Brown Conroy authored True North Reading: The Complete Mastery Reading and Spelling Program – a five-level multisensory learn-to-read program for children ages 2 to sixteen, and teaches an international online LIVE reading program at www.readwitherin.com. Mrs. Brown Conroy, who has been homeschooling for 29 years, lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan and homeschools four of her 13 children who still live at home.