Important Pages in Your Steck-Vaughn Textbook

Math Word Problems: Thursday night Regina identified the chart on page 481 for decoding the math processes in word problems.

Math Formulas: The same list of formulas provided on the Official GED test appears on page 715.

Essays: The criteria used to grade your GED Essays can be found as a chart on page 185.

Ten Students Get GEDs!

Success

The following alumnae of this class achieved a GED recently, congratulations!

Lawrence Robinson
Scarlet Brickhouse
Corie Gandy
Michanda Goode

Treyvon Woolridge

LaTonya Mealey
Tiffany Fisher
Marcus Pryor
David Tinsley
Loretta Kelcy

Now who's NEXT?

Don't forget to ask for me for assistance with financial aid if you plan to continue your studies post-GED.

Current students, have you tried the:

• GED Connection Math Practice Tests? www.pbs.org/literacy


• Visual Fractions website? http://www.visualfractions.com/


• Math quizzes and drills at http://www.thatquiz.org/?

Scoring Breakdown for the GED and Practice Test

total possible points: 4000 (5 sections x 800 points each)

total minimum points to pass: 2250

total possible points per section: 800

average minimum points to pass per section: 450

absolute minimum points to pass per section: 410

special scoring: Language Arts-Writing

total number correct on first half (multiple choice) is combined with second half (Essay, with score of 2 out of 4 or higher) to arrive at number out of 800

Tutoring Now Available!

Our class has three new ways you can access more help on your way to a GED.

Reading and Writing

Our volunteer tutor, who has a Master's degree in High School English, will be available by appointment for up to 60 minutes before the beginning of class. She will focus on the Reading and Writing sections of the test. Contact me if you would like to arrange a tutoring session.

GED Online

Some of you may remember Richard Sebastian, who worked with us on the blogging project last semester. Well he has also arranged for online tutors to assist learners with GED material. Call his office at 1-888-589-9003 to find out more, or visit www.elearnvirginia.com

GED On Demand

This series offers 39 separate half hour videos covering the subjects and skills needed to pass the GED. You'll hear from experts and former students, get practical test-taking advice, and increase your knowledge in each of the 5 GED test areas: Writing, Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics.

For Comcast digital cable subscribers, choose the Get local folder from your ON DEMAND menu, then choose GED Connection.

For Cox digital cable subscribers, go to Channel 1 ON DEMAND and choose Free Zone. Select Education from the list of options, then choose GED.

This one is also a product of our buddy Richard's labors.

Don't forget it's Black History Month. Read all about Fannie Lou Hamer and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party

If I Had $500...

Together we created an essay question in class last Thursday, so here it is. If you had $500, what would you do with it and why? Give specific details from your observations and experiences to support your answer.

If I had 500 bucks, I would pay down nmy credit cards debt. Right now the interest is at 29 percet, and the extra fees on the orginal $1000 I used to buyed a flat panel TV are just killing me. I have seen what high interest credit cards can do to a person's finances, straight out wreck it! So any opportunity I might could take to reduce the payments and eventually get out of debt will be real welocome. I've seen so many peolple just spend money like there's no tomorrow, but that's just not me. I made a little mistake by aagreeing to the terms of the credit card without sho[pping aroun for the best ratre, and now I'm paying it for it big time, like I said before. Also like I mentioned earlier, I really didn't need such a huge tv anyway. So all in all, that's my opinion of what I woild do with $500 if had the extra money to spend ther way I wnat to. It might nb0t be your choice, but that's just what makes the world go round, every one has different opiions there entitled to.

Please comment on this essay, telling what score you would give (1, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4), and why. Use the essay scoring chart to guide your decision.

In-class Practice Test next week!

By popular demand, we'll be taking the Official Practice Test in class next week, on Tuesday, February 5 and Thursday, February 7 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. I will grade the tests over the following weekend and return them to you on Tuesday, February 12 for review in class. This process will direct our focus to areas needing reinforcement.

Please note: Tutoring and online work will be available to those not taking the test. All students should attend class next week.

What Score Would You Give This Essay?

Topic:
What is one important goal you would like to achieve in the next few years? In your essay, identify that goal. Explain how you plan to achieve it. Use your personal observations, experience and knowledge.

Response to Prompt:
I have many goals all but I never seem to realize any of them. Something always gets in the way, like money, relationships, or just plain old bad luck. So therefore though I'd like to achieve some goals, I really can't say I've had much success.

Once I tried to earn some money to buy a playstation by working part-time cutting grass. My neighbor stole all my customers away from me as soon as he found out I was making about $20 an hour doing lawns. He offered to do lawns for a flat fee of $18, and I knew I couldn't compete with that!

Another time, I wanted to try out for the football team. I was sure to make the first string as an offensive lineman. But my girlfriend said I wasn't spending enough time with her. It was either her or the team. So I chose her, and then she broke up with me a week later anyway.

Last, bad luck has come into play in the past. I had plans to start attending GED classes in fall of last year. However, the summer right before that, I was helping my brother fix the brakes on his 68 Nova Chevelle SS. The jack slipped out from under the car, and I broke my arm when the car fell. Needless to say I was not ready to write essays and do math with a cast on my arm from my knuckles to my shoulder.

So, all in all, goals have been very difficult for me to accomplish. Something bad always happens to me, and then the goals go by the wayside for a while longer. My advice to you would be to watch out for fake friends, girlfriends, and bad luck when trying to accomplish your goals.

Syllabus Winter 2008

Syllabus for GED Fast Track January 15 to March 20, 2008

Benefits of GED Fast Track:
Higher level of instruction, individualized when necessary
Option to participate in blogging to improve writing skills & employability
Access to videos, computer lab
Membership in online classroom accessible 24-7
Instruction and test taking tips using Official Practice Test
Free Official GED Test with perfect attendance and high Practice Test scores
Assistance pursuing community college enrollment after passing GED

Expectations:
Students will identify a date to take the Official GED Test within 90 days
Learners will purchase Casio calculator ($10) & GED textbook ($18).
Students will bring paper, pencil, pen, calculator & textbook to class each night.
Fast Track students will complete Practice Test before taking Official GED Test.
Students must take a Practice Test within the nine-week period

Schedule:
Tuesday, January 15: 6:30-8:30 Orientation to class & GED Test
Thursday, January 17: 6:30-7:30 GED Essay high score writing examples
7:40-8:30 Contemporary’s Algebra tips

Tuesday, January 22: 6:30-7:30 MLK discussion, GED Essay holistic scoring chart
7:40-8:30 Practice Test Math (PA) scan
Thursday, January 24: 6:30-7:30 Blog posting orientation
7:40-8:30 Math answer sheets: coordinate grids, etc.

Tuesday, January 29: 6:30-7:30 Evaluate Adam’s essay online or on paper
7:40-8:30 Area using pizza advertisements
Thursday, January 31: 6:30-7:30 Create essay prompt together
7:40-8:30 Pbs.org livelihood workplace math

Tuesday February 5: 6:30-7:30 Essay diagrams & writing workshop
7:40-8:30 Area and volume of classroom
Thursday, February 7: 6:30-7:30 Essays due
7:40-8:30 Pbs.org working world percentages

Tuesday, February 12: 6:30-7:30 Essay revision and resubmission
7:40-8:30 Percentages: car loan calculator
Thursday, February 14: 6:30-7:30 GED Connection sign-up
7:40-8:30 Math comparisons with cell phone contracts

Tuesday, February 19: 6:30-7:30 Create essay prompt together
7:40-8:30 Decimals with car tire sizing
Thursday, February 21: 6:30-7:30 Essay diagrams & writing workshop
7:40-8:30 Algebra

Tuesday, February 26: 6:30-7:30 Essays due
8-8:30 Algebra
Thursday, February 28: 6:30-7:30 Essay revision and resubmission
8-8:30 Algebra

Tuesday, March 4: 6:30-7:30 Test taking tips/reading directions
7:40-8:30 Working world Geometry
Thursday, March 6: 6:30-7:30 Science Practice Test: graphs & charts
7:40-8:30 Geometry

Tuesday, March 11: 6:30-7:50 JSRCC/GED graduate guest speaker
8-8:30 Geometry
Thursday, March 13: 6:30-7:30 Write review of speaker’s presentation
8-8:30 Teacher evaluations, sign up for Practice Test

Tuesday, March 18: 6:30-7:30 Social Studies Practice Test: maps, images
7:40-8:30 Beyond GED job market discussion
Thursday, March 20: 6:30-830 reserved for review


YOU CAN DO THIS. GOOD LUCK!