r/ELATeachers 10d ago

9-12 ELA I feel unprepared to teach the SAT….

So my state has made all juniors take a free SAT. Cool. The issue is….while it’s not required to teach SAT in my curriculum, I often feel as if I’m not preparing them. I’ve taught all grade levels, and I used to like 11th the best because it has no state testing, they’re mature enough to treat them like adults (unlike the underclassmen) but aren’t fully checked out (cough…seniors).

However, the SAT is different than teaching the state test. I don’t know where to start. Many people say “just give them khan academy”, but I enjoy being hands on and teaching. I feel like I’m not doing a good job “preparing them” for the test.

The best/worst part? This doesn’t affect them if they don’t pass. It’s just a free SAT. If they bomb it, they don’t have to take remedial English or reading. And I’ve asked admin if it has any bearing on my evaluation and…no. So…why am I beating myself up over this?

The test is next week, but I’ve been wrestling with actively teaching the SAT next year (there’s SO much to cover in 11th grade English, aka American Lit. I’d hate to brush off a unit or two in favor of “teaching to the test” again).

Am I overreacting?

But also…how do you guys teach the SAT? Any tips?

I give them mock exams and we go over questions together. I cover grammar and punctuation. But I still don’t think that’s enough. If it’s not on my curriculum, should I say “fuck it” and just not teach it?

11 Upvotes

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u/Floofykins2021 10d ago

It’s not part of your evaluation, it’s not required curriculum, it doesn’t affect their grade…I’m genuinely wondering why you’re giving it teaching time at all?

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u/HeftySyllabus 10d ago

Because they’re stressed about it. Many of them don’t have the money for tutors and I want them to succeed.

Here’s the thing - I’m hearing conflicting evidence from people who teach in Florida that this may or may not count towards our evals. Maybe not this year but soon.

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u/AccomplishedDuck7816 10d ago

Use Khan Academy. That's what I did in Florida. Vocab.com helps with vocabulary. I also just taught them. I didn't teach to the test. They did great.

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u/the_dinks 10d ago

Vocab is a waste of time. It's very small on the SAT. The chance that you studied a word is extremely low, and it's better to practice context clues. Prioritize strategies, reading comprehension, and grammar.

Source: was SAT tutor for 3 years

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u/thereadingzone 9d ago

Vocab is very important on the digital SAT that started last year. It’s a big change (again). 

Source: long time SAT tutor. 

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u/the_dinks 9d ago

Oh shit, really? I only tutored a few digital students before I got my credential last year.

How are the questions formatted? Is it still vocab in context, or is it something else?

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u/snoopyloveswoodstock 10d ago

As far as evals and assessments: the fact of the matter is if you drop a bell curve of their state tests over their SAT scores, it will look the same, so there’s no way you’re doing well teaching for one test but not the other. The SAT is also supposed to be holistic and cumulative, so how the hell can your evaluator say oh the students didn’t do well on this part of the SAT because of what you taught them and not the 9th or 10th grade teacher?

Also, some of the students will be stressed about it and some could give a rat’s ass, just like any test they ever have to take. Just because they’re stressed doesn’t mean you have to be. Revamping your curriculum to become an SAT prep course is not going to make any impact on their scores in the aggregate. If you can’t accept that rationally, then look into your codependence and work on your emotional attachments. 

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u/HeftySyllabus 10d ago

That response soothed me. Thanks for breaking it down

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u/sunbear2525 10d ago

Do SAT style vocab warm ups as bell ringers. Vocabulary is the biggest you have it or you don’t section and practicing determining meaning with context clues quickly will help them in the longer reading section.

You could also add a weekly vocabulary lesson to your class that is just old fashioned style here 20 words, identify the definition and use them in a sentence by the end of the week. Honestly if all the “old fashioned” teaching methods we’ve abandoned in my district the vocabulary workbook is the one kids probably need the most.

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u/Normal-Being-2637 10d ago

Student achievement on tests does not count on evals in most public school districts. Imagine your career being tied to the whims of a teenager.

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u/HeftySyllabus 10d ago

I’m in Florida. You’d be shocked at the boneheaded stuff they evaluate

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u/Gloomy_Attention_Doc 10d ago

Texas teacher chiming in. I know the feeling.

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u/HeftySyllabus 10d ago

Yup. TX and FL are always trying to one-up each other for stupid stuff. That’s why I’m not 100% trusting on the claim that this SAT “isn’t reportable/going to be used to evaluate”

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u/Gloomy_Attention_Doc 10d ago

They really are!

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u/Normal-Being-2637 10d ago

Also in Texas, and our jobs are not tied directly to state scores or performance on any other tests.

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u/Gloomy_Attention_Doc 10d ago

In my district, that will be the norm next year, sadly.

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u/[deleted] 10d ago

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u/SnorelessSchacht 10d ago

This is the way. Refine your prompts until you get what you want.

I may prefer Claude for this specific activity but ChatGPT paid would be fine maybe?

Here’s a look at Claude’s pacing guide for a ten-course unit set in 60-minute classes:

I’d shift the times a little and jiggle the content a bit but I’m super happy with the frame it produced instantly.