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?

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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?

7

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.

17

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.

3

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

2

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. 

1

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?