As Marcel requested additional instruction in addressing the scientific passages in the Reading section of the SAT, we today worked on a complicated scientific passage located within one of the practice tests. I reviewed the strategies for attacking the scientific passages noting the typical structure of this type of passage and made suggestions on how to visualize and then summarize the results of the described experiments. After Marcel read the selected passage , we reviewed and discussed his answers. We noted the "traps" embedded in certain questions ,and I provided some strategies for addressing the evidence based questions based on the location of the question within the series.

We studied the proper use of the comma, semi-colon, and colon as tested in the SAT practice and writing section. We further addressed strategies for answering sentence order questions by focusing on cause and effect. Last, we reviewed all of Marcel's Practice Test responses on the writing section and examined how to correct any incorrect responses as well as why those responses were not the best answer.

We began with a review of Civil Liberties & Civil Rights by working on the multiple choice questions for this chapter together. We returned to the AP Central/College Board site to continue our evaluation of the 2021 AP U.S. Govt. Exam.

Today we spent time reviewing interactions among the three branches of federal government. What does each branch do and how does each branch check the powers of the other branch to maintain balance in the federal government? We reviewed some more primary source documents. We worked on Barron's review questions that included sample multiple choice and free. Marcel wanted to answer them untimed and be able to search for the correct answer. This is fine for today. As we move through with exam prep review, it will be best to replicate the actual test taking environment by answer test questions in their allotted time. We began to read and discuss the free response questions (FRQs) from the 2021 AP Exam on the AP Central/College Board site. We will continue with this in the next class.

As Marcel requested we study strategies for attacking the dual passage portion of the Reading portion of the exam, we today worked on practice questions based on contrasting passages written by Thoreau and Lincoln. I first discussed and noted the typical questions used in the dual passage entry and then suggested a number of test taking strategies including first determining the argument or thesis of each author and then noting any similar foundations. We further examined strategies for dealing with time limitations in the exam. After Marcel completed the practice questions, we reviewed his answers and analyzed those where he encountered difficuluties. As Marcel is taking the SAT on Saturday, he anticipates that our final SAT session will be this Wednesday. HW for Weds-do Practice 5 as a timed exercise.

Students have 100 minutes to write answers to 4 different free response questions on the AP exam. This section is worth 50%. The 4 types of questions are: 1. Concept Application - a short excerpt from a news source that deals with a current political situation and requires connection between that scenario and a course concept. (3pts.) 2. Supreme Court Comparison - an analysis of a text based or comparative analysis that requires analyzing a non-required Supreme Court case that illustrates a comparison of issues. (4pts.) 3. Visual Analysis - an analysis of visual stimulus, such as a map, chart, graph, political cartoon and so on, that requires students to make connections to course concepts. (4pts.) 4. Argument Essay - a formal essay that requires a developed thesis and argument after taking a side, defending it and responding to the opposing side of a political scenario. (6pts). Marcel worked on some practice multiple choice questions on the Foundations of Democracy from Barron's.

We continued to review the unit on "The Bureaucracy" today working out of Barron's. Over 4 million workers make up today's federal bureaucracy and that's not counting state and local governments. Marcel's questions focused on the bureaucracy within the Executive Branch. We discussed how FDR expanded it through the New Deal and WWII. We discussed the Executive Office of the President, the Cabinet and Independent Regulatory Agencies.

We began with a review of the College Board's Terms & Conditions for this year's A.P. U.S. Gov't. exam. Marcel is comfortable with them. We discussed/reviewed U.S. governmental "Bureaucracy," the distinctiveness of American bureaucracy, its evolution, examples of the federal bureaucracy and why bureaucracies can be negative or positive entities. We also consulted some Barron's concepts, information & questions frequently throughout our 2.5 hours together from 1:30 - 4:00 PM. We worked an additional 30 minutes together today.

As Marcel is planning to take the SAT on April 3rd, per his request ,we today first worked on the Writing Section practice questions. I reviewed the typical SAT questions that address the proper use of the colon and the semi -colon , and we then practiced a timed exercise using a portion of a practice test. Marcel did well on the exercise, and I addressed his questions as to why certain of the choices were grammatically not the best choice. We then discussed within the context of SAT questions the proper use of certain connecting words such as : moreover, further, in addition to , nevertheless, despite, although, and notwithstanding . Last, we analyzed a reading passage ,and I addressed Marcel's questions as to the one question where he encountered some difficulty. HW- for next session complete an entire practice test .

In this activity, Marcel continued working on the AP Calculus practice exam. The first exam is a slow process because each problem type is discussed and notes are taken on the steps used to solve each problem.