Learning for Life Starter Kit

Presented by Meagen F. Howe of Farrell Ink

February 2010
 This training is provided FREE by Farrell Ink, LLC
thanks to the Sandra Sullivan Learning for
Life Program.
 The Sandra Sullivan Learning for Life Program
of the West Side Catholic Center in Cleveland,
Ohio supports non-profits & faith communities
to provide cost effective, volunteer-based adult
education tutoring.
 You may duplicate, present, or print this
training FREE for non-commercial purposes and
can customize it as long as you attribute the
Sandra Sullivan Learning for Life Program. (No
plagiarism, please!)
 YOU receive it today for participating!
 Download FREE from Scribd.com/farrellink
 Become familiar with the structure of the
Contemporary’s Pre-GED & GED series.
 Understand the role of the series in the

Learning for Life Starter Kit.

 Look deeper into Pre-GED & GED content.
 Tips & practice instructional techniques for

essay writing, visual literacy, & math.

The goal is in sight.

Back to Training Objectives

 Written at grade levels:
◦ 7-8 Pre-GED
◦ 9-10+ GED

 Targets critical thinking skills

& content in all 5 GED
subjects

 Pre & post test in each book

assigns chapters
  Bloom’s Taxonomy
 Non-Fiction
 Drama
 Poetry
 Prose Fiction
 Timed readings

Cover Content
  Concepts & Processes
 Science as Inquiry
 Physical Science
 Life Science
 Earth & Space Science
 Science & Technology
 Personal & Social
Perspectives
 History & Nature of
Science

Cover Content: NSES Standards

  Civics
 U.S. History
 World History
 Interpreting Graphic
Information

Cover Content
  Grammar
 Usage & Mechanics
 Punctuation
 Organization
 Brainstorming
 Revising

Cover Content
  Whole Numbers
 Simple Operations
 Problem Solving
 Alternative Format
Responses
 Practice with Casio fx-
260 Calculator

Cover Content
 1. Comprehension
2. Application
3. Analysis
4. Synthesis
5. Non-Fiction
6. Drama
7. Poetry
8. Prose Fiction

Cover Chapters
 Test Information  GED Practice Test
 Correlations  GED Scores
 Teaching Tips  Glossary
 Reading Handbook
 PowerPoint
 For each book
Presentations
chapter:
 Photocopy Masters
◦ Chapter Overview
◦ Chapter Outline
◦ Flashcards & Web Links
◦ Chapter Review Quiz
◦ GED Practice Quiz

Instructor Center Student Center

  Concepts & Processes in
Science
 Comprehending &
Applying Science
 Analyzing & Evaluating
 Science & Technology
 Science in Personal &
Social Perspectives
 History & Nature of
Science
 Plant & Animal Science
 Human Biology
 Chemistry & Physics
 Earth & Space Science

Cover Chapters
 Test Information  GED Practice Tests
 Correlations  GED Scores
 Glossary
 Teaching Tips  Additional Reading
 Web Links  For each book chapter:
◦ Chapter Overview
◦ Chapter Outline
◦ Flashcards
◦ Chapter Review Quiz
◦ GED Practice Quiz
◦ Web Links

Instructor Center Student Center

 1. Comprehending SS
Materials
2. Applying SS Concepts
3. Analyzing SS Materials
4. Evaluating SS Materials
5. Time, Continuity &
Change
6. Places & People
7. Power, Authority &
Governance
8. Production, Distribution
& Consumption
9. Science, Technology &
Society
10. Global Connections

Cover Chapters
 Test Information  GED Practice Test
 GED Score
 Correlations  Glossary
 Teaching Tips  Social Studies Readings
 PowerPoint  For each book chapter:
◦ Chapter Overview
Presentations
◦ Chapter Outline
 Web Links ◦ Flashcards
◦ Chapter Review Quiz
◦ GED Practice Quiz
◦ Web Links

Instructor Center Student Center

 1. Sentence Basics
2. Using Verbs
3. Combining Sentences
4. Organization
5. Using Correct Language
6. Mechanics
7. Test-Taking Strategies
8. Preparing for the Essay
9. Gathering Your Ideas
10. Organizing Your Ideas
11. Writing & Revising
Essay
12. Review of Writing
Process

Cover Chapters
 Test Information  GED Practice Test
 Correlations  Essay Scoring Checklist
 GED Score
 Teaching Tips  Writing Handbook
 Essay Scoring Guide  For each book chapter:
 Holistic Scoring ◦ Chapter Overview
 Sample Essays ◦ Chapter Outline
◦ Flashcards
 PowerPoint ◦ Chapter Review Quiz
Presentations ◦ GED Practice Quiz
 Photocopy Masters ◦ Web Links
 Web Links

Instructor Center Student Center

 1. Whole Numbers
2. Word Problems
3. Decimals
4. Fractions
5. Ratio & Proportion
6. Percent
7. Measurement
8. Data Analysis,
Statistics & Probability
9. Basic Geometry
10. Basic Algebra
11. Advanced Topics in
Algebra & Geometry

Cover Chapters
 Test Information  GED Practice Test
 Formulas
 Correlations  Alternate Grids
 Calculator Directions
 Teaching Tips  GED Score
 Web Links  Glossary
 Math Handbook
 For each book chapter:
◦ Chapter Overview
◦ Chapter Outline
◦ Flashcards
◦ Chapter Review Quiz
◦ GED Practice Quiz
◦ Web Links

Instructor Center Student Center

 Check out our training “Introduction to
Online Instructional Materials” for screen
shots of these websites…and more!
Available at Scribd.com/farrellink
Just part of the puzzle

Back to Training Objectives

Don’t dive alone!

Back to Training Objectives

 Ready to test your skills?!
 Everyone please complete the pre-test

◦ If you finish early, take a sneak preview into one

of the Pre-GED or GED books.
 Find a partner and exchange your tests
 Check the test & find the percent correct:
◦ Divide number of questions correct by total number of
questions
◦ Move decimal point 2 places to the right
◦ >70% = skip the whole book! <70% = review skills
◦ Tip: GED Science & SS, 64% is passing
 Circle any missed questions on the evaluation
chart. Chapters with more than half of the
questions missed should be reviewed.

 Thoughts? Reflections?
 Divide into six groups or less
◦ Even number of people in each group, if possible
 Each group chooses one Pre-GED / GED
book
 Choose someone for each role:

◦ Orator to read out loud (one book per group)

◦ Secretary to take notes
◦ Presenter to Teach Back
 Together, decide on one or two skills within
a chapter to learn more about.
 Take 15 minutes to examine the skills &
activities in your section looking for:
◦ WOW! Something cool to share
◦ REAL Something you can apply to real life
◦ DEEP Something that you can make into a
project or deeper conversation
 If you have time, start brainstorming props
or extra activities to explain/practice skills.

 Each group gets 2 minutes to share their

findings
Rehearse your part

Back to Training Objectives

1. Use proper sentence structure & paragraph
organization in an original essay.
2. Visual literacy: interpret graphs, diagrams, charts,
cartoons.
3. Multi-step math word problems. Use Casio fx-260
calculator on half of the test.
4. Figure out vocabulary from context clues.
5. Bloom’s Taxonomy: comprehend, compare &
contrast, recognize bias, apply given info to given
situations, break into components.
 “You will have 45 minutes to write on a topic that
they will give you. Take 10 minutes to plan the
outline of your essay on scrap paper, and 10 minutes at
the end to review your essay. Writing every other line
will allow you to cross out and make any changes.

 The most important thing is to address the topic. You

can write the greatest essay in the world, but if it’s not
on topic, you won’t pass.
 To organize, try using the 5 paragraph
essay. A paragraph is at least 2-3
sentences.
 The introduction starts general with
the topic then gets specific with the
main idea.
 Then there are three body
paragraphs, each with one example
or detail supporting the main idea.
 The conclusion rephrases the main
idea then gets general again. Explain
how it relates to the reader. I call this
the “Who cares?” paragraph.
 You are graded on grammar & spelling, but its
balanced by word choice. Don’t say, “I like the
beach”; write, “I love the feel of the sand
between my toes.” It’s better to use a bigger or
better word & spell it wrong than not to try at all.
 When you practice writing essays, use a
thesaurus to look up new words.
 Type your essay on the computer which will
underline misspelled words in red. When you
misspell a word, practice writing it correctly
fifteen times.
 But always remember this: write only about
the topic they give you!”
 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 to support your essay.

From GEDWriting.com, see website for

Sample Essays
 Score 1-4: can be .5
 2 or more in all areas is passing. Total Writing
score is a rubric of Essay vs. Multiple Choice.
 Grade in 5 areas, take the average of the 5:
◦ Response to the Prompt
◦ Organization
◦ Development & Details
◦ Conventions of Edited American English (EAE)
◦ Word Choice
 Have at least 2 people read & grade essay, writing
their initials & date with the score.
 1 2 3 4

Inadequate Marginal Adequate Effective

Response to Does not Focus may Establishes a Clearly
the Prompt address shift. main idea. focused main
prompt. idea.
Organization Does not Some Identifiable Clear and
organize. evidence of a organization. logical
plan. organization.
Development Little or no Vague & lacks Uneven Specific and
and Details development specific development; relevant
details. some specific details and
detail. examples.
Conventions No sentence Inconsistent Some Consistently
of Edited structure, use of EAE. sentence uses EAE.
American little EAE. structure &
English EAE.
Word Choice Weak or Narrow range Exhibits Varied and
incorrect of word appropriate precise word
words. choice. word choice. choice.
 In the words of my Art History Professor:
 “Get stupid. Tell me what you see.”

 Anything printed in a test or book deals with some past

issue. Connect to today’s news at:

http://cagle.com/politicalcartoons/
GED Question from GEDScience.com: “Which of the following
correctly explains the flow of blood through the heart?”
1. USE THE CASIO CALCULATOR! Many students
fail the timed test because they used the calculator
incorrectly or not at all.

2. MULTI-STEP WORD PROBLEMS.

If a = 2 and b = 3, find the value of 1/a – 1/b + 1/ab

1. READ GRAPHS & CHARTS: The best way to read

them is to make them & then present them. This
also builds 21st century skills.
1. Line graphs, pie charts, & coordinate planes.
 Divide into pairs.
 Role play: one person as student, other person

as tutor.
 Choose one instructional technique. Tutor

introduce it to student:
◦ GED Essay: Sample Topic
◦ Visual Literacy: Political Cartoon
◦ GED Math: Multi-Step Word Problem

 Switch roles and choose a new activity.

 True/False Every students whose primary goal is to
earn a GED should first study the Pre-GED & GED
books.
 Pre-GED is written at reading level:
◦ 5-6 7-8 9-10
 Which books have the online supplements for each
chapter, Pre-GED or GED?
 True/False Pre-GED & GED books overlap with the
Challenger Reading series.
 True/False Students should complete every chapter
in a Pre-GED or GED book.
 False. It may not be at the appropriate
reading level.
 7-8
 GED
 True. Challenger 6-8 have some overlap

with Pre-GED & GED in reading & writing.

 False. Pre or Post test evaluation will assign

chapters based on skills to target.

 Check out our other FREE trainings &
publications at Scribd.com/farrellink,
including:
◦ Sandra Sullivan Learning for Life Program:
Program Management Procedures (Information
from trainings in an FAQ format)
 Sign up for Farrell Ink’s
FREE monthly eNewsletter or email with any
questions.
God, thank you for the mustard seed although it is so small.
God, thank you for the plant that grows up largest of them
all.
God, thank you for the birds that sing in branches that reach
wide.
God, thank you for the words you teach while walking by my
side.
God, give us love and strength to meet each other’s human
need.
God, bury me to rise again just like the mustard seed.
AMEN
 We hope this is enough to get you started
using the Contemporary’s Pre-GED & GED
series!

 This training is FREE! If you would like to

support our ongoing work, please donate to
the West Side Catholic Center with the
memo: “Sullivan Learning for Life Program.”
◦ 3135 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
◦ (216) 631-4741, ask for Susan Ertle at x132