Mr Curr's Train Your Brain Programme for SATs

 

From 2003 the SAT in English has been quite different. It is important to use the whole of Year 9 to train YOUR brain for this important test

  • read some fiction and non-fiction every day
  • in particular, browse a quality newspaper (or its website) every day - The Independent for example
  • read what interests you and think about what you are reading
  • ask yourself: what audience is this aimed at? How do I know?
  • ask yourself: what is the purpose of this text? How do I know?
  • ask yourself: what are the features of language and layout of this text? How do they help to communicate meaning?
  • vary your vocabulary, spice up your spelling, improve your punctuation and extend your stock of sentence structures simply by pausing and thinking as you read
  • apply this analytical habit to all your reading, including websites, computer magazines, advertisements and even cereal packets at breakfast time!

    What about the Shakespeare?

  • find out the set text as early as you can - The Tempest for Mr Curr's set in 2007.
  • read the whole book, including the introduction and notes - but do not try to do this all at once
  • if you find it hard going, use a parallel text modern version on the net (link from the SATs index page of this site)
  • as you finish each scene, ask yourself: what have I learned about character? How would I direct a production of this? (Think about intonation, movement, scenery, lighting, sound effects and why you would make these choices.) Use bbc bitesize tests: link from this site.
  • get hold of as many different video versions as you can - try the school library for starters - and think about the choices the director has made
  • if possible, go and see a production

    General advice

  • eat well and sleep well, especially in the last term; do NOT spend half the night on a computer game, for example (unless it is Mr Curr's Macbeth Quiz, of course!)
  • remember that you are surrounded by language in its exciting variety of uses all day and every day; it is not just something that you find in English lessons. Use every opportunity to reflect on and learn from the way language is used in your daily environment
  • pay special attention to personal spelling lists, personal errors, etc, and sort them out well before the SATS: do not leave anything important like this to chance.