Title: Mastering the Reading Section of the American College Testing (ACT)

Objective: To equip students in grades 11 and 12 with effective strategies and skills to excel in the reading portion of the ACT.

Lesson Outline:

I. Introduction A. Briefly explain the importance of the reading section in the ACT B. Discuss the structure and format of the reading section C. Emphasize the time constraints and the need for efficient reading strategies

II. Understanding the Reading Section A. Review the types of passages typically found in the ACT (e.g., prose fiction, social science, humanities, natural science) B. Analyze sample passages to identify key elements, such as main ideas, supporting details, and author’s tone C. Discuss the importance of active reading and engaging with the text

III. Pre-Reading Strategies A. Teach students how to preview the passage by skimming headings, subheadings, and introductory paragraphs B. Introduce the concept of forming predictions based on the passage’s title, subheadings, or any prior knowledge C. Practice identifying the purpose and tone of the passage before reading

IV. During Reading Strategies A. Teach students how to actively read by underlining or highlighting important information B. Demonstrate effective annotation techniques, such as summarizing paragraphs or circling unfamiliar vocabulary C. Encourage students to make mental connections between different parts of the passage

V. Answering Questions A. Discuss the different types of questions in the reading section (e.g., main idea, inference, vocabulary, author’s purpose) B. Teach students how to identify keywords in questions and locate relevant information in the passage C. Practice eliminating incorrect answer choices and selecting the best option based on evidence from the passage

VI. Time Management A. Emphasize the importance of pacing oneself during the reading section B. Provide tips on how to quickly identify the difficulty level of a passage and adjust reading speed accordingly C. Practice time-saving techniques, such as skimming long passages or answering easier questions first

VII. Practice and Review A. Assign practice passages from past ACT exams B. Review and discuss the answers, explaining the reasoning behind correct and incorrect choices C. Provide additional resources for independent practice, such as online reading comprehension exercises or ACT prep books

VIII. Conclusion A. Recap the key strategies and skills covered in the lesson B. Encourage students to continue practicing and refining their reading skills C. Address any remaining questions or concerns

Note: This lesson plan can be adapted and expanded based on the specific needs and time constraints of the classroom.