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RD 097 Introduction to College Reading Fall 2013

Christina R. McElwee
404A College Park Plaza Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00 11:00 am Tuesday/Thursday 1:20 2:00 pm Office: 616-234-4393 Email: cmcelwee@grcc.edu Supplies (available in GRCC bookstore)
1. Essential Reading Skills by Kathleen McWhorter 2. Paper, approximately 8x11 3. Three ring binder, one inch or larger 4. Pen, blue or black ink and pencil 5. 1- flash drive 6. Personal calendar 7. Personal stapler or paper clips 8. Highlighters (2-3 different colors) 9. Tab Dividers (5 Tabs or more) 10. Sticky Notes (any size and color)

Class Meetings:
Class will meet for two hours twice weekly in this classroom.

Communication
Students are responsible for all communications sent via Blackboard and to their GRCC email account. GRCC student email can be accessed through http://email.grcc.edu and Blackboard at http://bb.grcc.edu

Course Description & Objectives:


RD 097 is a designed to help students strengthen reading skills necessary for success in college. A variety of styles of texts will be used to provide experience in reading for content areas. Effective reading strategies will be practiced to help students know what to do before, during, and after reading to increase retention of important information. Diagnostic and independent laboratory practice is included. At the end of the course students reading level should be improved by active participation in all class activities and assignments.

Student Learning Outcomes


1. Make an initial assessment of each students reading ability using scores of Nelson-Denny Reading Test and a Curriculum Embedded Reading Assessment (CERA). Help student realize the need for, and possibility of, improvement. 2. Introduce student to computer lab and required vocabulary and comprehension program. 3. Introduce students to semester-long, structured reading project. 4. Present the use of context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words encountered in readings. 5. Focus on the structure of words (roots, prefixes, suffixes, and cognates where applicable) to determine word meanings. 6. Use dictionaries, thesaurus, and other reference sources to determine word meanings. 7. Present strategies for learning vocabulary including the use of note cards. 8. Teach pre-, during, and post-reading strategies including SQ3R. 9. Focus on stated and implied main ideas and supporting details in the structure of paragraphs. 10. Convey learning strategies such as underlining, outlining, mapping, and summarizing. 11. Teach metacognitive routines such as identifying confusion and strategies for dealing with comprehension problems. 12. Make a final assessment of students reading using the Nelson-Denny Reading Test and CERA. Contrast to initial scores. Relate to expectations and needs for college success.

Attendance:
Attending every class is essential. If you miss more than 3 classes, you have little chance of passing. Arriving late and leaving early is unacceptable. 2

You earn 5 points for each class that you attend. If you are late or leave early, you will not earn points for being in attendance. Faculty absences are posted daily, usually near elevators and building entrance doors and the faculty absence hot line is 234-3923. Make friends; exchange phone numbers; have a classmate that you can call for information when you need it. It is your responsibility to get missed work and assignments if you are absent. Being late to class will cause your homework to be considered late and will not be graded.

Office Hours:
I am available during the office hours stated above. There may be times when I am not in my office, but you can contact me via Blackboard IM. You can download this from Blackboard.

Make-up work:
Students should make arrangements in advance of an absence for making up missed class work whenever possible. Late work will not be accepted.

Laboratory:
The class will work in the computer lab (Cook Hall) during several class periods on a personalized vocabulary and comprehension program (Weaver Reading Program). You will also need to spend time outside of class in order to complete all lessons by the end of the semester. Completion of this work is mandatory to receive a grade for the course.

Reading and Writing Lab:


Please make use of tutors in 501 Cook for one-on-one assistance with assignments.

Academic Standards/Student Expectations/Ethics:


All GRCC students are held accountable to the Student Code of Conduct, which outlines expectations pertaining to academic honesty (including cheating and plagiarism), classroom conduct, and general conduct. The Code can be found in full at http://www.grcc.edu/studentconduct/studentcodeofconduct It is important that you begin now to take responsibility for your own learning and reading improvement by; 1. Attending all classes. 2. Actively participating in all class assignments, activities, and discussions. Although reading is an individual activity, much can be learned by working with each other in small groups and pairs. Opinions and thoughts are welcomed, so please show respect for the opinion of others. It is imperative that you work well 3

together and not only accept responsibility for your own learning, but the successful learning of your peers. You will receive a grade for participation. The instructor determines what is and isnt appropriate participation. 3. Utilizing reading and vocabulary strategies effectively. You will be asked to use the strategies presented in the classroom in actual college texts and readings. These strategies should become a part of your natural reading and note-taking process by the end of this class. 4. Doing your own work. Plagiarism is theft of someone elses words. You must do your own work. You may not copy from someone else. If you cheat you may be dropped from this class with no credit and no refund or receive on E. 5. Behaving Respectfully and Professionally It is expected that you will conduct yourself in a respectful and professional manner at all times. Excessive talking, name-calling, and refusal to follow classroom rules is not acceptable. You will be asked to leave and will not return until you have scheduled a meeting with English Department Head. You will also be referred to a retention specialist, counselor, academic support, tutor, or student conduct staff member for any or all of the following reasons:

Excessive absences Poor performance Lacking preparation for course Has not logged on or has not had enough time on task for an online course Inappropriate behavior Missing assignments, exams, or homework Personal crises impacting learning

Plagiarism
When you submit work as your own but that work in any way borrows ideas, organization, wording, or anything else from another source without appropriate acknowledgment of the source, you are guilty of plagiarism. Copying or resubmitting your own work from another assignment is self-plagiarism and not acceptable. Unless an assignment has been given as collaborative homework, all of the work you turn in must be your own. If the work is collaborative, the names of all participants should be on it. Plagiarism of any kind will result in you receiving a zero for the assignment and possible failure of the course.

Phones and other electronic devices:


Grand Rapids Community College policy prohibits use of phones in the classroom. If you have one with you, turn off the ringer or put it on vibrate. I do not tolerate answering 4

your phone or texting in class. Please put all electronic devices (including laptops) away before entering the classroom. If you continue to text or answer your phone in class after one warning you will be asked to leave class. If this behavior continues, you will not be allowed to come back to class until you meet with the English department head and the Associate Dean of Arts and Science.

Food and Beverages in the Classroom:


The English Department does not allow food in the classroom. Any beverage must be in a spill-proof container. No cans; no cups with straws. Thank you for your cooperation.

Special Needs:
Please let me know if you have any special educational or health needs. I want to help you be successful in every way that I can.

Disability Support Services


Students with disabilities who wish to request accommodations must be registered with the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office in Room 368 of the Student Center. You may contact them at (616) 234-4140 for more information. Once you are registered with the DSS Office, you will be given an Accommodations Agreement to present to me to verify your registration. Please see me as soon as possible so we may have a private conversation to discuss accommodations.

Grading:
The final grade is based on points for the assignments listed below. Personal achievement will also be measured by comparing pre-and posttest scores on the Nelson-Denny Reading Test. These two tests are mandatory for completion of the course; however, the test scores are not figured into the final course grade. I do not give out WPs or WFs. The grade you earn is the grade you receive.
Percentage grading scale for all work: 93-100= A 77-79= C+ 90-92= A73-76= C 87-89= B+ 70-72= C83-86= B 67-69= D+ 80-82= B63-66= D 60-62= DTentative Assignments: Quizzes (90+ pts) Final Exam (100 pts) Vocabulary Journal (100 pts) Weaver Reading Lab (400 pts) Article Assignment (100+ pts) Homework & Textbook Assignments (200+ pts) Attendance (100 pts) Notebook (100 pts) Participation (100 pts)

Based on your Nelson Denny Assessment results you may be selected to participate in additional tutoring. If so, you will be required to meet with a peer tutor 30 minutes per week outside of class throughout the semester. Your attendance at these scheduled meetings will also factor into your grade. 5

Semester Agenda RD 097 Fall 2013


Week 1 Introductions Discuss Syllabus Icebreaker Nelson Denny Reading Assessment Reading Timeline Introduction to SSR Week 2 Annotation Introduction to Article Assignment Quiz ( Pages 1-13) Preparing for College Reading Week 3 Chapter 1: Reading Actively SQ3R Quiz (Chapters 1) Review Computer Lab Expectations Computer Lab Week 4 Quiz (Chapter 2) Chapter 2: Reading and Learning from College Textbooks College Reading 1 Computer Lab Week 5 Chapter 1-2 Test College Reading 2 KWL Chart Computer Lab Week 6 Quiz (Chapter 3) Chapter 3: Building Vocabulary Introduction to Vocabulary Journal Assignment Making Connections College Reading 3 Computer Lab Week 7 Making Connections Quiz (Chapter 4)

Chapter 4: Building Vocabulary: Using Word Parts Context Clues Chapter 3-4 Test

Week 8 Individual Conferences Visualization Computer Lab Week 9 Quiz (Chapter 5) Chapter 5: Locating Stated Main Ideas Headlines Quiz (Chapter 6) Chapter 6: Identifying Supporting Details & Transitions College Reading 5 Week 10 Chapter 5-6 Test Quiz (Chapter 7) Chapter 7: Understanding Implied Main Ideas Week 11 Chapter 7 Test Introduction to Debate Project Debate Project Work Week 12 Strategy Quiz Debate Presentations Computer Lab Week 13 Introduction to Metacognitive Reflective Letter Introduction to Final Exam Review Project Project Work Nelson Denny Reading Assessment Week 14 Group Presentations Exam Review Nelson Denny Reading Assessment

The instructor reserves the right to change the contents of this syllabus due to unforeseen circumstances. Students will be given notice of relevant changes in class, through a Blackboard Announcement or GRCC email. 7

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