RDG 097W SP110 Academic Reading Instructor: Ms. Eula B. Glover Class: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am 12:10 pm. - Room S034 Email: ebglover@delta.edu Phone: 989-686-9159 (Ms. Sue Deford - English Division) This class is designed to create a valuable learning environment that will increase and empower your learning abilities in reading, writing, vocabulary and critical thinking. We will explore meaningful and relevant assignments, reading strategies, and shared information that will improve your skills, confidence, and comprehension and hopefully enhance your enjoyment and understanding of a variety of readings. Required books: Glover Course Pack Tuesdays w/morrie Mitch Albom The American Heritage Dictionary Other Materials Required: Writing utensils (preferably pens) One Notebook binder for note taking Flash-drive device for saving your work (always save your work) Access to your Delta email (please check your email daily) A Stapler Final Grade will be determined and points deducted if any or parts of the following are not met. There will be NO makeup exams, argumentative reports or scheduled conferences unless prior discussion. ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING Tuesdays w/morrie (At Home Readings/In Class Activities 1 thru 4 (25 pts each) PLUS a twopage overall summary, after entire book has been read (100 pts.) POSSIBLE POINTS 200 Argumentative Paper and Presentations (50 pts. presentation - 100 pts. paper) 150 Conference (1) one mid-term; one brief-end-of-semester (25 points each) 50 Argumentative Rough Draft 50 Inferences News Article/Cartoon/Music (25 pts each) Movie Debut/Summary (100 pts.) 175 Vocabulary Projects (10 Words Presentation) 75 Final Exam 200 Total Points 900 Grading Scale 840 900 = A 657 717 = B 474 534 = C 291 351 = D 779 839 = A- 596 656 = B- 413 473 = C- 230 290 = D- 718 778 = B+ 535 595 = C+ 352 412 = D+ 0-229 = F Note: A minimum grade of C is required to pass this course.
Overall Assignments Your primary assignments will be to read/read/read, complete vocabulary projects, complete a read/do activity; write and present a two page argumentative paper with cover sheet and works cited page. You will use search engines to research and familiarize yourselves with the Internet/WEB. You will also discuss beyond the titles/headlines of current newspaper articles and explore inferences of various cartoons, music and a movie. Homework All major assignments must be submitted in order to successfully pass this course. It is your responsibility to refer frequently to your syllabus to see when assignments are due. It is also very important that you refer frequently to your email for further instructions or clarity of upcoming assignments. Homework is due at the beginning of class. Points will be deducted for late homework. Homework is not accepted more than two calendar days late, nor should it be late more than twice during the semester. Ten points will be deducted for each day late over and above any errors that you may have incurred. All assignments must be typed in Standard English. Assignments that are done in a texting format such as U R is not acceptable. ALL sentences must begin with capital letters including emails. Email Emails are a quick and easy way to receive instructor support. Emails will be checked Monday through Friday. Responses will be prompt and thorough. Emails sent over the weekend (Saturday/Sunday) will receive a response on Monday. If you need to email your work to me, include the class (ENG 097) plus the section) on the subject line. Your work should look the same as it would if you handed it to me in person. Please send all work as an attachment to your email not as part of your email. This will ensure that I will be able to retrieve your work. If I can t retrieve your work, you will not receive credit for your work. Tuesdays with Morrie will be read on your own time since the semester is short. However, you will do 4 in-class activities for 25 points each. There will be specific times in which you will read portions of the novel, Tuesdays w/morrie. After reading the entire novel, you will turn in a two-page summation with a cover sheet valued at 100 points. The activity sheets are included in your course pack and should be turned in following each reading. The final summation is to be done in MLA style. An MLA Guide is included in your course pack. Argumentative Paper (150 points) (50 pts = presentation; 100 pts = paper) You will choose a topic, type your paper and deliver your presentation according to your point of view. Example: If you choose the topic Capital Punishment - state a clear topic such as I agree that the law should enforce capital punishment for crimes of murder because Research the Internet for an article(s) to support your opinion. The body of your paper should be a FULL two pages. Points will be deducted for less than two pages PLUS the works cited page - PLUS the cover sheet a total of four (4) pages. You will include three (2) separate references on your works cited page. Follow the MLA guidelines in your Course Pack. No late papers will be accepted. A date is scheduled for you to turn in a ONE TIME ONLY draft (worth 50 points) before the final paper is due. The purpose of this draft is to make sure that you re on the right track. The draft will be handed back to you so you can make the necessary corrections. On your final paper, I will only be checking for corrections that were pointed out on your draft. (I will not reread your entire paper). You will return the draft (stapled to the back of your final paper) on the due date of your presentation. If this draft is not attached to your final paper, the 50 points that were given to you for your DRAFT will be deducted. Vocabulary - ing (75 points) This is a serious assignment that deals with new vocabulary, and an in-depth dictionary exercise. You will be responsible for finding 10 unfamiliar words, typing them, and presenting them to the class. If I feel that your words are not challenging enough, you will not be given points for that particular word(s). Please DO NOT retrieve words directly from the dictionary. This is a reading class therefore these words should be from materials that you have read. You will list each of your new vocabulary words and turn them in to your instructor on the date of your presentation. This assignment should be neatly typed. You will list each of your new vocabulary words - in order - according to the guidelines below:
Cite the source where you found the word (name of book/article; date; author) Explain what you think the word means thru context Look up the true dictionary meaning and explain if the definition is the same as yours Make sure the word is spelled correctly Give the word etymology or word origin (from the dictionary) List the parts of speech (from the dictionary) Construct a sentence using the word with the correct part(s) of speech Final Exam (200 points) There will be a final exam at the end of the semester. This final exam will randomly cover materials and skills that were covered during the semester. Conference two 50 points (25 points each) One (one-on-one; and one brief exit) conference will be held during the semester. I will discuss your progress and grades with you and you will have an opportunity to address any questions and concerns that you might have. This conference counts the same as a class and attendance will be recorded. Inferences: News Articles/Cartoons/Music (25 pts. each) Movie Inference 100 points -- (175 pts. total) Current news articles, brief cartoons, music, and a movie will be in-class participation activities. Your instructor will supply the music and the movie. You will seek out your own news articles and cartoons and bring them to class. (Please cut your articles out prior to the start of class). The class will dig deep into analyzing the contents as well as stylistic devices, such as imagery, tone, diction, author bias, and the main ideas/supporting details. My hope is that you will look beyond the obvious and search for what is below the surface. The objective is to make sure that each student fully understands the gist of the news articles and the cartoons. For the music and the movie, you will utilize your five senses and think outside the box in areas of what is REALLY taking place beyond the surface. Attendance and Expectations: Attendance is vital and necessary for this course. ALL assignments are to be neat (not wrinkled, not in your back pocket and minus binder fringes). If you re absent, it is your responsibility to find out what the assignment is by checking with a classmate or with me via email prior to the next class. The day of the next scheduled class is not a good time to inquire about missed homework. I wasn t here, so I didn t know, is not acceptable. Three missed classes may result in an instructor withdrawal from the class. Cell phones should be turned off or on vibrate during class. No laptops please! Tardiness: Class will start on time. Repetitive tardiness is not acceptable. Three late days or early departures of 10 minutes or more counts as one day of being absent from class unless a reasonable explanation is given. (At the end of the semester, five bonus points will be awarded to those with perfect attendance). Withdrawals/Drops: If you stop attending class for whatever reason, make sure you (legally) withdraw from the class. Otherwise there is a possibility that your grade will turn into an F rather than a W. Please consult with an academic advisor before withdrawing. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty and a serious offense in the academic world. It is misrepresenting the work of others as your own. There is a Zero Tolerance policy for plagiarism or passing off somebody else s work as yours. Plagiarism will automatically result in failing the assignment and possibly the course. Disability Services: Students with a documented disability should contact the Director of Disability Services in D102 at 989-686-9322 early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. Also, Marcie Carter, Director of the Bridge Program in D102 is skilled and qualified in helping developmental learners and can be contacted at 989-686-9163.
Adverse Weather Policy: The college policy is as follows: Adverse weather may affect the regular operations of Delta College. Recognizing its responsibility to students and the community, the College will close only under extreme circumstances when it appears that the interests of all concerned will be best served by closing the campus. If the college closes, it will be announced on all major radio and television stations and posted on the Delta college website (www.delta.edu). You may also check the college s status by calling (989) 686-9179. The WRIT (Writing, Reading & Information Technology) Center Peer writing consultants and writing faculty offer assistance to all students who would like a skilled reader to assist with papers. Students will be served on a walk-in basis. No appointment is necessary. When visiting the writing center, take a description of your assignment as well as any writing you have. The Writing Center is located in the back right corner of the library. Teaching/Learning Center: Main campus: LLIC 686-9424; http://www.delta.edu/tlc). The professional staff and peer tutors provide free tutoring in all academic content areas, including reading, writing, and study skills. Please consult their website for their hours. They also offer on-line tutoring at (http://www.delta.edu/tlc/tlcyber). You will need your Delta student ID number and the code for the course (ENG 097). Tentative Schedule: Instructor reserves the right to change assignments at any time. Date In-Class Activities Personal Prep for Next Class May 6 Introduction Icebreaker Course/syllabus Argumentative Rpt Disc d (Suggested topics p-119) What is Reading/Active Learning? Preferred Learning Styles Eight Parts Speech Concentration/Blocks/Techniques Internal/External Distracters Origami Activity How to read a book Review Tues/Morrie (complete p. 131 course pack. Read pages 1-47 (Tuesdays w/morrie) May 8 Using the Dictionary Roots/Prefixes/Suffixes Denotations/Connotations Punctuations Subject/Verb Agreement; Fragments; Run-ons Web Vocab/Rubric Evaluating Internet Sources 2RCA Memory/Stages/Exercise (Fire Drill @ 10:30) May 13 Argumentative Paper Discussed MLA Guideline Discussed Acrostics/Acronyms Managing Reading time/time Management Visual Aids (Understanding/Interpreting Types of visuals/selecting visuals Creating your own visuals Tues w/morrie activity due p.132 Course Pack May 15 Mind Maps/Prioritizing Details
May 20 May 22 May 27 May 29 June 3 June 5 June 10 June 12 What is Inference/Inference Strategies? How much to infer/implied Main Idea Author s purpose, tone, bias Comparisons/Similarities/Information Gaps ½ Class time Computer Lab Argu. Paper Conference Sign Up Textbook Markings What/How Much To Mark? Personal Sys./Symbols/Highlighter/Margins Cues MLA Guidelines Discussed PSR (Preview, Study-Read, Review) Argumentative Draft Due OWCs Methods of Organization Read pages 48 99 (Tues w/morrie) What is an Argument? Evaluating Arguments/Parts of an Argument Inductive/Deductive Fact/Opinion/Fallacies Reason/Conclusion Vocab. Presentations/Papers (10 unfamiliar words Conferences Tuesdays w/morrie activity due (page 133 in Course Pack). Bring to conference Final Argumentative Paper/Presentation Due Inferences Due - News Articles/Cartoons (Locate the main ideas. With the Music, Feel with your thoughts and emotions, hear with your eyes, and see with your ears. Blooms Taxonomy Movie Debut Inference (Quiet snack permitted) Instructions included in Course Pack. Read pages 100 159 (Tues w/morrie) Becoming a More Efficient Reader Developing a Daily Reading Plan Purpose for Writing/Writing Tips Topics, Main Ideas, Major/Minor Sup. Details Movie Inference Summary Due w/cover sheet Final Exam Overview Tues w/morrie Activity due (p. 134 in Course Pack). Final Exam June 17 June 19 Return Exam papers Evaluations Brief exit conference (points/grades discussed) Reflections