Course Syllabus
State Centers Community College District Fresno City College
Course Syllabus English 126
Course: English 126, Section: # 28647
Time & Places: 6:00 PM-9:50 PM ~ Mon Evenings
Language Arts Building, Room 120 (LA 120) Be there or be square!
Instructor: Carla J. Neal, MA.Ed. Education, Reading, CSUF
California Reading Specialist Credential, Multiple Subjects Credential,
B.A. Political Science, San Jose State University, Vermont Law School, Master of Environmental Law & Policy
Office Hours: Student to arrange, typically before class or schedule with instructor.
** (See also the Writing and Reading Center FCC website & on campus *****(559) 442-8205)
Ms. Neal’s Cell Phone: (559) 514-1601
E-mail: carla.neal@fresnocitycollege.edu
* Please Feel Free to connect with me on Linked-In, Facebook and Twitter after the semester is over and please “Like” the Facebook page Reading at Fresno City College.
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ~ Charles W. Eliot
Required Reading & Materials:
- Required: Main Class Textbook: Ten Steps to Advanced Reading, by John Langen, Townsend Press
- American Heritage Dictionary, recommended & optional
- Required: Advanced Word Power, By Johnson and Goldstein, Townsend Press
- Required: Literature book- Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson
- Required: 2 Large Bluebooks for Literature Responses/Journaling
- Required Green blue or red Grading Pen
- 2-3 Scranton’s – 882E, and a #2 pencil (will give advance notice)
- Canvas Account to see class plans, activities, assignments & grades online/ SCCCD email
- Linked-In online Professional Account - https://www.linkedin.com/
- USB for storing research and papers
- 1 File Folder to store weekly assignments and checklist with weekly progress in Neal’s file.
Course Description: This course is designed to raise your study, vocabulary and reading skills so you will be successful in subsequent academic, career and technical college-level courses. You will learn to use reading process techniques and strategies designed to advance your vocabulary, comprehension and retention. The course objective is for you to be prepared for critical reading, ideas development, research and thinking in college courses and in life. You will have a variety of opportunities for practice and test rehearsals in the textbook and online.
Instruction Methods: This course will consist of lectures, discussions, group assignments, active activities, demonstrations, and workshops. Some of the class time will be spent in small groups, in conferences, the library and computer lab online.
Course Requirements:
- IMPORTANT: For this class---Attend and participate as an active learner every class period. ( 2 absences allowed- after that grade can drop an entire letter grade for excessive absences over 18 week period)—please tell me or text me if you are absent and be sure assignments are turned in next class period even if assignment is late. (Assignments a–day-late can be accepted but reduced a whole letter grade or more.) Students who regularly attend class are the ones who most often succeed because they are committed to reaching their goals.
- Complete all 3 textbook assignments in Advanced Reading, Silent Sprint and Advanced Word Power in class and out of class.
- Perform satisfactorily on reading, literacy assignments, discussions, tests, quizzes, midterm, and final with a final semester average of at least 70% or higher.
Attendance: Don’t be Square or Quit ! Come to class every day. Because we will cover a lot of material every day, you will find that to be a successful college student, you must be present. Absences (excused or unexcused) may result in your being administratively withdrawn from the course before the first census. Please talk to me if you are having problems with attendance and communicate if you are dropping out or if you want to be dropped by calling my cell phone (previous page), otherwise I assume you are still enrolled if you are there intermittently some of the time and absent other times!
Academic Demeanor: Please honor the no-eating and drinking policy, unless approved for breaks or class party. Please be responsible for leaving your work area/ class clean and presentable for the next group of students to enter the room and Thank you in advance! The instructor reserves the right to remove anyone who creates a distraction in class.
We will have to work together as a class, in small groups, and individually. In order to foster a safe community of learning and sharing, we need to establish guidelines that enforce respect. Listed below are some rules I find necessary to begin such an environment. As a class, we may want to set up further guidelines for discussions, workshops, or assignments. 1) Turn off all electronic devices, cellular phones, iPods, headphones and radios before entering class. 2) If you are late, please enter quietly without disturbing the activity in progress. 3) You are responsible for all information you might have missed due to any absences or tardiness. 4) Show respect for others while they are speaking, working, or listening. 5) Plagiarism may result in failure of the course.
Plagiarism: Students are cautioned about plagiarism, which literally means to kidnap (takes others ideas without proper citation/reference) and is the passing of another persons’ words, ideas, or particularly apt phrases as your own. Credit will not be given for any plagiarized work.
Schedule: The following schedule is subject to change. Please as questions and check with your instructor to verify assignments and due dates.
Week 1, August 14, 2017 Course Introductions; Purchase All 3 Books! Academic Demeanor; Syllabus Review; Ch 1 Main Ideas Powerpoint, notes and discussion, In the Main Textbook-- Introduction Reading: How to Become a Better Reader and Thinker, Some Quick Study Tips, Notes on Vocabulary in Context, A Reading Challenge. Literature: Silent Spring, Read Ch. 1 A Fable for Tomorrow, Advanced Word Power-- Vocabulary Ch 1 & Ch 2 , All Class work is due the following week of class on Monday as our regular routine.
Week 2, August 21, 2017: 1.)Chapter 1~ Main Ideas, Practices, Reading: Getting a Good Night's Sleep Sora Song, Review Test, Mastery Test given in class next week for ch 1 Main Ideas.; 2.) Advanced Word Power (vocabulary) chapter 3 & 4. 3.) Silent Spring—write in bluebook--questions and literature responses and Read/Respond Chapter 2 The Obligation to Endure -All Assignments due next week 3.
Week 3, August 28, 2017 : 1.) Chapter 2 ~ Supporting Details, Practices, Reading: Alcohol Charles G. Morris and Albert A. Maisto, Review Test, Mastery Test Ch. 1; 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 5 & 6. , Keep Reading: 3.) Silent Spring-Ch 3, pg 15 Elixers of Death (read & journal responses) All Assignments due at the beginning of next class week 4, Monday
Week 4, September 4, 2017 :LABOR DAY Holiday ( Monday-Sept 4th) Assignments are for out of class-- 1.) Chapter 3~ Implied Main Ideas, practices, Reading: “Extra Large, Please" Alice M. Davies Review Test,-Mastery Tests Assigned from Ch. 2 Sup. Details ; 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 7 & 8. 3.) Silent Spring Ch 4, pg. 39 Surface Waters and Underground Seas (read & journal response) All assignments due at the beginning of next class week 5 on Monday.
Week 5, September 11, 2017 : 1.) Chapter 4~ Relationships I, practices, Reading: Skills of Effective Face-to-Face Conversationalists Rudolph F. Verderber and Kathleen S. Verderber, Review Test, Mastery Test Ch. 3; 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 9 &10. 3.) Silent Spring Ch 5, pg 53 Realms of the Soil (read & journal response), assignments are due next week on Monday.
Week 6, September 18, 2017 : 1.) Chapter 5~ Relationships II, practices, Reading: Hoover and Hard Times Mary Beth Norton and others, Review Test, Mastery Test Ch. 4 ; 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 11 & 12., 3.) Silent Spring - Chapter 6 Earth’s Green Mantle, pg 63 (read & journal response), All assignments due by February 23rd at the beginning of class.
Week 7, September 25, 2017 ~ 1.) Chapter 6 ~ Inferences, practices, Reading: The Ugly Truth about Beauty Dave Barry, Review Test, Mastery Test Ch. 5 ; 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 13 & 14. 3.) Silent Spring-Ch. 7 , pg. 85 Needless Havoc (READ & journal responses) All assignments due at the beginning of next class.
Week 8, October 2, 2017 : 1.) Chapter 7 ~ Purpose and Tone, practices, Reading: Self-Help Books Wayne Weiten, Dana S. Dunn, and Elizabeth Yost Hammer, Review Test, Mastery Test; 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 15 & 16. 3.) Silent Spring Ch. 8, pg. 103 And No Birds Sing, (read & journal response) ,** Prepare for Midterm-Study, All assignments due Monday next class.
Week 9, October 9 , 2017 : *****Midterm Exam TBD-- Covers--Chapter 1-6 Main textbook, Chapter 1-14 Vocabulary, Silent Spring Ch. 1-8 , Please study, review and all work to this point must be turned in for credit, no exceptions! CH 9, p 120 Rivers of Death (read & journal response
Week 10, October 16, 2017: 1.) Chapter 8 ~ Argument, practices, Reading: Diamonds Aren't Forever Ruth A. Rouff, Review Test, Mastery Test; 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 17 & 18. 3.) Silent Spring Ch. 10, pg. 154 Indiscriminately from the Skies (read & journal response), Assignments due next Monday.
Week 11, October 23, 2017: 1.) Chapter 9 ~ Critical Reading, practices, Reading: A Scary Time to Raise a Daughter Steve Lopez, Review Test, Mastery Test; 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 19 & 20. 3.) Silent Spring Silent Spring Begin Ch. 11 pg. Beyond the Dreams of the Borgias, Chapter 11 (read & journal response)
Week 12, October 30, 2017 : 1.) Chapter 10 ~ Active Reading and Study, practices, Reading: Personal Conflict Styles Ronald B. Adler, Russell F. Proctor II, and Neil Towne, Review Test, Mastery Test;
2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 21 & 22. 3.) Silent Spring Begin Ch. 12, pg 187 - The Human Price- (read & journal response), All assignments due the beginning of class meeting. 4. START CLASS DEBATE
Week 13, November 6, 2017 : 1.) Advanced Reading Textbook: Part 2 Ten Reading Selections- Read and complete selections: 1.) Understand Your Nervousness Steven A. Beebe and Susan J. Beebe, 2.) Consequences of Social Class James M. Henslin; Doing Well in Science and Mathematics, Also Read Magazine Article: Mother Jones: Smart Phones Dirty Radioactive Secret, http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2012/11/rare-earth-elements-iphone-malaysia, Complete Class Assignments, 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 23 & 24. 3.) Silent Spring Ch. 13 Through A Narrow Window (journal response),- - (read & journal response), All assignments due the beginning of class meeting. 4. START CLASS DEBATE
Week 14, November 13,2017 1.) Part 2 Ten Reading Selections: 3.) Types of Nonverbal Symbols Michael Drafke4.) The Roots of Happiness: An Empirical Analysis Wayne Weiten, Dana S. Dunn, and Elizabeth Yost Hammer, The Human Body: An Orientation Elaine N. Marieb and Katja Hoehn 2.) Prepare for Class Debate, Read ---1.) Discuss Homework Reading Mother Jones: Smart Phones Dirty Radioactive Secret, 2.) Advanced Word Power chapter 25 & 24 3.) Silent Spring- Ch 14, pg One in Every Four(journal response) and - Prepare Final for Literature- Essay questions. Relationships and Combined-Skills Tests. All assignments due o beginning of class. Prepare for Final and Finishing Books Assignments.
Week 16-17, November 20, 27, 2017 –1.) Silent Spring- Ch 15 Nature Fights, Ch 16 The Rumblings of an Avalanche and Ch 17 The Other Road Back to the end Chapter 17 pg. 245-297 (read, questions and journal responses), All Assignments Due- Monday Silent Spring and Journal Responses—Journal is Due December 6, 2017 . Vocabulary books are Due December 6, 2017. Whole Class Debate is on November 29th Be there or no Credit!
Week 18-December 4 Debate and Finish all Books,
2017 Final Exam Date December 11th, 2017 ----You can do it!
Keep positive and finish strong as possible! Be there!!!
Course Objectives:
- Comprehend and discuss both literal and implied meanings.
- Analyze various writing techniques and their effect on the reading process.
- Evaluate the credibility of authors’ treatments.
- Vary reading strategies and rate according to the level of difficulty of the writing.
- Analyze organization and relationships in selections.
- Distinguish between fact and opinion.
- Understand and use new vocabulary.
- Keep a reading/response journal for self-selected reading materials.
- Complete at least two, full-length, self-selected novels.
- Write in response to assigned reading selections.
Expected Outcomes/Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Employ various techniques to recognize and use new vocabulary;
- Demonstrate ability to determine literal and interpretive meaning ;( stated or implied ideas)
- Demonstrate ability to critically analyze material; (critical thinking and analysis)
- Demonstrate skill to employ reading strategies and the reading & literacy processes;
- Demonstrate skill in selecting and using appropriate study skills; and
- Demonstrate basic research skills. J
Teaching Methods Instructors style is friendly & respectful with interactive Socratic methods of direct instruction and lecture with group/partner workshops, individualized pace instruction, and computer - assisted instruction employed. Instructor’s Personal Goals for A Good Course in Reading: 1.) Aim to Challenge students to higher level learning. 2.) Use active forms of learning. 3.) Give frequent and immediate feedback to students on the quality of their learning. 4.) Uses a structured sequence of different learning activities. 5.) Has a fair system for assessing and grading students, grades posted on Canvas.
Instructor’s Personal Goals for A Good Course in Reading:
- Aim to Challenge students to higher level learning.
- Use active forms of learning.
- Give frequent and immediate feedback to students on the quality of their learning.
- Uses a structured sequence of different learning activities.
- Has a fair system for assessing and grading students.
- All questions & Comments are good! Please ask for help if you need it!
Student with Disabilities
If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in alternate media (i.e. Braille, large print, or electronic text, etc.) per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have a disability that may require classroom or test accommodations, please contact Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) for verification. Then inform me of your approved accommodations. The DSP&S Program is located upstairs in the Student Services building. Their phone number is (559) 442-4600 x8237. You will need to provide written documentation of your disability. If you think you have a learning disability but are not sure, DSP&S may also be able to assist you. All information will be kept confidential. Let me know as soon as possible so that we can make any arrangements needed for this class.
Assignments and Grading
Assignments include:
Reading Class Text & Literature
Question and Literature Responses in Bluebook
Daily Class Text Book practices and Review Tests
Group/Partner Work
Mastery Tests and quizzes, Midterm, Final Exams
Summaries and Responses
Vocabulary Assignments
Homework- Online practices and reading assignments
Research & Library Reading Projects- Oral Presentation, Debate and PowerPoint
ASSIGNMENTS are collected at the beginning or end of the class session the following week. Anything after this time is late and will not be accepted for credit and/or grades are reduced. EXCEPTION: Major assignments worth 25 or more points will be accepted up to 24 hours late for half credit. No make-up exams or quizzes will be given, but the lowest test score will be dropped. Final exams must be taken when scheduled. Extra credit opportunities may be available. Points may be earned through short quizzes & Mastery Tests, etc., usually during the first 3-5 minutes of class. These cannot be made up. You must be present and on time to earn these points.
Grades
This course is a credit and graded course. A - F grades will be recorded and will become part of a student’s record. Students must earn at least a 70% overall (C grade) to receive a passing grade and progress to the next level.
The following grading system will be used:
Reading Novel Activities (Silent Spring) 25%
Reading Text Exercises/practices (Ten Steps to Advanced Reading) 30%
Mastery Tests & Quizzes (weekly) 5%
Advanced Word Power (Vocabulary) 20%
Daily Reading & Writing 10%
Midterm & Final Exam 10%
Total 100% Possible
Grades will be assigned according to the following criteria:
A 90-100% B 80-89 % C 70-79 % D 60-69 % F 0-59% or less
Please adhere to the Weekly Class Assignments on this syllabus and Canvas for specific assignments and projects.
Tests: In addition to daily reading/writing assignments, students should expect a major test in both vocabulary and reading approximately each week. Most of these will be in the book. Quizzes may be given towards extra credit or as needed for additional learning of reading strategies and classroom work.
Time Commitment: In addition to attending class regularly, students are expected to spend a minimum of approximately one hour out of class for every one hour in class. Students are expected to read 30-60 minutes daily of class assignments and your selected readings.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THRIVING, NOT MERELY SURVIVING: Frequent the Writing and Reading Center and the Library for free assistance with reading and writing assignments. I strongly recommend weekly attendance at the Center! Form study groups with your classmates. Share e-mail addresses and/or telephone numbers with classmates to help and support each other. Set aside a regular study time in a quiet location with light for uninterrupted study. Come to class after an absence to get already caught up! Call or e-mail a classmate when you need assignments you have missed. Please see me for additional help or text me. Confirm work missed with instructor and make any arrangements as soon as possible for make-up work. Continue to complete work on chapters each week even when absent and see Weekly Plan on Blackboard and any announcements online. Stay caught up as much as possible and plan/work ahead as needed.
*Please communicate with me in person, by phone, text or email if you have any questions and I will respond to you as soon as possible. I am here to help you reach your goals and to be successful in this class, college and in life. What can I do to help you? (559) 514-1601 Carla Neal
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Course Summary:
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