READING 0975–ADVANCED ESL READING

Bull, Pat. Academic Word Power 3. Houghton Mifflin, 2004.

ISBN: 0618397701

The American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed

An in-depth bilingual dictionary

Arthur, Linda L., and Mark Dallas. Reading for College: Georgia Reading Exams. 2^nd ed. Kendall/Hunt. ISBN: 0757505392

No. 2 pencils/pens (some bright colors)

three-ring notebook with dividers

notebook paper for binder

highlighter

2 packages of 3x5 index cards

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course replaces READ 0098 for ESL students. Emphasis is given to second language vocabulary development, signal words, and critical reading skills. Passing this course and the required COMPASS Reading exam enables ESL students to satisfy the learning support reading requirement. The course may be repeated up to three times.

COURSE ENTRY:

The course is for second language students needing Reading learning support. Students whose first language is not English enter the course by placement, on the basis of substandard SAT, ACT, or Compass Reading (40-79) scores.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The goals of the course are:

1. to increase vocabulary skills and comprehension;

2. to develop student motivation and responsibility;

3. to explain and to practice finding a purpose for reading;

4. to build skills in finding the main idea;

5. to interpret patterns of organization in textbooks;

6. to increase reading speed and reading comprehension;

7. to provide more efficient reading skills or problem solving skills ;

8. to build literal and inferential comprehension and evaluating abilities;

9. to increase time management and study skills.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students successfully completing this course should be able to

1. respond appropriately to standardized tests;

2. develop rudimentary computer research skills;

3. increase reading speed while maintaining comprehension;

4. read critically and understand literally common academic passages;

5. recognize and use college-level vocabulary;

6. adjust reading skills to given readings and test-taking situations;

7. apply reading study techniques to college reading passages;

8. acquire computer skills to use in electronic reading assignments;

9. respond in appropriate written form to reading assignments.

ASSESSMENT GOALS:

The assessment goals are from the student learning outcomes.

1. Students will respond appropriately to standardized tests;

2. Students will develop rudimentary computer research skills;

3. Students will increase reading speed while maintaining comprehension

EVALUATION:

The class average will be determined as follows:

50% C Practice Reading Tests

30% C Class work & homework

Comprehension Quizzes = 20%

Final = 5%

Daily Homework/Class work = 5%

20% C Vocabulary Quizzes

At the end of the semester, one low grade will be dropped before the grade is averaged. The final exam, the project, and the attendance grade are protected. In other words, these grades will not be dropped even if they are low.

Students should demonstrate increased vocabulary skills and critical reading comprehension, including skills in analysis, inference, and conclusion. Coursework averages of at least 75% qualify students to take the required-to-exit COMPASS Reading exam. Two attempts at the exit exam are available to students averaging 80% in coursework. Scores of at least 80 on the COMPASS Reading exam indicate college-level reading skills.

Students with at least 75% in coursework and at least 80 on the COMPASS Reading exam receive S marks, indicating satisfactory course completion. Students with 74% and less receive U, denoting unsatisfactory. Also, students with 75% or better in coursework but who do not earn at least 80 on the COMPASS Reading exam receive U=s. Students who do not pass the course must retake it the next semester.

COLLEGE READING:

Passing this course and the attached COMPASS Reading exam are strong indications that students can read college level textbooks. On the other hand, students who have not passed the COMPASS Reading exam may not enroll in most DSC courses, which naturally require college-level reading ability.

ATTENDANCE/LATE WORK AND/OR MAKE-UP POLICY:

Attendance is not mandatory; however, students are strongly advised to attend every class. Excessive absences can greatly affect a student=s chances for success. When a student misses a class, he/she will miss instructions, demonstrations, group discussions, practice activities, or tests that are vital to the student=s progress in the class.

While attendance is not mandatory, the instructor does believe that consistent attendance is needed for continual academic progress and success. Therefore, each student will receive a grade for his/her attendance. Each student will begin with 100%. If a student is absent, then 15 points per day will be deducted. Tardy arrivals and early dismissals will cause a 5 point deduction in the attendance grade. The final attendance grade will be averaged with the test grades.

Once the student receives an assignment, he/she is expected to complete the assignment by the due date. Each student will receive two homework passes. These passes may be used in the event of any emergency in order to submit two homework assignments after the due dates. Only two late assignments per student will be accepted, and these assignments must be submitted on or before the next class period. The homework passes do not protect the possible grade a student can earn; for each day the assignment is late, the grade will drop by 10 points. Even if the student is absent, the due date stands. After a student has utilized both homework passes, no more late homework assignments will be accepted; therefore any additional late homework assignments will not be given or graded and will earn a grade of AO@. Students are responsible for the submission of their work; therefore, they should not expect the instructor to remind them about their assignments. If a student misses a graded class discussion (Book Club), a student may use a homework pass for this assignment if the student has a pass available.

Each student will receive two test passes. These passes may be used in the event of any emergency in order to take two tests after the assigned dates. Only two late tests per student will be accepted, and these tests must be made-up within 48 hours. The test passes do not protect the possible grade a student can earn; for each day the test is late, the grade will drop by 10 points. After a student has utilized both test passes, no more late tests will be accepted; therefore any additional missed exams will not be graded and will earn a grade of AO@. A student must make-up a missed assignment within forty-eight hours if he/she misses a test, quiz, exam, or other major assignment. If the assignment is not made-up within the forty-eight-hour period, a grade of 0 (zero) will be earned. Furthermore, it is the student=s responsibility to contact the instructor in advance if he/she will be unable to complete the major assignment on the scheduled day. If such contact is not made, then the student will not get the opportunity to make up the assignment. Thus, a 0 (zero) will be earned.

Any tests or homework assignments that are submitted after the due dates will be graded at the instructor=s convenience. In other words, late work will be graded after work that is submitted in a timely manner.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES:

ACCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with disabilities are invited to contact the Academic and Career Enhancement (ACE) Center of Dalton State College to request reasonable accommodations for academic programs and other activities of Dalton State College. Students are encouraged to contact the ACE Center as soon as possible and to make an appointment with Disability Support Services (DSS) staff to begin the process of qualifying for accommodations. Professional documentation must be provided that explains and verifies the disability and resulting limitations before DSS Services and accommodations can be utilized. Once documentation is provided, students must allow adequate time for assessment of documentation and implementation of approved accommodations. For additional information, please contact:

Mary Andrews

ACE Center - Disability Support Services

Lower Level, Pope Student Center

650 College Drive, Dalton, GA 30720, 706-272-4429

Students who are unable to come to the ACE Center to request accommodations for

a disability, should call 706-272-4429.

Students who are unable to access the instructor=s office

should call the instructor at (706) 272-2583 for assistance.

DROP/WITHDRAWAL POLICY:

Students wishing to withdraw from the course may do so without penalty until the mid-point of the semester, and a grade of W will be assigned. After that point, withdrawal without penalty is permitted only in cases of extreme hardship as determined by the Vice President for Academic Affairs; otherwise a grade of WF will be issued. (Please note: At Dalton State College, the Hardship Withdrawal process requires students to withdraw from all classes at the college.) The proper form for dropping a course or withdrawing from the college is the Schedule Adjustment Form, which can be obtained at the Enrollment Services Office in Westcott Hall. The Schedule Adjustment Form must be submitted to the Enrollment Services Office. Students who disappear, completing neither the official withdrawal procedure nor the course work, will receive the grade of F. This instructor will not withdraw students from the class. Withdrawal from any Dalton State College classes is a student responsibility. The last day to drop classes without penalty is October 27, 2006.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:

If a student receiving aid administered by the DSC Workforce Development Department drops this class or completely withdraws from College, the Schedule Adjustment Form must be taken to the Workforce Development office in Room 112 of the Technical Education building. The Office is open on the following schedule:

Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 9 am to12:15 and 1:30 to 5 pm

Friday: 8 am to noon

Contact the office at 706-272-2635

NOTES:

All students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting college students. Class disturbances will not be accepted or tolerated.

Cell phones and beepers must be turned off before entering the classroom. These devices disturb the learning environment. Thus, they are only permitted in emergency situations, and these rare instances must be approved in advance by the instructor.

If a student=s handwriting is difficult for the instructor to read, then the instructor reserves the right to require this student to type all graded assignments.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Ms. Sharon L. Hixon

Office B Liberal Arts Building B Room 232

(706) 272-2583 There is a voice mail system that operates 24 hours per day.

M/W 9:45AM B 10:45 AM (August 17, 2006 B December 7, 2006)

M/W 3:10 PM B 6:10 PM (August 17, 2006 B November 9, 2006)

T/R 3:10PM B 4:10 PM (August 7, 2006 B October 27, 2006)

T/R 1:35PM -- 2:35 PM (October 30, 2006 B December 8, 2006)

M/W 1:35PM B 4:35 PM (November 13, 2006 B December 8, 2006)

Secretary B Ms. Donna Hendrix B (706) 272-4403

E-Mail B shixon@daltonstate.edu

If you use E-mail, please include your class number on the subject line. This will help with the recognition of important E-mail messages.

General Toll-Free Number: 1-800-829-4436 If you use this number, you will need to ask to speak with Sharon Hixon.

Web Address: http://www.daltonstate.edu/faculty/shixon/

Banner Access: http://www.daltonstate.edu/ Click on gray box ADSC Connect B WebMail,Banner@ located on the bottom left portion of the page. Enter your user name and password. Click on gray AStudent@ tab found on the top right hand portion of the page. Click on AMy Courses@ to access all of your courses. Click on the name of this course. Click on Afiles@ to access course materials.