03041

                                                                       

 

               A Reader’s Tool Kit

 

q       Reading and All That Jazz,  Mather

         & McCarthy, 2nd Ed.

q       1(one) three ring, three inch binder for

          portfolio

q       Notebook dividers for portfolio

q       Notebook paper

_____________________________________

Please read this syllabus carefully.  It is an agreement; by accepting it, you agree to try your best to meet these requirements.  If you have any disabilities or special requirements, please let me know as soon as possible.  All requests will be kept in strict confidence.

  Course Description: REA 0002 (College Prep Reading II) develops and enhances independent reading and learning strategies to equip the student with the knowledge and applicable thinking and attitudinal skills necessary for success in college.  Three hours of classroom instruction plus two hours of support in the lab are requirements for successful completion of this course.  Prerequisites:  REA 001 with a grade of “C” or better or score of 60 – 82 on the reading portion of the CPT or other equivalent scores on other state-approved entry tests.  This course reinforces the following CLAST and Valencia graduate competencies:

 

            CLAST Competencies:

ü      Essay Skills

ü      English Language Skills

ü      Reading Skills

 

Valencia faculty have defined the four interrelated competencies (Value, Think, Communicate, Act) that prepare students to succeed in the world community. These competencies are defined below and in the College Catalog. In this course, through classroom lecture and discussion, group work, and other learning activities, you will further develop your mastery of these core competencies.

Valencia Graduate Competencies

 

ü      Think clearly, critically, and creatively. Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate in many domains of human inquiry.

 

This core competency will be addressed in the various reading activities

and assignments completed in and out of class.

 

ü      Communicate with different audiences using varied and appropriate methods (oral, written, visual/graphic, non-verbal).

 

This core competency will be addressed through portfolio reflective journals, REA 0002 Forum Book Talk, and other assignments.

 

ü      Make reasoned value judgments and responsible commitments.

 

This core competency will be addressed through the compilation of the REA 0002 Portfolio and through REA 0002 Book Talk.

 

ü      Act purposefully, reflectively, and responsibly in the context of adult life (personal, professional, community).

 

This core competency will be addressed by completing all portfolio assignments and lab assignments on time and in good format.

  Reading Skills and Writing Strategies Goals: My overall goal is for you to be able to take in all of the information you have heard in class and make it make sense.  This goal involves the following subgoals:

ü      Become an independent, active learner

ü      Develop “successful student” behaviors

ü      Effectively manage your time

ü      Efficiently read textbooks

ü      Improve listening and note taking skills

ü      Improve test taking skills

ü      Increase your vocabulary

ü      Use the Osceola Campus’s LRC’s resources more effectively

ü      Become a critical thinker and reader

ü      Improve writing skills using Mainstream English

  Class Format and Philosophy:  Valencia C.C. believes in the following learning principles:

ü      People learn by doing activities themselves.

ü      People learn by being as active and interactive as possible.

ü      People learn by making mistakes, seeing why they are mistakes, and then trying again and trying again as many times as necessary.

ü      The human brain is born wanting to learn and knowing how to learn by practicing, practicing, practicing, and practicing.  This is the natural learning process.

Portfolios:  You will compile a portfolio for this course.  A portfolio is a collection of your work secured in a folder for a specific purpose.  During the early weeks of the term, the Diagnostic Portfolio, which presents a series of specific activities and feedback, is used to ensure your readiness to learn.  The Working Portfolio presents a comprehensive record of all of your work during the semester.  The Display Portfolio of best works is used to discuss your level of mastery.

Grading:  Grades are determined by the points awarded for the Diagnostic, Working, and Display Portfolios. These portfolios will assess the following skills: ability to construct a coherent essay (cover letters for Diagnostic and Display Portfolios), ability to organize, ability to follow directions, ability to pass classroom exams, and ability to work on one’s own and make deadlines.  The grades are as follows:

                                    A or B = Portfolio Exceeds Expectations

                                            C = Portfolio Meets Expectations

                                    D or F = Portfolio Falls Below Expectations

                        20% = Diagnostic Portfolio  - Due 9/17 (MW) 9/18 (TR)

                        50% = Working Portfolio – Due 12/8 (MW)  12/9 (TR)

                                 (Assessment of Working Portfolio is ongoing.

  10% will be deducted for missing Portfolio Conference

   during the week of 10/27 – 10/31)

                        30% = Display Portfolio  - Due 12/8 (MW); 12/9 (TR)

The point system is based on upon a scale of 100; the translation to letter grades is as follows:

                        A  = 100 – 93 Points  (Exceeds Expectations)

                        B  = 92 – 86 Points  (Exceeds Expectations)

                        C  = 85 – 70 Points  (Meets Expectations)

                        D  = 69 – 60 Points  (Below Expectations)

                        F  = 59 - 0 Points (Below Expectations)

                        Your portfolio represents your ability to become a “successful” college student. Successful college students share many common behaviors that ensure their success. Successful college students are able to

ü      Follow directions

ü      Complete assignments by their due dates

ü      Understand that “presentation” counts

ü      Take full control and responsibility for their learning

  Exiting Requirement: To successfully exit REA 0002, you must have a passing grade on a state mandated, standardized reading test given during the last week of classes (December 8 (MW) and 9 (TR), 2003) and have a grade of C or better on your portfolio.  Failure to pass this reading test will result in your failure of the course.  If your portfolio evaluation is a D or F (Falls below Expectations), you will not exit the course.

Lab Requirement: In keeping with the State of Florida ’s and Valencia C.C.’s requirement, two hours per week must be spent doing course related work in the Computer Assisted Instructional Lab in room 130 and/or the LRC.  One component of Lab is learning how to use the LRC’s online and CD Rom databases for research purposes. Hard copies of Lab assignments will be handed out before the due date, but they can also be found on my website for REA 0002. The due dates for each assignment can be found in the attached schedule of course activities and assignments. The evaluation of each assignment is as follows:

¨      Exceeds Expectations (A – B / 100 - 86): Lab Assignment is completed in good form and is submitted by the due date.

¨      Meets Expectations (C / 85 - 70): Lab Assignment is completed in good form, but is submitted after the due date, OR Lab Assignment is completed in mediocre form, but is submitted by the due date.

¨      Below Expectations (D – F / 69 - 0): Lab Assignment is completed in mediocre or poor form and is submitted after the due date. Any Lab Assignment that is more than two weeks late will only receive a “Below Expectations” evaluation.

Another weekly lab assignment is “Book Talk Forum.” Please see the attached directions for this activity.

 Failure to complete weekly lab assignments will result in failure of this course.

Classroom Protocol:

ü      Attendance is required.  More than two (2) absences will result in a warning email via ATLAS.  I reserve the right to withdraw any student with more than four absences.

ü      New, unmarked copies of  the textbook of Reading and All that Jazz are required of all students. Success in this class depends on active participation. Reading and All That Jazz is a workbook, and many exercises in this textbook will be completed during class. Used textbooks with answers written in the textbook will prevent students from actively participating. All students must have an appropriate textbook by the beginning of Week 3 (September 8 – 12), or they may be withdrawn from the class.

ü      Students are responsible for being in class on time, being prepared (bringing textbook to all class sessions: sharing a textbook is not permissible), and, if absent, finding out what was missed.

ü      Three tardies (being more than five (5) minutes late to class equals one (1) absence. Leaving class early (ten (10) minutes or less to go in the class meeting) will be treated as a tardy.  Leaving class with more than ten (10) minutes to go in the class meeting will be considered an absence.

ü      Respect is demanded for all that have come to learn and to share.   All opinions are respected and are open to challenge.  Critical and skeptical thinking are your tools; facts are your medium.

ü      Classroom disruptions will not be tolerated.  This includes talking while professor is talking and leaving the classroom to use the restroom or to get a drink of water.

ü      Cellular phones and pagers will be turned off during class meetings.

ü      No food or drink should be brought into the classroom.

The final withdrawal date for Session I is Friday, October 31, 2003 .  Withdrawal forms are available in the Administration Office. Instructor withdrawals for excessive absences or other reason will result in a grade of “WP” (withdrawn passing) or “WF” (withdrawn failing) based on the last day of attendance.  A “W” or a “WP” will not be calculated as an “F” in the grade point average.  Withdrawals after the deadline require the permission of the professor and the department chair.

Academic Honesty: A student must do his or her own work; there are no exceptions.  This includes homework, lab modules, and tests.  Plagiarism is against the policies of Valencia Community College and violates the basic moral principles of western civilization.  Students who plagiarize or cheat in any way risk dismissal from the class or expulsion from the college.

What You Can Expect From Me:

ü      Well structured, relevant tasks and class sessions

ü      Encouragement, support, and understanding

ü      Clear communication

ü      Willingness to learn from you as learning is a two way conversation

What I Expect From You:

ü      Being present for class.  It is impossible to participate if you are not here.

ü      Being prepared for class.  This means that you have thoughtfully done any reading or writing that was assigned and have brought books, pens, paper, and portfolio to class.  Many class activities are done in collaborative groups; the success of the group depends on each individual doing his or her part….

ü      Being present IN class.  This means you are actively listening and that you are doing whatever is required.

ü      Asking questions when you do not understand and continuing to ask until you are satisfied with the answer.

 

Disclaimer:  Course policies and procedures may be changed at the discretion of the instructor; students will be notified in writing.