* vocabulary study
* vocabulary in context
* recognizing main ideas
* identifying key supporting details
* understanding relationship patterns
* drawing inferences
* distinguishing facts from opinions
* understanding purpose and tone
* detecting bias and propaganda
* evaluating arguments
* summarizing and outlining

2. When you have completed the first six chapters in the Comprehension text - you take the Comprehension Mid-term, worth 10% of your grade. When you have completed the first six chapters in Vocabulary Study, you take the Vocabulary Mid-term, also worth 10% of your grade. This is not done by computer. You will have to do this in LC 40, the Reading Center.

3. When you have completed chapters 7 - 10 in the Comprehension text, you take the Comprehension Final Exam, which is worth 20% of your grade. When you have completed chapters 7 -10 in Vocabulary Study, you take the Vocabulary Final Exam, also worth 20% of your grade. This is not done by computer. You will have to do this in LC 40, the Reading Center.

• Each week that you do not contact me counts as one absence.

You need three books for this course.

The first is your Comprehension book.

 10 Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills 3rd Edition(Langan)

Following each chapter, Advancing has 3 review tests (including a long reading selection) and 6 Mastery Tests you will have to do.

The second book you need is this vocabulary text:

Vocabulary Study for Academic Success (Broderick)

 The third book you need is:

Magic of Thinking Big (Schwartz) or Truth About Success(Melara)

1. Your scores on assignments-text and written (20% of grade)
2 Mid-term exam (20% of grade)
3. Summaries (20% of grade)
4. Final Vocabulary test (20% of grade)
5. Final Comprehension test (20% of grade)
 

Grading is as follows:

A 90 - 100% B 80 - 89% C 70 -79% D 60 - 69% F 0 - 59%

This course satisfies the Reading Requirement established by the Board of Trustees at this school. If you pass this class, you have met that requirement.

The assignments are from the Comprehension text, Vocabulary Study. and Magic of Thinking Big.

The assignments are essentially the same. For each book, you read the chapter and then do the following:

Advancing: do the 3 review tests that end the chapter (including the reading selection and the multiple-choice questions that follow it) and the 6 Mastery Tests for that chapter - they are in the middle of the book, starting on page 237.

• As an example, once you finish with Chapter 1: Vocabulary in Context, you would do Review Tests 1-3 on pages 16-24, and the Vocabulary in Context Mastery Tests on pages 237-246.

Vocabulary Study: do the Mastery Test that ends the chapter.

When you finish with each assignment (one chapter in the Comprehension book and one chapter in Vocabulary Study), you e-mail me to let me know that you have completed whatever chapter it is and that you want the answers.

I e-mail you with the answers. You e-mail me back with your scores, like this:

Test 1 - missed 2

Test 2 - missed 0, etc.

• Remember, these scores are important for various reasons:

1. They tell both of us if you are having problems with a particular skill. If you are having problems, I will advise you on how to strengthen that skill.

2. They count for 20% of your grade.

3. The tests themselves will prepare you for the Mid-terms and Finals.

You must summarize five selections from the Rd 54 Summary Packet handed out at the first class session. Here is what you need to know about this:

1. You can do them at any time during the semester.

2. You can either e-mail a summary to me or hand-deliver it to me or leave at the Reading Center. If you hand-deliver it, don't forget to e-mail me that you have hand-delivered it and get my confirmation that I've received it.

3. Do NOT start on a new summary until you have received feedback from me on your previous summary. My feedback will help you with the next one you will be doing.

4. Feel free to do more than 5 summaries - I will count your highest 5 for your grade (summaries count as 20% of your grade), so if you get a low grade on one, you can replace it by doing an additional summary and getting a higher grade on that one.

5. From "Magic of Thinking Big," read assigned chapters and answer discussion questions. Here is what you need to know about this:

There are four ways to contact me - remember, you must contact me each week or be counted as "absent":

a. I'm dead, in which case you are not likely to hear from me again.

b. The system malfunctioned. It happens sometimes - try sending your message again.

c. You did something wrong. Try again, and "cc" yourself. This will let you know if the message went through - if you forget the message you sent, that means I got it, as well.

d. Call my voice mail (562-860-2451 X2841) to let me know that you have e-mailed me and have not heard from me. We will figure out the problem together.

2. You can call my voice-mail number (562-860-2451 X 2841) and tell me how you are progressing on the assignments. If you want me to call you back, I will do so if you leave your name and number. Make sure your name and number are spoken CLEARLY!

3. You can use the school's computers to contact me. I especially recommend using the computers in LC 209 (Reading Center), as the Instructional Aides on duty  will help you log on and help you with any problem you may be having.