READ & REACT 5A

Winter 2012

Instructor:                Wendy Pickering                       

Office Location:    C 227 B                               

Office Phone:      425-564-3143                 

Office Hours:      11:00 am – 12:00 pm                

wpickeri@bellevuecollege.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Read & React emphasizes the kind of reading that you will encounter in academic classes at an American college or university.  The intent of the class is to prepare you for academic success by building on the reading skills you acquired in the lower levels and analyzing a variety of subjects with longer readings.  You will also read for pleasure and engage in sustained reading of a single broad subject.  The course will include written responses to and discussion of various readings.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

When the course is finished, students should be able to:

     confirm or revise predictions made prior to reading a passage.

     draw conclusions and make inferences from a reading.

· identify the author’s point of view in a reading

· analyze fiction through identification of plot, character, setting, theme style, tone and language.

· analyze non-fiction by recognizing rhetorical organization, types of support, style, tone and language.

· respond appropriately to questions about reading.

· express and opinion relevant to the content of a passage.

· support views with reasons and evidence

· extend and/or apply the ideas expressed in a reading to other situations.

· summarize and paraphrase a reading.

· identify significant similarities and differences between situations, characters, and outcomes.

· synthesize information to create ideas and opinions.

· recognize one’s own biases and values and acknowledge the perspectives of others.

· use evidence and logic to questions and analyze information.

· find specific materials in the library and online

· evaluate the quality of internet resources for authority, objectivity, accuracy, currency.

· cite sources using MLA format.

TEXTS

Ten Steps to Advanced Reading, by John Langan

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein

A 3-ring binder for keeping and organizing the materials for this class.

An English-English Dictionary

NOTE:  No used textbooks or books with answers in them will be allowed.

GRADED WORK AND FINAL GRADES

You must achieve 75% or higher to pass this class.  Your grade will be based on scores on quizzes and tests, your presentations, your written work and homework assignments, and on your activity and participation in class:

Participation, Attitude and Effort     10%

Reading and Vocabulary Tests          40%

              Homework Assignments                 30%

              Projects/Presentations                  20%

Grading Scale:     A = 93 – 100

                                    B = 84 – 92

                                    C = 75 - 83

D = 70 – 74 (Repeat class; good effort)

F = 0 – 70 (Repeat class; poor effort)

EXPECTATIONS FOR CLASS CONDUCT

• You should plan to attend class every day and arrive on time. If you are absent 10 days, you will receive a non-passing grade (D or F) and 12 absences will mean an “F” grade and possible dismissal from the program.
• Three tardies (5 minutes late to class) equals one absence.  Absences and tardies will be subtracted from your participation grade.
• You are expected to come to class adequately prepared and participate in class discussions and activities. If you are absent, you are still responsible for homework and material covered.  Check with a “study-buddy” to find out what you missed.         
• Our classroom is an English-only environment.
• Please ask questions and ask for help when needed.
• All out-of-class response writings must be typed and in the following format:  double-spaced; size 12 font; 1 inch margins; centered title; full name, date, and assignment name in the upper right hand corner.
• Assignments lose 10% of their value per day late.  No homework will be accepted more than two days after the due date.  All assignments are due AT THE BEGINNING of the class period.  All assignments must be in hard copy form.  Print before coming to class.  Always back up your work.
• Keep all assignments and written work well-organized in a three-ring binder.  Keep track of your progress in each area of class.
• DO YOUR OWN WORK!  If your instructor believes you have not written your assignment on your own, you will be asked to do it again.  Do not have others do your editing for you.  Any plagiarized work will be returned ungraded.
• If you are unclear about an assignment, please ask your instructor.  If I don’t hear from you, I will assume that you understand the material.  If you need extra help, make an appointment to see your instructor during her office hours for help.
• Make-up tests are not given unless you have a note from the doctor or serious extenuating circumstances that prevented you from being present in class.  Please talk to your instructor in advance if you know you are going to miss class for any reason.
• Contact the instructor through Bellevue College phone or email when absent of if you have a question about an assignment.  Please use your BC email account for contacting the instructor.
• Recommendations will be happily given to students receiving an A or B grade in this class.  A three-day notice is needed.
• Use college appropriate behavior in the classroom.
• No cell phones, beepers, headphones, eating or gum chewing in class, please.  When you enter the classroom, it is time to prepare your mind for learning.  There should be no distractions from the learning environment.  Thank you.
• Each time your instructor has to ask you to put away your phone is a loss of 2 points. You are not participating in the class if you are texting or playing with your phone.  You can check with your instructor at the end of each week to find out how many points you have lost.
• Be positive and proactive in your learning.  J

Plagiarism and Cheating

Students are in ELI classes to learn English and ELI teachers are here to help them. Cheating makes that harder for both the students and the teachers. There are different kinds of cheating: plagiarism, “borrowing” a classmate’s homework (partially or wholly), using an essay or a presentation from a previous quarter, using “cheat notes,” and copying answers from classmates’ papers during tests.

Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas as your own in both writing and oral presentations.  It is cheating and is not acceptable in American classes.

Examples of plagiarism are:

· Copying from a Web page, book or article

· Buying papers

· Copying from another student

· Using a friend’s paper from a previous quarter

If you plagiarize:

· First time:  your teacher will work with you so that you understand what not to do

· Second time:  Fail the assignment

· Third time:  Fail the class and be reported to the Associate

Dean of Student Services.  Possibly be asked to leave the school.

Students With Special Needs

If you require accommodation based on a documented disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case of emergency evacuation, please make an appointment with DRC (Disability Resource Center).  If you would like to inquire about becoming a DRC student, you may call 425-564-2498 or go in person to the DRC program office in B 132.

Students with mobility challenges who may need assistance in case of an emergency situation or evacuation should register with Disability Support Services, or review those needs with the instructor as well.

Read Your Way to Success!