READ & REACT 5C

Winter 2009

Wendy Pickering       C 227 B

Office Phone:         425-564-3143

Office Hours:         M – F: 11:00 - 12:00

Class Hour:            M – F: 12:30 – 1:30, R 305

wpickeri@bcc.ctc.edu

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:

     demonstrate comprehension of academic texts with general education content from a range of disciplines.

     adjust reading strategies according to textual demands and reading purposes.

· analyze the use of facts and examples to support and explain generalizations, statements of theory, and implicit main ideas or assumptions.

· develop vocabulary by applying effective strategies to clarify, analyze, and learn the meaning of new words in nonliterary text.

· interpret the use of figurative language in literary text.

· discriminate, select, learn and use important words pertinent to specific academic reading contexts.

· interpret an author’s purpose, point of view, or tone when reading a text.

· apply a variety of critical thinking skills through reading, such as making and articulating plausible inferences, interpretations, implications or consequences.

· apply effective study skills.

TEXTS

Topics for Today, 3^rd Ed., by Smith and Mare

The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd

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

An English-English Dictionary

GRADED WORK AND FINAL GRADES

• 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 “D.”  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.         
• 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 I believe you have not written your assignment on your own, I will ask you 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 me.  If I don’t hear from you, I will assume that you understand the material.  If you need extra help, talk to me about coming to see me during my office hours so I can help you.
• 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 me in advance if you know you are going to miss class for any reason.
• Contact the instructor through phone or email when absent of if you have a question about an assignment.
• Recommendations will be happily given to students receiving an A or B grade in this class.  A three-day notice is needed.
• 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.
• Use college appropriate behavior in the classroom.
• Be positive.  J

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.