Instructors:  Shannon King (email:  sking@bellevuecollege.edu)                                 

                          Message phone:  425-564-3403  Office:  C227                                                

 Office hours MTWRF 12:00-12:50 by appointment

The following texts* and materials are required for this course:   * No Used Textbooks Allowed!!

· Understanding and Using English Grammar Fourth Edition, by Betty Azar

· Great Paragraphs (3rd Edition), by Folse, Muchmore-Vokoun, Solomon

· 8 1/2  x 11 – inch white lined paper for your homework

· a blue-book for your journal

· a paper folder with pockets or a plastic presentation folder for your writing portfolio

· a pen or pencil

· a dictionary NO CELL PHONE DICTIONARIES ALLOWED

Course Description

We will be using the MyBC sharepoint for this class.  You must check the website daily.  You need to make sure that you can access MYBC and that you have a BC email account.  Both are required by the third day of class. If you need assistance creating an account, take your student number to the computer Lab in N250.  Go to MyBC and click on the class link.

On this page you can find assignment handouts, class information, notices from your teacher, online discussion boards, and other items of interest.  You will be asked to print things out for yourself from this site.  BC has computer labs with access to printers if you do not have a printer at home: The Writing Lab D204, The Computer Lab N250.  THE COMPUTER LAB IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS DURING THE SUMMER.  In the event of severe weather or public health issues, we will continue to participate in class via MyBC. 

Writing: Half of our class will be devoted to studying how to write a good paragraph in English. You will study how to organize and develop your ideas. Some of your paragraphs will be timed in class, and some will be written at home.  You will write journals as practice for building speed and fluency.

Grammar: The other half of the class will be devoted to studying grammar. I will explain the concepts in class, and we will do some short exercises to make sure that you understand how to use the grammar. However, most of your grammar practice will be done in your grammar book at home. We will discuss your questions about the exercises in class.

Learning Outcomes: STUDENTS MUST DEMONSTRATE MASTERY OF THESE SKILLS IN ORDER TO BE READY TO MOVE ON TO LEVEL 4.

Grammar

-   demonstrate the mastery of all Level 1 and 2 materials.

-   use subject, object, demonstrative, reflexive, and possessive pronouns correctly.

-   use passive voice appropriately (including passive modals).

-   recognize, form, and use the present perfect, past perfect, and present perfect progressive

    verb tenses correctly.

-  recognize past perfect progressive, future progressive, future perfect, and future perfect progressive               verb tenses.

-   produce compound sentences using coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet,     so) and sentence connectors like moreover, furthermore, however, and therefore.

-   identify and form complex sentences with adverb clauses of time and reason.

-  use simple forms of gerunds and infinitives correctly.

-  learn the difference between phrases and clauses with because, because of, while, and during. 

Writing

-   use the writing process to produce polished pieces of writing. 

-   generate ideas using brainstorming and free-writing techniques.

-   produce quality writings in a timed, in-class setting.

-   write formal paragraphs using clear topic sentences, supporting sentences, and concluding            sentences.

-   write different styles of paragraphs, including narrative, descriptive, and expository paragraphs. 

-   develop your ideas effectively using examples, facts, and opinions to support your main idea. 

-   organize your writing so that it is coherent and unified.

-   use different sentence patterns to create variety in your paragraphs.

-   use punctuation correctly.

-  learn how to avoid errors such as fragments, run-ons, comma splices, and double subjects.

-   edit and proofread your own writing.

Classroom Culture:

• Our classroom is an English-only environment.  Speaking other languages in the classroom (even during break time) will affect your grade. 
• You must get up from your seat and move during break time.  You may not sleep or sit and chat.
• No cell phones, PDAs, 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. 
• Use college appropriate behavior in the classroom.
• Practice respectful and responsible behavior when you are ill.

Attendance and Participation

It is important for you to attend every class session, come to class on time, and stay for the entire class period.  Attendance and participation will affect your final grade. 

10 absences = F (not passing)

8 or 9 absences = no higher than a D (not passing)

3 tardies of 5 minutes of more = 1 absence

Missing 10 minutes or more of any hour of class = ½ absence)

Course Requirements

! Please turn in your homework on the day it is due.  If you are absent, turn it in on your first day back, and it will not be late.  If you are not absent but turn in homework late, the grade will drop 10% each day it is late.  Homework turned in more than three (3) days late will not be accepted.  If you are ill, email me or call before class. 

  1).  Daily Homework Assignments:  You will need to spend time outside of class doing          homework, revising your writing assignments, and studying for quizzes.  You will receive points on the homework assignments I collect. 

  2).   Grammar Assessments, Quizzes and Exams:  There will be a quiz every Friday.  If you are absent on the day of a quiz, you must make arrangements to make up the quiz within two class days of the absence during office hours.  There will be review tests every few weeks.

  3).   Writing Assignments:  You will do weekly writing assignments throughout the quarter.  Some assignments will be in-class timed writings and others will be at- home revised assignments.  If you are absent on the day of an in-class writing, you must make an appointment with me to do the assignment outside of class.  Keep your papers organized as we will be using a portfolio approach to writing revision.  You will be required to turn in all steps in the writing and revision process.  Final drafts must be typed.

  4).   Exams:  There will be a mid-term exam and a final exam.  Each exam will be a timed writing exam that will be graded by other ELI teachers.  Early or late exams will not be given. 

Assignments and Grading:  Everything you do in this course will improve your skills.  Not all activities will be part of your grade.  Your final grade in this class will be based on your class average and your final writing exam.  In order to pass the class, your class average must be 75% or higher and you must receive a passing score on the final exam.  If you do not receive a passing score on your final exam (or if you do not take the final exam), your grade will be lowered one letter grade.  Your grade averages are based on the following percentages:

Grammar Quizzes and Assessments                      30%

Grammar Exams                                                        20%

In Class Writing Tests                                            30%

Writing Portfolios                                                    15%

Participation, Attitude, Effort                              5%

OFTEN STUDENTS ARE CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT CONSTITUTES AN A, B, OR C GRADE.  BELOW I HAVE INCLUDED WHAT THESE GRADES MEAN IN US COLLEGES AND INSTITUTIONS.

BC ELI Grading Scale:     A = 93-100 (You consistently went way beyond what was expected.  Extraordinary effort and extraordinary skill)

B = 84-92 (You consistently did what you were expected to do and more.  High effort and high skill)

C = 75-83 (You consistently did what you were expected to do.  Average effort and average skill)

                                    D = 0-74 (repeat level; good effort)

                                    F = 0-74 (repeat level; unsatisfactory effort)

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 564-2498 or go in person to the DRC program office in B132.

Other:

Please refer to the Arts and Humanities Student Procedures and Expectations   www.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/studentinfo.asp   for all other information.

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:

o       Copying from a Web page, book or article

o       Buying papers

o       Copying from another student

o       Using a friend’s paper from a previous quarter

If you plagiarize:

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

o       Second time:  Fail the assignment

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

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

I encourage you to make use of Bellevue College’s Writing Lab website http://bellevuecollege.edu/writinglab/.

How to Succeed in this Course

1.  Participate.  Join in the class.  Be respectful and active.

2.  Ask questions immediately.  If you don’t understand something I say or something you read, ask me about it.  Don’t wait to ask later.  You might forget your question!  J

3.  Plan.  Don’t wait until the last minute to do your work.  Plan your time so that you aren’t rushed and so that you can ask questions before an assignment is due.

4.  Give me feedback.  If something is very difficult or needs to be explained more, please tell me.  I am happy to go over the lessons again.  Likewise, if you really enjoy something that we do, let me know.

5.  Make appointments for extra help.  If you find that you are struggling with something we are working on, make an appointment to see me for some extra support.  I am ALWAYS happy to meet with students.  Remember, you are responsible for your own learning. If you need help, it is up to you to ask for it.

6.  Have a positive attitude.  You may not like everything that you do in all of your classes, but try to find something positive about the work.  Have a positive attitude toward your instructors and your fellow students.  You will have less stress and more fun!

7.  Share your ideas and opinions.  Interact with the reading.  Relate it to your own life.  This will help you retain the information and will help you be a better writer!

8.  Stay organized.  Keep your papers in a binder in chronological order.  This way you not only have a portfolio of your work, but you also can find assignments easily.  Also, I will be giving you a lot of supplemental handouts which you will want to reference.

9.  Do your own work.  Do not copy your friend’s work or copy from a newspaper or Internet site.  Trust me, I will know.  This is plagiarism.  It is a very serious offense in United States colleges and universities.

10.  Try your hardest.  I know that you are going through a lot as students.  I know you are under a lot of pressure too.  Don’t let that get you down.  Always try to do your best.

Homework Buddy:

Name:   ___________________Phone or E-mail: ________________________