Jackson Community CollegeFall 2006Journal for Introduction to Critical Reading:Journal for Cornerstone: Building on Your Best:Grades:100-93 = 4.0Attendance:Associate Degree Outcomes:Jackson Community CollegeEnglish 085College ReadingFall 2006Instructor: Amy LeightonBert Walker Hall Monday 6-8:34 room 118Wednesday 6-8:34 room 101 Email: [email protected] Textbooks and Supplies: 1. Introduction to Critical Reading, sixth edition, by Leah McCraney. 2. The Rose That Grew From Concrete, by Tupac Shakur3. Cornerstone: Building on Your Best, concise 5th edition, by Sherfield, Montgomery, and Moody.4. Spiral notebook (2): single-subject, college rule, size 81/2 inches x 11 inches5. Index cards6. Folder7. Highlighter8. Sticky notes9. Dictionary 10. Thesaurus.Course Objectives: 1. Improve reading comprehension2. Improve vocabulary 3. Write summaries demonstrating understanding of reading selections 4. Create connections between texts and personal experiences5. Combine information from several sources6. Read for enjoyment and information7. Develop a range of study skills and strategiesThese course components address and/or measure achievement of the above objectives:1. Nelson-Denny Reading Pre & Post Tests2. Reading journals: writing summaries and making connections between texts and your life3. Vocabulary development assignments and tests4. Researching and synthesizing information project 5. Personal reading and discussion6. Working through study skills text, Cornerstone: Building on Your BestJournal for Introduction to Critical Reading:You are expected to read the assigned works and also to write about them in your reading journal (spiral notebook). Unless it is otherwise specified you should write about the works, concentrating on 1) identifying and describing your thoughts and questions as you read, 2) determining the authors purpose and/or key points in the text, 3) telling your related stories. Your handwriting must be legible. Otherwise, your paper should be typed and attached into your notebook. Journals count as 40% of your grade. 1) Metacognition: 1Being aware of your own thinking. Record your thoughts, questions or difficulties (andwhat you did to resolve them) that occur as you’re reading. Hold your thoughts on sticky notes. You should have at least one sticky note per page.You may use the following prompts to start your writing:In my mind I can picture/visualize…I think this means…I wonder…I infer…I’m confused by…The confusing part was…This term caused me to be confused…I didn’t understand this sentence…I will help myself by…Also, on an index card you will need to record the following prompts and respond to both sentences for each reading assignment. Be prepared to share at the beginning of class:I’m sure that…I’m confused by…2) Notes:Using your own words present the author’s intent for writing the work. What does the author want you to know? What seems to be the main idea, focus, or purpose of the work? Give evidence from the text to defend your thinking. Also, include how the work is organized. Does the work begin in the middle of the action, at the end? In what sequence does the workdescribe/discuss the setting, characters and events. Who is the speaker of the work? What is the tone of the work? Happy, energetic, sad, confused, frustrated, optimistic, ashamed, guilty, weak, proud, hopeful, satisfied, content, annoyed, bitter, hostile, jealous, critical, worried, unsure, hurt, etc. What words (evidence in the text) make you believe your conclusions?You may use the following prompts to start your writing:This is important because…The author wants me to know…The author’s message is…I believe the purpose of this work is…The focus of this work is…3) Application:What stories from your own or another person’s experiences come to mind as you read? Write about how some part of the text relates to you, another text or the world. You may use the following prompts to start your writing:This reminds me of…I once saw a movie similar to…This character reminds me of…In another class we discussed…I saw an article in a newspaper/magazine that discussed this same issue…This reminds of the lyrics from a song…The Reading Journal will be graded by the following measures: The sections are clearly labeled 1, 2 and 3 and the areas of focus are addressed  The writing is legible Long quotes from the text aren’t included The words are your own and not the authorsProse Poetry24.00 2 pages 4.00 1 page3.00 1 ½ pages 3.00 ¾ page2.00 1 page 2.00 ½ page1.00 ½ page 1.00 ¼ pageJournal for Cornerstone: Building on Your Best:You will be responsible for reading each chapter and responding, in your textbook, to the questions at the end of each section. This will count as 15% of your grade.Vocabulary: Throughout the semester you will be given sixty vocabulary words (3 lists of 20 words).The vocabulary words were collected from the course reading selections are and considerednecessary for clear understanding and comprehension of the selections in addition to building personal vocabulary. Write each vocabulary word on an index card with the definition on the back. Be sure to bring the cards to each class. Also, for each word provide: 1) dictionary definition 2) antonym or non-example 3) synonym 4) an original sentence using the word. Please underline or highlight the word.At the conclusion of study of each vocabulary word list a test will follow. Prefix, suffix and root word study will also be a component of course vocabulary development and will be assessed.Vocabulary, prefix, suffix and root word assignments and tests will count as 30% of your grade.Projects & In Class Activities:Projects and in class activities will be discussed and explained throughout the term and will count as 15% of your grade.Grades:100-93 = 4.092-88 = 3.587-83 = 3.082-78 = 2.577-71 = 2.070-64 = 1.563-56 = 1.055-48 = 0.5Late work will be accepted, at reduced points, if we have discussed the situation beforehand.Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. If you miss a class due to an emergency, it is your responsibility tocontact a classmate or the instructor before the next class meeting to find out what you