English 085 – College Reading 9-10:56 AM Tuesday and Thursday Room 211Instructor: Finch Roberts [email protected] 2006TEXTS: Introduction to Critical Reading. Cornerstones.Attendance: Attendance is vital. Strong attendance demonstrates a commitment to learning and respect toward classmates and the instructor.0 times absent = student bonus.1-2 times absent = even.3 times absent = drop .5 grade.4 times absent = drop 1 grade.5 times absent = drop 2 grades.6 times absent = fail.Class Schedule / Assignments – Tuesday August 22 – Introductions. Nelson Denney Course Placement.Thursday August 24 – Class Goals. Book PreviewsTuesday August 29 – 4 Articles & Clippings – 3 words circled – defined.Thursday August 31 – ICR / CornerstonesTuesday September 5 – ICR / CornerstonesThursday September 7 – ICR / CornerstonesTuesday September 12 – Novel Selection. Thursday September 14 – 4 Articles & Clippings – 3 words circled – defined.Tuesday September 19 – A letter to a company whose product is awe-inspiring. 1 copy to Finch and 1 copy to send.Thursday September 21 – Discussion / Collected Works Folder Reading Project.(Schedule / Assignments Continued)Tuesday September 26 – Map DayThursday September 28 – 4 Articles & Clippings – 3 words circled – defined.Tuesday October 3 – Project Success Day! No Classes.Thursday October 5 - ConferencesTuesday October 10 - ConferencesThursday October 12 – ICR / CornerstonesTuesday October 17 Novel Progress ReportThursday October 19 – Magazine DayTuesday October 24 – ICR / CornerstonesThursday October 26 - 4 Articles & Clippings – 3 words circled – defined.Tuesday October 31 – Russell Kirk – Ghost Stories.Thursday November 2 Reading Project Progress ReportTuesday November 7 – All About Books.Thursday November 9 – ICR / CornerstonesTuesday November 14 – 4 Articles & Clippings – 3 words circled – defined. Thursday November 16 - ConferencesTuesday November 21 - ConferencesThursday November 23 Happy Thanksgiving! Tuesday November 28 – Collected Works Folder PlanningThursday November 30 – Nelson DenneyTuesday December 5 - PresentationsThursday December 7 - PresentationsTuesday December 12 - PresentationsThursday December 14 – CelebrationClass Objectives and Associate Degree OutcomesUpon successful completion of Eng. 085 students will:1.) Increase their reading comprehension.2.) Make connections between their reading assignments and their personal experiences and prior knowledge.3.) Express their understanding of readings through their own writing.4.) Learn study strategies which enhance their understanding, memory, and time efficiency for reading assignments.5.) Combine information from several sources on one subject in order to synthesize a conclusion.6.) Increase the use of written material as a source of information and enjoyment.7.) Increase critical thinking skills.8.) Learn to actively participate in small groups.Class Etiquette / Notes:Drafts / revisions drop 2 full grades for each class session late. Due dates are firm.No E-mailed drafts / revisions accepted.Do not eat in class. Feel free to enjoy a bottle of water or other beverages – you are responsible for your own spills.Cell phones are detrimental to the learning environment and are notallowed.No incomplete granted for this class.Instructor reserves the right to count students absent if they leave early or arrive late.Excused absences may change to unexcused absences at anytime, especially if the digression is habitual.Your work is governed by the existing plagiarism policy. Associate Degree Outcome language is available (as needed) by navigating through the main JCC web site.Achieve with originality and enjoy the semester!Three Important Principles of ReadingIf there is one overriding principle which you must follow, it is that all your reading must be accompanied by vigorous mental activity. Good readers do not simply read words. They always do something with or tothe information on the page. This is what we call INTERACTION.If college is to be worth anything to you, it must provide you with knowledge, skills and experiences which you do not already have. The process of pushing your intellectual limits in reading may be difficult and frustrating, but you will improve if you are willing to invest TIME. Notice I did not say S*P*E*N*D* time. You may spend time watching TVor playing cards, but time devoted educating yourself is an investment.There are PATTERNS in many aspects of reading: words follow patterns,sentences follow patterns, and paragraphs follow patterns. Frequently we fail to recognize these patterns until we have been shown severaltimes. We all learn at different rates, and so some will require more repetition than others.Each assignment, test, or paper you do is worth a specified number of points. Each semester the total points vary slightly as I vary the assignments. We will add up the points at the individual conferences and other times if needed.(Scale continues)70-79% = C (2.0)80-89% = B (3.0)90-100% = A (4.0)Reading Project = 15%Defined Words Project = 20%Cornerstone 20%Daily Class Activities (Introduction to Critical Reading) 25%Interaction 10%Novel Presentation