ENSL B61
BASIC Reading/Vocabulary
Professor Rodacker “Ms. Beth” Fall 2011
MW 10:30~12:35pm Phone: 395-4793
E-mail: Office & Hours: FA 61 M W 3:15-5:45pm
Course Objectives:
ENSL B 61 is a basic ESL course; you will be developing your English reading skills in this class. We will focus on various reading skills and strategies, including comprehension, vocabulary, and critical reading and thinking skills. We will read topics in fiction and non-fiction and discuss them in class. We will also practice strategies in class that will assist you to begin to understand college level work. Additionally, you will learn new vocabulary, begin to read more fluently and increase the motivation to read independently. We will also do some academic writing in class and practice other language skills. All of the language skills that we practice should help you to improve your English skills and make you a better reader.
Student Learning Outcomes:
●Develop and expand vocabulary in English
●Recognize word parts
●Practice using context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar words
●Identify main ideas and supporting details in reading passages
●Analyze the relationship among ideas and themes in readings
●Demonstrate skills with a monolingual dictionary
Course Goals:
· Begin to develop critical thinking skills by analyzing various reading selections and participating in class discussions using Academic English
· Interact successfully with the text via sustained inquiry
· Identify the writer’s purpose, point of view and begin to understand audience awareness
· Improve overall language skills
· Increase reading speed and fluency and develop motivation and desire to read independently
· Attain other valuable skills necessary to be a successful reader
· Understand basic differences between good and poor readers while practicing and applying good readers’ traits
Required texts and materials:
1. Reading Explorer 2 by P. MacIntyre
2. Sold by P. McCormick
3. Reading Changed My Life by B. Johnson (available on line for free at http://www.townsendpress.com/pdf/RCMeBook.pdf)
4. Cambridge Dictionary of American English (note: always bring to class)
5. A notebook (8 ½ X 11) for lecture and reading notes
6. Pens/Pencils
Course Requirements:
1. Reading Assignments: We will have frequent reading assignments from Reading Explorer 2. You must also read the books Reading Changed My Life! And Sold, and while reading these two books, you must complete your Reading Response Journal which guides you as you read.
2. Reader Response Journals: Complete these for each section of Reading Changed My Life! And Sold; bring it to class completed for class discussion and Collaborative Learning. No late Journals will be accepted.
3. Quizzes/Reading Checks: Unannounced quizzes/reading checks will be given in class, so make sure you keep up with all reading assignments. Also pay close attention to any recordings, films/videos/DVDs shown in class and class discussions. You may be quizzed over these as well.
4. Homework Assignments: Often homework will be given during class. Homework is due the following class session, unless otherwise specified.
5. Collaborative Learning: ENSL 61 is often run as a learning workshop: students read, discuss, and sometimes write about a number of assignments from our texts. You are expected to prepare for and participate during Collaborative Learning. A significant portion of your grade is attributed to Collaborative Learning, so stay focused. You must bring your books to class each day so you can participate in Collaborative Learning effectively. You will prepare for quizzes, anticipate test questions, identify and define vocabulary and discuss the content of the novels. Please take this seriously as you are graded on your participation and activity.
6. Book Report: All students will prepare a written and oral book report from the library’s “Great Reads” book list. Please see the additional handout about this assignment. Please check the syllabus for due dates. The Book Report must be typed and proofread. You may have your Book Report edited in the Student Learning Center.
7. Studenthood: You must accept responsibility for this course. This includes attending class, completing your homework, participating in class, and acting like an adult. We may have discussions about studenthood periodically throughout the semester.
8. Final Exam: This will be in December, at the end of the semester. Your Final Exam will include tests over textbooks and vocabulary. More details will follow.
9. Vocabulary Logs: Your vocabulary logs will be assessed throughout the semester. You must add at least 15 new words for 10 weeks from Reading Explorer 2, in class discussions, Reading Changed My Life! Sold, other textbooks, and class discussions/lectures, not randomly from the dictionary! See the attached example for how to organize your Vocabulary Log. Organize your Vocabulary Log exactly as described for full credit. All Vocabulary Logs must be typed. Handwritten Vocabulary Logs will not be accepted. Please submit your Vocabulary Log each week. No late assignments will be accepted.
10. Tests: After each unit from Reading Explorer 2, we will have a test. We may have tests over Reading Changed My Life! and Sold as well. Vocabulary tests will be given regularly. Study carefully! Expect to spend about 4-6 hours of studying per week for success in class.
Grading:
Grading options: A, B, C, D, F. Grade breakdown: Reading 30%, Tests & Quizzes 20%, Vocabulary Log Collaborative Learning 20%, Studenthood and Other Assignments 10%, & Book Report 20%. Some assignments may be graded with a √ (satisfactory), √+ (superior work), or √- (needs improvement). Note: The letter grades of D and F are not passing; if you receive a D or F, you may not advance to the next level.
Attendance Policy:
Regular attending is mandatory. Class is fun. Class is where the action is. Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. If you miss the first and/or second day of class, you will be dropped. If you leave early, you will be counted absent. Often very important information is stated at the beginning of class; please be on time. I often take attendance at the start of class, so if you are late, make sure you check with me; otherwise you will be counted absent. Students who come in late disrupt the class. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will be counted absent. If you are tardy three times, it equals one absence. If you miss 8 hours of class, you may be dropped. This is only 4 classes, so please make sure you attend regularly. Select three class members to contact in case of your absence. Be sure to update this list as needed.
Name______Phone______E-mail______
Name______Phone______E-mail______
Name______Phone______E-mail______
Other Information:
You are responsible for all assignments handed out and announcements made in class, even if you are absent. In order to improve your reading skills in English, you must take an active role in your own language learning. Homework and assignments from other classes cannot be done in this class. Please speak only English! No talking during tests or quizzes! If you speak during any quizzes/tests, you will be warned once. After your first warning, you must turn your quiz in and receive a 0. All homework and assignments are due before class begins. You must always bring paper, your textbooks, a pen/pencil, and your dictionary to class. Please listen to others while they speak. No headsets, ipods, ear pieces, etc. are allowed in class. Make sure your cell phones and pagers are turned off or silenced during class. No text messaging during class. Disruptions from phones ringing, beepers, pagers or other technological noises are not acceptable in class and will not be tolerated. If you are disrespectful and impolite by talking while someone else is talking, your grade will be lowered. If you have any problems with the class or want to discuss your grade and assignment or anything else, I will be happy to meet with you.
Important Dates:
● September 19: Last day to delete classes without receiving "W" grades
● October 31: Last day to drop classes and receive "W" grades
Suggestions for Success:
Don’t miss class or come to class unprepared! When you prepare, you will get the most out of class lectures and discussions. Read each assignment before it is discussed in class. See me early in the semester if you have any trouble understanding the assignments or other aspects of the course. Form study groups with fellow classmates; don’t wait until the night before to complete your assignments! Work with a tutor on any assignments that are especially difficult. FREE tutoring is available in the ESL Tutoring Center and at the Learning Center. Study and practice grammar points on the computer program, Plato, and take advantage of the proofreading services. Also attend CAS workshops for further learning. All of these services are free and available in the Student Services building. Keep all homework, assignments, tests, quizzes, and papers until the semester is over. Lost assignments are the students’ responsibility.
Accommodations
Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs & Services located at Student Services Building, 1st Floor, Counseling Center (661-395-4334), as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
Academic Integrity Statement:
Plagiarism is using someone else’s work and claiming it as your own. Don’t do this! When writing your summaries and Book Reports, use your own words. If you are using another person or author in your work, cite him/her (attribute the idea to him/her). The penalty for academic dishonesty is an F on the assignment or in the course. For more information, see the BC Catalog, page 31.
Note: This schedule is subject to change.
Week Date Day
August
1 22 M Course Introduction, Syllabus Quiz, Preview texts,
and Student Interviews/Introductions
24 W Traits of Good Readers vs. Poor Readers
Begin Reading Explorer 2 (hereafter referred to as RE)
Unit 1
Review Reading Response Journal
2 29 M Reading Changed My Life! “Why Become a Regular Reader?” (96-97) & “Introduction” (iv~vi) &“Maria
Cardenas” (1-31)
Due: Reading Response Journal (RRJ) #1
RE Unit 1 Test
31 W RE Unit 2
Due: Vocabulary Log #1
September
3 5 M Labor Day Holiday—No Classes
7 W Reading Changed My Life! “Daisy Russell” (35-56)
Due: RRJ #2
RE Unit 2 Test
4 12 M Review “Great Reads” List from BC Library
Bring 3-4 choices to class from list.
RE Unit 3
Due: Vocabulary Log #2
14 W Reading Changed My Life! “Julia Burney” (59-94)
Due: RRJ #3
RE Unit 3 Test
5 19 M RE Unit 4
Due: Vocabulary Log #3
21 W Sign-ups for Book Report Presentations
RE Unit 4 Test
6 26 M RE Unit 5
Due: Vocabulary Log #4
28 W RE Unit 6
RE Unit 5 Test
October
7 3 M RE Unit 6 Test
RE Unit 7
Due: Vocabulary Log #5
5 W Book Report Presentations
8 10 M Book Report Presentations continued
12 W Book Report Presentations continued
9 17 M RE Unit 7
Due: Vocabulary Log #6
19 W Sold pages 1-51
Due: RRJ #1
RE Unit 7 Test
10 24 M RE Unit 8
Due: Vocabulary Log #7
26 W Sold pages 52-101
Due: RRJ #2
RE Unit 8 Test
11 31 M RE Unit 9
Due: Vocabulary Log #8
November
2 W Sold pages 102-152
Due: RRJ #3
RE Unit 9 Test
12 7 M RE Unit 10
Due: Vocabulary Log #9
9 W Sold pages 153-200
Due: RRJ #4
RE Unit 10 Test
13 14 M RE Unit 11
Due: Vocabulary Log #10
16 W Sold pages 153-200
Due: RRJ #5
RE Unit 11 Test
14 21 M RE Unit 12
23 W RE Unit 12 Test
Conclude Sold
15 28 M Film & worksheet Born Into Brothels
30 W Exam on Sold & film
December
16 5 M Final Exam Part I (vocabulary)
7 W Final Exam Part II (textbook)
17 12 M Final Exam III
Example Vocabulary Development Log Remember to add 15+ for 10 weeks!
New Vocabulary Word / Definition / Part of speech / Word Families / Sentence Examples (2 minimum)1. habit / Something you do often or regularly. / noun / habits (plural, noun)
habitual (adjective)
habitually (adverb) / A good habit is drinking 8 glasses of water each day.
Do you have the habit of reviewing your class notes at home?
2. socialize / To interact or spend time with others for fun/relaxation. / verb / social (adj.)
socialized (adj.)
sociology (noun)
society (noun)
socialism (noun) / Teens socialize with their peers in school.
Humans are social creatures.
3. theme / Topic; subject. / noun / Thematic (adj.) / The theme of the movie was romance.
The theme of this chapter is immigration.
4. –15. ↓
Directions
1. Add 15+ words for each Vocabulary Log.
2. Follow the example above to create a chart with 15 + NEW vocabulary words for each specified week.
3. Please note that you must have 15 or more NEW words each week.
4. Use the correct dictionary definition, not your own definition.
5. Complete each box.
6. Create a minimum of 2 sentences. These sentences MUST be in your own words. Do not copy or use dictionary sentences!
7. Edit carefully.
8. All Vocabulary Logs must be typed.
9. You must finish 10 Vocabulary Logs; follow the schedule on the syllabus. You may do more.
10. Vocabulary Logs must be submitted before class starts. No late Vocabulary Logs will be accepted.
Professor Rodacker “Ms. Beth”
Book Report—Directions
1. Choose an interesting book from the BC library’s “Great Reads” list. Your book must be in English and from the “Great Reads” list.
2. Read the book. Next prepare your written Book Report. Write a report of the book. Remember to include WHY you chose your book. What attracted you to the theme/topic and title? Your report must be in your own words. Please do not copy. Include enough information to encourage the audience to read the book. Be sure to include the following: Author, Title, Summary, Setting, Main Characters, Events/Conflicts, and Conclusion etc.
3. Choose 20-25 new vocabulary words/phrases and define them for the class. Make copies for your classmates. Suggestion: Add these words to your Vocabulary Log.