READING IMPROVEMENT OUTLINE
Textbooks:
TEN STEPS TO IMPROVING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
by John Langan
TWO OLD WOMEN
by Velma Wallis
THE BEDFORD/ST. MARTIN’S TEXTBOOK READER
(This book is on reserve in the Learning Center)
WEEK l: _____ Read pages 3-l8 in textbook.
_____ Begin reading the required novel and complete the response journal as
you read. See “Response Journal Information Sheet.”
_____ Consult LC Instructor about the Nelson-Denny Assessment.
WEEK 2: _____ Read and complete textbook “Units l and 2.”
Completing each textbook unit includes: reading the chapter, taking chapter notes, getting the notes approved by Learning Center staff, completing Mastery Tests 4, 5, and 6 in the textbook and completing the unit test in the Assessment Center. In order to pass the unit tests, an 80% or better is required. The textbook consists of 10 units and all the units are done in this way. After the ten textbook units, there is also a combined skills test.
WEEK 3: _____ Read and complete textbook “Unit 3” as described above.
_____ Continue reading the novel and writing the response journal.
_____ Complete the USR pretest and one USR series.
WEEK 4: _____ Read and complete textbook “Unit 4.”
_____ Continue reading TWO OLD WOMEN and writing the response
journal. Complete one or two USR Series.
WEEK 5: _____ Read and complete textbook “Unit 5.”
_____ Complete one or two USR series.
_____ Continue work on the required novel.
WEEK 6: _____ Read and complete textbook “Unit 6.”
_____ Complete one or two USR series.
_____ Continue work on the novel.
WEEK 7: _____ Read and complete textbook “Unit 7.”
_____ Complete one or two USR series.
_____ Continue to work on the novel.
WEEK 8: _____ Read and complete textbook “Unit 8.”
_____ Complete one or two USR series.
_____ The required novel, TWO OLD WOMEN, and its response journal
should be completed by this point.
_____ If you are working for an “A” grade in the course, please consult
with your Learning Center instructor to select your second novel, which also must have a corresponding response journal.
WEEK 9: _____ Read and complete textbook “Unit 9.” Complete one or two USR
series.
_____ Begin or continue reading your second novel and writing its
response journal.
WEEK 10: _____ Read and complete textbook “Unit l0.” Complete one or two USR
series.
_____ Continue to work on the second novel.
WEEK 11: _____ Read and take notes on the following sections in your textbook:
· “Propaganda” – beginning on page 545.
· “More About Argument: Errors in Reasoning” – beginning on page 571.
There are no practice tests required for these two sections but the notes must be approved. This information will be on the Combined Skills test.
_____ Complete 3 of the combined skills practice tests in the textbook.
_____ Take the Combined Skills test in the Assessment Center.
_____ Complete one or two “Selected Readings” which are on pages 415-510 in
the textbook.
_____ Complete two readings if you are going for an “A,” one if you are going for
a “B.” Speak with a Learning Center Instructor about which readings you should complete.
_____ Complete one or two USR series.
_____ Continue to work on the second novel.
WEEK 12: _____ Consult with a Learning Center instructor about work to be completed in
THE BEDFORD/ST. MARTIN’S TEXTBOOK READER.
_____ Complete one or two more “Selected Readings.” Complete two additional
readings for an “A” and one additional reading to receive a “B.”
_____ Complete one or two USR series.
_____ Continue to work on the second novel.
WEEK 13: _____ Continue to work in the BEDFORD TEXTBOOK READER.
_____ Complete one or two USR series. Continue to work on the second novel.
WEEK 14: _____ Continue to work in the BEDFORD TEXTBOOK READER.
_____ Complete one or two USR series. Continue to work on the second novel.
WEEK 15: _____ Complete any unfinished required coursework.
_____ Turn in portfolio.
WEEK 16: _____ Complete the Nelson-Denny Post Assessment.
08/16/04