Supplement for the Regents’ Reading Skills

0198 Syllabus

 

Instructor: Connie Frank

E-mail Address: conniefrank@mail.clayton.edu

Classroom: G-211 Arts & Sciences building

 

Course No. 86553 Sec. 02 MW Time 5:00-6:15 pm

Course No. 86554 Sec. 03 MW Time 6:30-7:45 pm

             Course No. 87582 Sec 09   TT   Time 8:00-9:15 pm

Office and Office Hours:  A&S 116 MW 4:00-5:00 pm  TT 7:00-8:00

Web Page Site:  http://a-s.clayton.edu/cfrank/homepage.htm

 

Phone: (678)-466-4735 or 678-466-4357 Literature and Language Arts Office

             (678)-466-4081 (Library)

WebCT: Active-Ready to View http://www.clayton.edu  Go to WebCT Vista.

 

Goals:

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To help students identify and correct reading and reading-related problems which interfere with efficient reading.

 

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To help students prepare for and pass the Regents’ Reading Test.

Objectives:

    Students will develop proficiency in the following skills:

 

 

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Vocabulary

 

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Literal Comprehension

 

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Inferential Comprehension

 

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Analysis Skills/Critical Comprehension

 

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Test Taking

 

Class Overview:

 

The Regents’ 0198 Reading class is designed to assist our students who have been unsuccessful in passing the Regents’ Test since they have not scored the minimum 61 required. The exam covers four distinct categories, so this class will address those specific areas which encompass Vocabulary, Literal Comprehension, Inferential Comprehension, and Analysis. Students are allowed only 60 minutes to read all of the test’s ten passages and answer the 60 multiple choice questions, so it is extremely important that this course prepare you to read for key words and concepts rather than read each and every word in a selection. The primary objective in 0198 is to isolate your weakest skill areas and design learning strategies that will help you improve these areas of reading.

 

Course Materials:

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Required Textbook:

Ten Steps to Advancing Reading by John Langan (Must have at each class)

 

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Recommended Textbook:

Strategies for Passing the Georgia Regents’ Exam

 

 

 

(on reserve in the library)

 

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A computer available

 

 

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A CSU e-mail address

 

 

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A good paperback dictionary

 

 

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A notebook or folder

to which paper can be added (No spiral notebooks)

 

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Pens for all work

which is handed in (that is not typed or word-processed)

 

 

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Roget's Dictionary and Thesaurus is found here http://education.yahoo.com/reference/thesaurus/.

 

Academic Honesty:

The policies of Clayton State University are to be followed and adhered to at all times. Group work will be encouraged, but individuals are responsible for their own work. The typical penalty for plagiarism is an

F on the assignment.

 

 

 

 

Activities:

Due to the fact that reading skills vary greatly within a Regents’ Reading Test class, many requirements are individualized to meet a student’s specific needs. Whole-class, small-group and individualized activities are used in combination to prepare students to pass the Regents’ Reading Test. Activities include the following:

 

 

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Diagnostic tests and three post-tests to determine eligibility for the test.

 

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Readings and exercises from the text and additional sources.

 

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Computer-based instruction and practice.

 

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Audio-and visual-assisted skill builders.

 

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Vocabulary development and/or rate building.

 

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Practice Regents’ Reading tests.

 

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Tests and quizzes.

 

Assignments:

 

 

Assignments are due at the beginning of class. You will be required to keep an assignment sheet which will be given to you by your instructor. You must maintain a “C” average in the class in order to be certified at the end of the course. Missed assignments are due the next class you attend, but you will be penalized because they will be considered late. See Due Dates.

 

 

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Notebook: A neat, organized notebook or folder must be maintained throughout the course. All assignments must be in order in the notebook. Notebook turned in will not be returned. The notebook is required to be turned in if you want to be authorized to take the Regents Test. The notebook must be brought to each class.

 

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Textbook Assignments: Assignments are given for most class periods, and this material must be completed prior to the beginning of class. There will be in-class tests, which may or may not be announced. If you are tardy and a quiz/test is in progress, you may begin when you arrive, but you will not be given extra time to complete the quiz.

 

Certification Requirements:

To be eligible to take the Regents’ Reading Test, a student must be certified by the instructor and receive an admission card. To qualify for certification, a student must do the following:

 

 

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Maintain an average of “C” on all teacher-made quizzes and tests.

 

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Receive a passing score on two of the three standardized tests which are given during the last few days of the class.

 

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Document a minimum combined total of fifty hours of class and lab time.

 

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Attend ALL classes or make-up a missed class by the next class. Typically absences must be made up with the assignments completed on campus.

 

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Complete ALL assigned activities by the due date. All work must be completed by Monday, October 22, 2008.

 

Grades:

If you receive a passing score of 61 or higher and complete assignments on time, you will receive an “S”. A non-passing score will be assigned a “U”.

 

Center for Academic Assistance:

The CAA is located on the bottom floor of the library. Become acquainted with the learning resources such as Skills Bank, Accelerated Learning System, and the tutoring classes. You are strongly encouraged to spend as much time as possible using the resources available in the Center. All students desiring to use the Center must have a referral form or note from the instructor.

 

Regents’ Prep Session in the CAA:

Prep sessions are offered each semester in the CAA Lab (located on the lower floor of the library). Prior sign up is not required. Contact Sharon Long in the Testing Center or Kelly Taylor in the CAA for more information.

 

Computer Policy:

Success demands a basic level of computer skills. You must be able to send and receive E-mails, have a basic understanding of word processing, be able to access and use the Internet, and have a basic understanding of file management. Seek assistance on this from Student Software Support Services (SSSS) located on the lower floor of the Library in the CAA. Information concerning software can be obtained from the HUB/SSSS website (http://thehub.clayton.edu/hubcal.php). Effective Fall 2001, every Clayton student has attested to having ready access to a laptop (notebook) computer to bring to class when required. Regents’ Reading Skills 0198 instructors will indicate the dates on which students will be required to bring their laptop computers to class or provide E-mail notice at least one week in advance of any such dates.

 

Key Dates:

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Classes begin Monday, August 18, 2008

 

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Sign Up For Regents Exam during first two weeks of class in the Testing Center.  Testing dates are October 22-November 4.  Reports on the results of your test should be back around December 5.

 

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September 1 Labor Day and September 2 Faculty Development Day

– No Class on these dates

 

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Last Day of Class October 20, 2008 (Grades should be posted on that evening.)

 

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Regents Notebooks are due October 20, 2008

 

Special Accommodations Requests:

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator in the Student Center

 

Room 214, or Call 770-961-3719.