ACDV B61: Accelerated Reading

ACDV B61: Accelerated Reading

Bakersfield College, Fall 2016

Instructor: Jessica Wojtysiak

Office:SS 123

Office Hours:T 9:30-11:00 am, W 7:40-8:10 pm, R 10:30 am-1:30 pm, & by appointment

Phone:661395-4464

Text: 661 619-8242

Email:

Course Website:

CRN 70046MW1:00 – 3:05 p.m. in SS 122CRN70052MW 5:30 p.m. - 7:35 p.m. in SS 128

(Note: All B61 classes will periodically meet in SS3 computer lab- See Course Schedule for details)

Welcome to ACDV B61 Accelerated Reading! In this course, you will have an opportunity to increase your reading speed and comprehension and practice effective study strategies. You will learn how to tackle complicated textbook chapters, prepare for exams, figure out unfamiliar words without using a dictionary, and conduct collegeappropriate research using our library's campus and online resources. You will also improve your critical thinking skills by analyzing expository (non-fiction) texts and persuasive texts. This will be a busy and productive semester, so please ask me lots of questions. I am here to support your academic career at BC and beyond.

Catalog Description

Prerequisites: Reading - two levels prior to transfer or ENSL B61/ EMLS B71

Recommended: ACDV B201A, ACDV B201B, and writing three levels prior to transfer

Description: This course is recommended for students who place at Reading Level 3 or 4 who need to improve academic vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, research skills, and reading flexibility with college level material. Students who successfully pass this course will have fulfilled the reading competency requirement for graduation.

Note: Not open to students with credit in ACDV B62 or ENSL B51 or EMLS B61

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO's)

Choose the main idea, supporting details, and organizational patterns of a passage or essay in various genres, with an emphasis on expository text.
Differentiate among literal, inferential, and critical levels of reading comprehension.
Create at least three methods of output to facilitate retention of the main idea and supporting details (e.g., annotation, outline, mapping, mnemonics).
Evaluate and synthesize four or more research sources, including scholarly periodicals, and compose a research project in Modern Language Association (MLA) format.
Differentiate among different types of context clues to denote the meaning of unknown vocabulary.

Required Texts & Materials

True Notebooks by SalzmanISBN: 9780375727610 ($7.20 - $15.95)
Big Thirst by Fishman ISBN: 9781439102084 ($7.65 - $17)
Pearson Custom Mercury Reader - Cason ISBN: 9781323344088
AcDv B61 Course Handout Packet - Available free at professor’s website
Notebook or Journal
Folder
At least 2 different colored pens
At least 2 different colored highlighters
Computer with Internet Access
USB Drive (Recommended)

Attendance and Drop Policy

Because mastering skills in reading requires regular, sustained effort, you must attend classes regularly and punctually. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class every day.

You cannot make up in-class activities, but you are responsible for what you missed.If you are absent, I strongly recommend visiting me during office hours as soon as possible to avoid falling behind.

Students who are absent 4 or more times for any reason may be dropped. Being tardy or leaving class early counts as a half absence. Missing more than 30 minutes of class counts as an absence. Contact me regarding extenuating circumstances.

Students who are on the waitlist may not miss any class meetings. Being on a waiting list does not guarantee you a place in the class. It simply means you are welcome to wait for an opening in the class if you so desire. If no one drops out of the course, then no students can add.As a result, you should be aware of the last day to add and have a back-up choice if you need another class.

Students are responsible for dropping the class if they are unable to complete it.

Important Dates for Fall 2016:

Aug 22: Instruction begins (Monday Classes)

Sept 5: Last day for refunds for semester-length classes

Sept 5: Last day to drop from semester-length classes without receiving a "W"

Sept. 5: Labor Day Holiday – BC Campus is closed

Oct. 21: Last day to withdraw from semester-length classes and receive "W" grade

Nov. 11: Veterans’ Day Holiday – BC Campus is closed

Nov. 24 & 25: Thanksgiving Holidays – BC Campus is closed

Dec. 3-9: Final Examinations

Dec. 10: End of Fall Semester

Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities needing accommodation should make requests to Disabled Students Programs and Services, SS 40 (661 395 4334). All requests for accommodations require appropriate advance notice to avoid a delay in services. Please discuss approved accommodations with me as early

as possible in the semester so we can work together to enable your academic success.

Classroom Policies

Please silence cell phones during class.
Academic honesty is a critical requirement for success. All work turned in must be your own. Do not plagiarize. Cheating automatically results in the grade of zero for the assignment and likely referral to the Dean of Students.
No food or drink (except water bottles) in class.

Turnitin.com Requirement

Turnitin.com is a tool to help you avoid plagiarism and improve your writing. To use turnitin.com, you will need to register on the site and set up a password. Once this is done, you then will need to create a “user profile” specifically for this class and any others that may use the site. You will need the

following information to set up your user profile:

For CRN 70046(MW 1:00 – 3:15 p.m.):

Class ID: 13164925

Class Enrollment Password: 70046

For CRN 70052(MW 5:30 p.m. - 7:35 p.m.):

Class ID: 13164938

Class Enrollment Password: 70052

After creating a profile, students may use the site.

Note: In this course, you are required to submit your research papers to Turnitin.com for grading. I will not accept or grade hard copy alternatives.
Grades

A / B / C / D / F
90%-100% / 80%-89.9% / 70%-79.9% / 60%-69.9% / Below 60%

Participation - 10%

Come to class with prepared homework
Complete in-class activities, including Big Thirst Reading Quiz and Group Presentation

Reading Journal - 30%

Short entries based upon course readings and discussions
Summaries, graphic organizers, personal notes, and reflections

Contemporary Issues Research Project - 20%

Research paper dealing with a controversial issue
Locate, evaluate, read critically, and correctly document multiple sources

Challenged Book Research Project - 25%

Read a challenged book
Research the history of the banned book
Critically evaluate the arguments supporting and opposing a ban

Challenged Book Presentation - 5%

A presentation discussing the challenged book project
Discuss setting, summary, characters, challenge history, evaluating reasons for and against the ban, possible mitigating circumstances, lessons learned

Final Examination - 10%

Missed Assignments, Quizzes, and/or Exams Policy

Assignments are due at the beginning of class. You should have your assignment in hand and ready to turn in when class begins (or, if required, uploaded to Turnitin.com by the start of class on the day of the deadline).

If homework is not ready by the deadline, it will be considered late and 50% of the points possible will be deducted from your grade. However, I will provide you with two "No Questions Asked" coupons which you may use for any out of class assignment. These coupons will allow you to turn in up to two assignments one class period late at no penalty. Presentations are not eligible for coupon use.

I strongly urge you to communicate with me as soon as possible if you experience any trouble meeting the course deadlines.

I need help! What do I do?

Come see me during office hours -I want to help!
Make an appointment at the Writing Center (SS 133, 395-4735) or the Tutoring Center (SS 203, 395-4430).
Attend workshops. The BC Library, Writing Center, and Critical Academic Skills (CAS) all offer focused workshops.
Develop Habits of Mind.

This is what the good guys do.

They keep trying.

They don't give up.

---Cormac McCarthy's The Road

Habits of Mind

How will you succeed at BC this semester? What determines success is not circumstance, but habit. Habits of Mind, It’s POSSIBLE at BC has many free tools intended to help you accomplish your goals in school. Only you can overcome the challenges you face this semester and in life. Start out successfully with these steps:

• Visit the Habits of Mind website: .

• Download the app for Habits of Mind at Bakersfield College for power in your palm.

• Ask for help, do the work, and refuse to quit.

Success takes energy, planning, and strategies for both the expected challenges in school as well as the unexpected twists life can take. Now is the time to develop new habits that will lead to success.

This coupon entitles you to turn in one assignment one class day late

NO QUESTIONS ASKED

Your Name: ______

Date: ______

Class Name, Section, & Time:______

Name of the Assignment:______