REA 0001 SYLLABUS

COLLEGE PREP READING 1

Reference # 611158
MWF 9-9:50am
Instructor: Maribel Guenaga-Gonzalez
Miami Dade College – InterAmerican Campus
Spring 2011 (2010-2)
Phone: 786-991-2269
Email: maribel.g.gonzalez@gmail.com
Website: learning.imaginationfederation.org

COURSE DESCRIPTION

REA 0001 is a college preparatory reading course aimed at developing

effective reading skills. It is specially designed to build vocabulary, literal and
critical comprehension skills, and successful reading strategies. Lab
required. Special fee. 4 credits

Pre-requisites: Computerized Placement Test (CPT) Reading subtest

score of 26-50.

COURSE COMPETENCIES: This course is designed for you to

achieve the following competencies:

Competency 1: Build vocabulary skills by:

a. Using context clues and word analysis (using prefixes, suffixes, and
roots) to define words
b. Increasing word knowledge through memorization and application

Competency 2: Build literal comprehension skills by:

a. Recognizing topics,topic sentences, and stated main ideas

b. Identifying major and minor supporting details
c. Recognizing patterns of organization

Competency 3: Build critical comprehension skills by:

a. Making inferences
b. Drawing conclusions
c. Recognizing implied main ideas

Competency 4: Build successful reading strategies by:

a. Paraphrasing materials
b. Following oral and written directions
c. Summarizing materials
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Lab program: myreadinglab.com (purchase online)
Your Course ID is Guenaga-Gonzalez903810R
Novel: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins**

**You can purchase the book at a local bookstore or online. If

you purchase it online, be aware of the time it takes for you to
receive the book. We will be starting to read the book next
week.

Notebook: Choose a notebook that calls out creativity. Besides looking at

the cover of the notebooks, you may want to look at the pages. Do
you like to write on lines? Do you prefer to have blank pages?
Take your time in choosing one. (You will use the notebook only for
this class. Avoid purchasing a 3-ring binder.)

Assessment sheets: 10 scantron sheets (purchase first week at

InterAmerican Campus’ bookstore)

EXPECTATIONS

You are responsible for meeting the requirements of this syllabus. Some
additional expectations may develop throughout the semester; therefore, we
all need to collaborate to see it through.

RESPECT

We will be discussing some sensitive and controversial issues during this

semester so it is imperative that individual opinions be respected. While your
classmates are voicing their opinions, please listen and be considerate at all
times. Always be respectful even though you do not agree with them.

CLASS PARTICIPATION
It is important for you, your classmates, and me to create an environment
where there are ongoing stimulating conversations about the readings and
writings we encounter. Your responsibility in this class is not only to be a
reader, but also a writer, a listener, and a responder. To see that everyone
plays each role, you will need to complete the assignments by their due date
which will be posted on the website. Come to class prepared with all
materials. Failure to do so may result in being asked to leave class and
marked as absent for that class meeting. Time is of essence so please arrive
on time.

When in class, please remember to turn off all cell phones as they turn
attention away from learning. If by some unexpected event your cell phone
does ring, you are to make up for that interrupted moment by bringing in
some treats for the class on our next meeting.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is required everyday. There will be activities and classroom

interactions that are invaluable and cannot be made-up; therefore,
attendance is essential. In the event of an absence, you are responsible for
obtaining class notes, information, and sending in your work via e-mail or
with a classmate. More than five cumulative absences from a MWF class may
result in an instructor withdraw without notification. If you have more than
three consecutive unexcused absences, you may be dropped from the course
without any notification as well. Constant tardiness and leaving early will be
counted as absences. Once you have been late to class two times, your
tardiness will be marked as an absence.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

If you are unable to continue in this course, you must fill out an official
withdrawal form with the registrar’s office. If you do not officially withdraw,
you may receive a “U” in the course.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all qualified
students enrolled in this course are entitled to reasonable accommodations. If
you feel you may need accommodations in this course, please notify me and
also contact ACCESS (A Comprehensive Center for Exceptional Student
Services) as soon as the semester begins so that you may receive assistance
early on.

Course Evaluation
 Reader’s Notebook……………………………………
35%
 Tests…………………………………………………….30
%
 Quizzes/Projects/Presentations……………………..2
5%
 Service-Learning…6-10
hrs………………………….10%
  Reading Lab…………………………………………….All

READER’S NOTEBOOK
(35%)
In your Reader’s Notebook you will brainstorm topics, play with ideas, reflect
on your readings, keep notes, draw, paste in artifacts, prepare skits, chart
your progress, raise questions, and jot down thoughts and dreams. The
purpose is to explore your thinking and engage more deeply with the
readings and what is going on around you. My hope is that the use of the
notebook will deepen and enhance both the reading and writing you'll do
during and beyond the weeks we are together. It is essential that you
bring your notebook to class every time. I will collect the Reader’s
Notebook on assigned dates.

*TESTS (30%)

There will be a variety of tests throughout the semester. Some will be based
on the skills found in the course competencies. In order to be eligible to
take the skills test, you must complete the reading lab assignments
for the corresponding skill/s the day before the exam. Other tests
may cover the readings from the memoir, presentations, poems, vocabulary,
and articles. If you cannot attend a scheduled test, please contact me on or
before the date of the test so that we can work something out. Otherwise,
there are no make-up tests.

If you have a 90% average prior to the final exam and all errands and all lab
assignments are completed, you are exempt from taking the final exam.

*QUIZZES/PROJECTS/PRESENTATIONS
(25%)

Several quizzes will be administered during the semester. Some will be

announced while others will be unannounced. Make-ups for quizzes may be
rescheduled only due to an emergency or if you contact me before our class
meets on the date of the quiz.

Also during the semester, there will be several presentations and projects.
Some will be done individually while the others will be done collaboratively.

*You are expected to follow the College’s Academic Honesty Policy. Cheating
and “borrowing” other students’ work will not be accepted and will result in a
zero on that exam or assignment.

SERVICE-LEARNING (6-10 hrs.& final project)

(10%)

Service-learning is a hands-on experience that goes beyond what is learned

and experienced in the classroom. This semester you will have the
opportunity to experience several types of service-learning projects lead by
professors from other campuses. These will be posted on our website.

READING LAB
(ALL)
Lab assignments are an integral part of this course as they enhance the
learning of the course’s skills. They are also required to pass this course.
Your goal is to complete all lab assignments to the best of your
ability and attain a score of 70% or higher on both the Practice Sets
and Test Sets. If some of your scores are below 70%, it may not be
considered acceptable and you will be asked to complete an assignment
before continuing. Be aware that all lab assignments will have a due date. If
the assignments are not completed by the due date, you will be
unable to take the Unit Test for those particular skills. Again, please
note that all lab assignments are required to be completed in order to pass
this course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this semester, you will have been exposed to several of Miami
Dade College’s General Education Core Learning Outcomes and as a
graduate of Miami Dade College be able to:

1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and

writing skills.
2. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical
data.
3. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific
reasoning.
4. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and
historical perspectives.
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social
responsibilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues
in society.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10.Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of
humans on the environment.

GRADING POLICY

 A = 90% - 100%
 B = 80% - 89%
 C = 70% - 79%
 D = 60% - 69%
 F = 59% or less

FINAL GRADE

 S (Satisfactory): Pass the course with at least a 70% average (C) and
meet all lab requirements. (Register for REA0002)
 P (Progress): Receive a score between 60% - 69% and/or not meet all
lab requirements (Retake REA0001)
 U (Unsatisfactory): Receive a score below 60% and/or not meet all lab
requirements (Retake REA0001)
 (NOTE: A “U” is equivalent to an “F” in calculating the grade point
average.)
  W (Withdraw): Retake REA 0001

IMPORTANT DATES

 Last day to drop classes and receive refund: Monday, January 10, 2011
 Last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of W: Wednesday,
March 16, 2011
 Last day of classes: Friday, April 22, 2011
 Finals Week: Saturday, April 23 – Friday, April 29, 2011
 Holidays – Classes will not meet on the following dates:
o Monday, January 17, 2011
o Monday, February 21, 2011
o Friday, April 22, 2011

I encourage you to meet with me as many times as you

may like to discuss any needs, questions, goals, or
anything related to your learning and progress during the
semester.