Prerequisites:    none

Course Text:        none

Credit Hours:    none

Official Course Description:     RDG 010

Designed to improve reading comprehension skills and vocabulary with narrative and expository materials and to develop an appreciation of narrative writing through individualized and/or group instruction and practice reading.

Official Course Description:     RDG 020

Designed to improve proficiency in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills and to prepare students for college reading through individualized and/or group instruction and practice.

Official Course Description:     RDG 030

Designed to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary of expository reading materials by improving the student’s vocabulary and comprehension process.  Strategies taught in course are applied to college level reading materials.

Course Objective:     The primary goal of the Developmental Reading Class Sequence is to elevate each student’s reading to a minimum 12.0 grade equivalent.  Before a student can receive an Associate Degree from Ashland Community College, he or she must demonstrate this 12.0 reading proficiency.  This proficiency may be demonstrated by achieving this score on the ACT COMPASS test or the Nelson/Denny Reading Test or by completing RDG 030 with a grade of A or B.

Course Requirements:     Each student will be placed in PLATO and Ultimate Speed Reader according to the assessment.  To exit the class the student must complete the assigned material in PLATO and 100 lessons in THE ULTIMATE SPEED READER  It is possible, through great effort, to complete the reading sequence in this class.  In other words, a student who tests in this class at the 8^th grade level, will be put into PLATO at that level and given course work to complete to get to the 10^th grade level.  That student can continue working and complete 12^th grade material.  See Reading Workshop for more requirements.

Required Texts and Materials:  None

Grading Policies:     Complete 90% assigned work, A; complete 80% assigned work, B; complete 70% assigned work, C; complete less that 70%, no pass.     

Attendance Policy:  None, BUT OF COURSE YOU WILL NOT PASS UNLESS YOU COMPLETE YOUR WORK.  DO THE MATH.

READING WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP

The purpose of reading workshop is to help you make reading a regular part of your life.  The more you read, the better you read.  The only way to improve your reading is to read a lot.  What you read does not have to be hard, boring, or deep.  It is the practice you rack up that counts.  Therefore, I want you to choose a book to read that is fun, holds your interest, and you can get through quickly.  The thing about reading is that you never "peak."  The more you read, the more years you spend reading, the better you get.  There really are no shortcuts; it just takes practice, and I want you to find great books that make practice pleasant.

You will begin this unit by choosing a book to read and bringing it to class (beginning next class period) for use during this unit.  For the first 20 minutes of each class, you will either read your book or write literary letters.  The rest of the class you will work on your assigned programs, PLATO and Speed Reader.

LITERARY LETTERS

Literary letters provide a way for you to discuss what you have been reading with me.  You will write letters to me, and I will write back to you.

These literary letters are not book reports, so I do not want you to write lengthy plot summaries.  I just want you to tell me about your book and your reading, in general.  Here are the guidelines:

1. During this unit, you will write an email letter to me after you have finished reading the first 50 pages (approximately).
2. When you have read approximately one-half the book, write another email to me.
3. When you are finished (or almost finished) with your book, write another email to me
4. You will have written three email letters by the end of the workshop unit.
5. You must send the letters via email.

WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION

For each day you attend class and follow the guidelines listed below, you will receive 10 points.  If you miss class or fail to participate, you will not get credit for that day.  Each literary letter is worth up to 25 points.  Here is the deal:

1. You must read or write literary letters for the entire assigned period.

2. You cannot do homework or read material for another course.

3. You must read from a book or magazine.

4. You may not talk or disturb others.

Student Log for_______________________

This must be turned in at midterm and at final

READING WORKSHOP

Name of Novel and Author                               Date of Literary Letters

PLATO

SPEED READER

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