Level 5-6 Reading and Writing Class
Instructor: Helen Hoyt Schmidt
Office: 108A Landscape Architecture Office phone: 294-3235
Office hours: M-F 2-3 or by appointment
Textbooks: Mosaic 2 Reading Silver Edition by Brenda Wegmann and Miki Knezevic
Sourcework - Academic Writing from Sources by Nancy Dollahite and Julie Haun
Course goals:
We will use Mosaic 2, Sourcework, the Internet, and other materials to help you learn to think in English, increase your vocabulary, increase your reading speed, learn to research and write academic papers, and help you prepare to study in a U.S. university.
Reading skills goals:
• Identify main ideas and supporting details
• Identify implied ideas and restatements
• skim and scan for main ideas, details, and specific information
• separate fact from fiction
• identify organization patterns
• Outline reading passages
• Summarize and paraphrase
• Preview and Predict
• Support ideas with information from reading
• Increase vocabulary
• Increase reading speed
Writing goals:
• Create and use a research question
• Create and expand an outline for a research paper
• Research and write a well organized research paper including an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Use summarizing and paraphrasing to support your opinion
• Understand plagiarism and its consequences
• Document your paper
• Synthesis of reading and lecture information to answer a written question.
• Improve paragraph and essay formatting, punctuation, spelling & capitalization
Evaluation Procedures
Example Progress Report
Component |
Unweighted |
Weight |
Weighted |
Participation |
85% |
x .33 |
28.05% |
Homework and Preparation |
80% |
x .33 |
26.4% |
Tests/ Papers |
95% |
x .33 |
31.35% |
Overall Coursework |
|
|
85.8% |
• To receive an attendance certificate, attend class regularly. You must attend at least 90% of each class.
• To pass the course, you must have
75% attendance
70% Overall Coursework Percentage
WARNING! If you have less than 75% attendance in any one of your classes, you will receive an automatic F for that class (English 10). This F will remain forever on your permanent record at ISU (transcript). You may also have serious problems with your visa.
In addition, you will receive an F if you average below 70% in Overall Coursework. Please discuss it with your teacher if you have low attendance or below 70% average in your class work.
The Grading System:
1. Tests, and Writing Assignments % are averaged and then multiplied by .33
2. Homework and Preparation % are averaged and then multiplied by .33
3. Participation in class activities and completion of WebCT Assignments in lab (score of 0 - 100% every week) averaged and then multiplied by .33
The addition of the results of 1,2, & 3 above =Your Grade (70% = passing grade)
Classroom Policies:
• Late Papers and homework: All papers and homework must be submitted on the due date unless you have permission of the instructor. No papers will be accepted later than one day after the due date.
• Lateness: You will be counted absent if you are more than 10 minutes late.
• Cultural awareness: Your class has people from many different cultures and backgrounds. You will probably learn some interesting information about other cultures. Please show respect to your classmates and your teachers and their beliefs, values and traditions.
• English-only: Speak only English in the classroom - and outside too! Remember - if you want to learn English, you have to use it as much as you can. Listen carefully to the teacher and the other students. You can learn from everyone.
• Ask questions when you do not understand something. Ask the teacher for help when you need it.
Finally, welcome to our class. I am sure we will have a wonderful semester!