Texts and Materials:
*Ten Steps to Improving College Reading Skills, Fourth Edition
*Index cards
*Pocket folder with loose leaf paper for reading journal

Course Content:
Developmental Reading stresses basic reading comprehension of various writing patterns. The main emphasis is total reading comprehension and retention of information read. Techniques for getting the most out of reading assignments will be addressed as well as the development and implementation of critical thinking skills. Students will start at Chapter 1 in the required text, building vocabulary and vocabulary skills, working through finding key ideas in sentences, paragraphs, and essays. Students will then work on finding major and minor details in selections and on critical thinking skills.

Goals:
To promote strong reading habits
To help students get basic comprehension from reading assignments
To help students better understand and to remember what they have read
To develop critical thinking skills

Course Requirements:
Numerous chapter quizzes will be assigned following the completion of each chapter in the assigned textbook. In addition, each student will be expected to complete various out-of-class reading assignments and will report on these out-of-class assignments by keeping a reading journal that will be handed in at the end of the term. Also, each student is expected to keep an ongoing vocabulary list compiled on index cards. At the end of the semester, each student is expected to hand in twenty index cards, each with a vocabulary word and definition. A midterm and a final will also be given. 

Method of Evaluation:
Grading breakdown:

Vocabulary list, journal, chapter quizzes . . . . . . . . . 20%
Midterm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40%
Final exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40%
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100%

Note: This percentage is for my grade for the class, which will count for 50% of your entire course grade. The other 50% of the course grade, as mandated by state regulations, will come from a statewide exit exam.

Attendance:
More than three (3) absences will automatically result in a failing grade for this class.

Disabilities:
It is the responsibility of students who have professionally diagnosed disabilities to notify the instructor so that necessary and appropriate modifications can be made to meet any special learning needs.

Cell Phones
Please be considerate of your classmates and of the instructor by turning off all cell phones before entering class. If there is a special circumstance, please notify me in advance.

Important Dates:
June 14 – Last day to drop a course without receiving a grade of WP/WF
July 7 – Last day a course may be dropped
July 26 – Last day to withdraw from the university

Course Breakdown:
Introduction 1: How to Become a Better Reader and Thinker
Part 1, Chapter 1: Vocabulary in Context
Chapter 2: Main Ideas
Chapter 3: Supporting Details
Chapter 4: Implied Main Ideas and the Central Point

Part 1, Chapter 5: Relationships I
Chapter 6: Relationships II
Chapter 7: Fact and Opinion
Chapter 8: Inferences
Chapter 9: Purpose and Tone
Chapter 10: Argument
Part II, Selected Readings