Guided Studies & Developmental Reading
Northeast College
GUST 0339 – Introduction to Reading
CRN 77826 – Semester Spring 2012
3 hour lecture /1hour lab course / 64 hours per semester/ 16 weeks
Class Time: Monday/Wednesday 1-3 PM
Location: Northline Room 206 (Monday)
Room 418 (Wednesday)
Instructor: Rajone Lyman
Instructor Contact Information: rajone.lyman@hccs.edu
713-718-2414
Office location and hours Monday/Wednesday 11-1 and Tuesday 7-9am (by request)
Please feel free to contact me concerning any problems that you are experiencing in this course.
You do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking for my assistance.
Your performance in my class is very important to me. I am available to hear your concerns and
just to discuss course topics. Feel free to come by my office anytime during these hours.
Course Description
Credit: 3 Credits (3 lecture & 1 lab)
A basic reading course for non-native English speakers designed to improve students’ overall
reading skills. Emphasis on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, study techniques,
and critical reading. Classroom instruction is enhanced by a variety of self-paced activities.
Prerequisites
Must be placed into GUST 0339 (or higher) in reading.
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will
1. Demonstrate mastery of vocabulary by:
1.1 using context clues to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words or phrases.
1.2 using word parts (prefixes, root/base words and suffixes) to determine the meanings
of unfamiliar words or phrases.
2. Improve literal comprehension by:
2.1 Identifying stated and implied main ideas
2.2 Identifying ideas that support or illustrate the main idea (major & minor details).
2.3 Evaluating the relationship among ideas in text material via patterns of organization.
2.4 Summarize in writing and orally a reading selection or Condensing information
through summary.
2.5 Understanding and interpreting data in graphs, diagrams, charts, and tables.
3. Demonstrate mastery of critical reading skills by:
3.1 Distinguishing between statements of fact and opinion.
3.2 Formulating valid inferences through stated or implied textual evidence.
3.3 Identifying an author’s purpose for writing a text.
3.4 Assessing textual evidence to determine the author’s tone.
3.5 Evaluating the logic of a writer’s argument.
4. Improve time management, study and test-taking skills by:
4.1 applying note taking, annotating & outlining strategies to a variety of texts.
4.2 Completing an individual study plan utilizing online components for learning
enhancement.
4.3 Integrating test question knowledge and comprehension strategies to interpret test
questions.
4.4 Organizing and summarizing information purposes.
4.5 Organizing and summarizing information for presentation.
Course Student Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, student will have learned how to:
1. Add vocabulary
2. Understand the different parts of a paragraph.
3. Identify relationships between various elements of reading material
4. Apply reading skills to reading selections
Learning Objectives:
Based on the stated student learning outcomes, students will be able to:
1.1. Understand how to use a dictionary to add vocabulary.
1.2. Understand how to comprehend the meaning of words in context by using context clues.
1.1. Understand the nature of main ideas.
1.2. Identify the main ideas in different parts of paragraphs.
1.3. Distinguish implied main ideas.
1.4. Understand the nature of supporting details.
1.5. Identify major details.
1.6. Identify transitions.
1.7. Identify patterns of organization.
1.8. Extrapolate inferences.
1.1. Identify relationships in a reading selection.
1.1. Recall relevant information read in a textbook.
1.2. Develop retention reading skills.
Week 1: Jan. 18
Tentative Schedule
(Subject to change according to class needs.)
Course overview
Week 2: Jan. 23
Course overview; diagnostic testing
NO CLASS WEDNESDAY, January 25
Week 3: Jan.30
Chapter 1: A Reading System for Skilled Readers; Started;syllabus quiz/return contracts
Setup MyReadingLab
Week 4: Feb. 6
Chapter 2: Vocabulary in Context
Week 5: Feb. 13
Ch.3: Vocabulary-Building Skills
Week 6: Feb. 20
Monday, February 20th ---President’s Holiday—NO CLASSES
NO CLASS WEDNESDAY, February 22( MyReadingLab)
Week 7: Feb. 27
Ch.4: Topics and Main Ideas
Week 8: Mar. 5
Ch.5: Locating Stated Main Ideas
S P R I N G B R E A K March 12-15
N O
C L A S S E S
Week 9: Mar.19
Mid Term Exam (Ch.1-5);
Library Orientation
Week 10: Mar. 26
Ch.6: Implied Main Ideas; Assign Novel Report
NO CLASS WEDNESDAY, March 28( MyReadingLab)
Week 11: Apr. 2
Ch.7: Supporting Details Non-Fiction Reading passageI
Week 12: Apr. 9
Ch.8: Outlines and Concept Maps
Week 13: Apr. 16
Ch.9: Transitions and Thought Patterns; Ch.10: More Thought Patterns
Week 14: Apr. 23
Ch. 11: Inferences; Novel Report due
NO CLASS WEDNESDAY, April 25( MyReadingLab)
Week 15: April 30
DEAD WEEK
Week 16:
Final Examination (CH. 6-11): Monday, May 7th 1-3 PM
Caveat: All information included in the course syllabus and assignment calendar is subject to change at the
instructor’s discretion. Written revisions of the syllabus will be distributed to students when necessary.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS
Students will be required to complete one hour of lab assignments each week to enhance his/her ability as a reader
using MyReadingLab.
Assignments are located in The SKILLED READER.Instructions: Each week you are assigned specific activities
located in the chapter of the textbook . These are Review Tests, Discussion Questions, Mastery Test and Reading
Selection ALL should be completed either on the textbook pages, on notebook paper or emailed as an attachment by
Monday at the start of class (1:00 pm) each week. Assignments must include a heading in order to receive a grade.
Heading will include your (1) name, (2) the course title and (3) section number, (4) title of the reading, and (5) pages
they are located on in the textbook. Late work will NOT be accepted!!!You may always work ahead.
Week 3:
Review Test #1 p.25-26
```````````````````````Mastery Tests #1 P.33-34
Week 4:
Review Test #2 p. 60-62
Mastery Test#2 p. 71-72
What do you think? p.67
Additional Reading “Shoulders” p. 432-438
Week 5:
Review Test #2
What do you think? P. 111
Mastery Test #4
Additional Reading: “Women of courage” p. 439-445
Week 6:
Week 7:
Review Test #1
Mastery Test #3
What do you think? P. 151
Additional Reading: “A Dad at the Final Frontier” p. 446-451
Week 8:
Review Test #3
Mastery Test #4
What do you think? P. 182
Additional Readings: “Close Again” p. 452-458
Week 9:
Prepare for Mid-Term Exam
Week 10:
Review Test #3
Mastery Test #3
What do you think? P. 224-5
Additional Readings: “I’ve seen the worst that war can do” p. 460-465
Week 11:
Review Test #4
Mastery Test #1
What do you think? P.263
Additional Reading: “To tell the truth” p. 467--472
Week 12:
Review Test #4
Mastery Test# 3
What do you think? P.297
Additional Readings: “Want to do better on the job? Listen up?” p. 473-479
Week 13:
Review Test #4
Mastery Test# 2
What do you think? P.338
Additional Readings: “Excerpt form Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology” p. 480-8
Review Test #3
Mastery Test# 3
What do you think? P.376
Additional Readings: “The secrets of the bedroom” p. 489-495
Week 14:
Review Test #4
Mastery Test# 4
What do you think? P.417
Additional Readings: “To walk in beauty” p. 497-503
Instructional Materials
1) The Skilled Reader by D.J. Henry Third Edition
2) Pearson MyReadingLab
3) A notebook for lecture notes and written activities
4) Pen and pencils
5) A pocketsize paperback dictionary (Will be shrink-wrapped with textbook.)
6) Basic computer skills
7) HCC Library card(computer access)
HCC Policy Statement - ADA
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services
Office at the respective college at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized
to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
Please visit the ADA Website – www.hccs.edu, then click on Future Students, scroll down the
page and click on Disability Information:
Northeast ADA Counselor: Kim Ingram713.718.8420
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty
A student who is academically dishonest is, by definition, not showing that the coursework has
been learned, and that student is claiming an advantage not available to other students. The
instructor is responsible for measuring each student's individual achievements and also for
ensuring that all students compete on a level playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has
teaching, grading, and enforcement roles. You are expected to be familiar with the University's
Policy on Academic Honesty, found in the catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with
an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules will not help you. Students are responsible for
conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties
and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by College System officials against a student
accused of scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to,
cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
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Copying from another students’ test paper;
Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization;
Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the
contents of a test that has not been administered;
Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of
that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F
in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or
dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
HCC Policy Statements
Class Attendance - It is important that you come to class! Attending class regularly is the best
way to succeed in this class. Research has shown that the single most important factor in student
success is attendance. Simply put, going to class greatly increases your ability to succeed. You
are expected to attend all lecture and labs regularly. You are responsible for materials covered
during your absences. Class attendance is checked daily. Although it is your responsibility to
drop a course for nonattendance, the instructor has the authority to drop you for excessive
absences.
If you are not attending class, you are not learning the information. As the information that is
discussed in class is important for your career, students may be dropped from a course after
accumulating absences in excess of six (6) hours of instruction. The six hours of class time
would include any total classes missed or for excessive tardiness or leaving class early.
You may decide NOT to come to class for whatever reason. As an adult making the decision not
to attend, you do not have to notify the instructor prior to missing a class. However, if this
happens too many times, you may suddenly find that you have “lost” the class.
Poor attendance records tend to correlate with poor grades. If you miss any class, including the
first week, you are responsible for all material missed. It is a good idea to find a friend or a
buddy in class who would be willing to share class notes or discussion or be able to hand in
paper if you unavoidably miss a class.
Class attendance equals class success.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy
If you feel that you cannot complete this course, you will need to withdraw from the course prior
to the final date of withdrawal. Before, you withdraw from your course; please take the time to
meet with the instructor to discuss why you feel it is necessary to do so. The instructor may be
able to provide you with suggestions that would enable you to complete the course. Your
success is very important. Beginning in fall 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law limiting
first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total course withdrawals throughout their
educational career in obtaining a certificate and/or degree.
To help students avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, HCC has instituted an Early
Alert process by which your professor may “alert” you and HCC counselors that you might fail a
class because of excessive absences and/or poor academic performance. It is your responsibility
to visit with your professor or a counselor to learn about what, if any, HCC interventions might
be available to assist you – online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc. – to stay
in class and improve your academic performance.
If you plan on withdrawing from your class, you MUST contact a HCC counselor or your
professor prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class for approval and this must be done PRIOR
to the withdrawal deadline to receive a “W” on your transcript. **Final withdrawal deadlines
vary each semester and/or depending on class length, please visit the online registration
calendars, HCC schedule of classes and catalog, any HCC Registration Office, or any HCC
counselor to determine class withdrawal deadlines. Remember to allow a 24-hour response
time when communicating via email and/or telephone with a professor and/or counselor. Do
not submit a request to discuss withdrawal options less than a day before the deadline. If you
do not withdraw before the deadline, you will receive the grade that you are making in the class
as your final grade.
Repeat Course Fee
The State of Texas encourages students to complete college without having to repeat failed
classes. To increase student success, students who repeat the same course more than twice, are
required to pay extra tuition. The purpose of this extra tuition fee is to encourage students to
pass their courses and to graduate. Effective fall 2006, HCC will charge a higher tuition rate to
students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. If you are considering course
withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades, confer with your instructor/counselor as
early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing homework, test taking skills,
attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be
available.
Classroom Behavior
As your instructor and as a student in this class, it is our shared responsibility to develop and
maintain a positive learning environment for everyone. Your instructor takes this responsibility
very seriously and will inform members of the class if their behavior makes it difficult for
him/her to carry out this task. As a fellow learner, you are asked to respect the learning needs of
your classmates and assist your instructor achieve this critical goal.
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices
As a student active in the learning community of this course, it is your responsibility to be
respectful of the learning atmosphere in your classroom. To show respect of your fellow
students and instructor, you will turn off your phone and other electronic devices, and will not
use these devices in the classroom unless you receive permission from the instructor.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in
classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or
testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable
accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information
regarding reasonable accommodations
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary
to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short
online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the
survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement
of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System
online near the end of the term.
Instructor Requirements
As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:
 Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are
to be derived
 Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions, and
lectures
 Description of any special projects or assignments
 Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make up
 Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any
special projects or assignments
 Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:
 Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities
 Read and comprehend the textbook
 Complete the required assignments and exams:
 Ask for help when there is a question or problem
 Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments
 Poor planning on your part does not constitute more work on any one else.
INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS:
No Make-Up Exams: Students who are absent on the day of an exam will receive a grade of
zero. It is not fair to allow one student more time than other students to prepare for an exam.
Also, it would not be fair to other students if someone felt obliged to help a student who missed
the exam by providing him or her with test answers.
No Excused Absences: HCCS policy states that students may be withdrawn after 12.5% of the
total class has been missed. Students will be dropped 10 minutes into their 5th absence. Students
who are absent are responsible for getting lecture notes from other classmates, completing
assignments in a timely manner, and for preparing for any exam that may be given if it is given
on the day of their return to class. This requirement helps to develop responsible behaviors by
deterring the inclination to skip class for any reason other than that of an emergency.
It is important to your success as a college student that you develop and maintain responsible
adult behaviors. It is understood that you should consider any emergency which arises such as
one which involves your health or the health of your family, more important than attending class
on a particular day. You should decide the importance of each situation since, there are no make
up exams. In the event that the demands of a particular emergency situation cause you to exceed
12.5%, then you will be withdrawn from the class in order that you can commit more fully to
resolving this important personal issue.
ADDITIONAL RULES:
Disruptive students who interrupt the ability of others to benefit from course activities will be
removed from the class and withdrawn from the class on the second occasion. It is important that
you know how to interact as an adult in an academic setting.
Children are not allowed in the classroom for any reason. They can disrupt the ability of others
to pay attention during class because is often difficult for children to remain quiet and seated at
all times. They also require supervision, which disrupts the parent from focusing on what is
being discussed.
Zero: The grade received on any exam if a cell phone is accessed at any time. The camerafeature on most cell phones has been used to copy exams. In addition, text-messages with test
answers can provide an un-fair advantage over that of other students in the class. For this reason,
you should leave your cell-phone and other materials at your desk if you have to leave the room
during an exam. 5 points will be deducted from your exam score if it is imperative that you
take these materials with you after an exam has been administered. Your answers to certain
questions on an exam can help the instructor determine how to best support what you need to
learn or understand about a particular topic. Your responses also help the instructor improve the
way information is presented to you or to others in the class who may have the same difficulty
understanding a particular skill or idea.
Grading
Your instructor will conduct quizzes, exams, and assessments that you can use to determine how
successful you are at achieving the course learning outcomes (mastery of course content and
skills) outlined in the syllabus. If you find you are not mastering the material and skills, you are
encouraged to reflect on how you study and prepare for each class. Your instructor welcomes a
dialogue on what you discover and may be able to assist you in finding resources on campus that
will improve your performance.
INSTRUCTOR GRADING CRITERIA:
Mid Term Exam
Chapter 1-5
15
_______
Final Exam Ch. 1-10
15
_______
Novel Report (Final Presentation w/Visual)
5
Book Selection
Two page paper
Two Signed Revised Copies (Final Draft)
_______
5
_______
10
_______
5
_______
Class Assignments
10
_______
Homework
Reading Selections
Mastery Test
What do you think
5
10
5
_______
_______
_______
MyReadingLab
10
_______
Class Participation/Attendance
10
_______
TOTAL
100 _______
Final Exams: Monday, May 9th 1-3 PM
§ Final Exam-Test
Comprehensive Ch.1-10
Extra Credit: Extra Credit is awarded to those who do not miss any portion of class or group
meetings! This will constitutes two points on an exam and eligibility for exemption from the
final exam.
FINAL EXAM INFORMATION
 Students who hold an A or a B average and who test into GUST 0341 or higher based on
COMPASS Reading Test results may skip the final exam.
 Students who hold an A or a B average and score above 10.0 on the F form of the
Nelson-Denny Reading Test are exempt from the final exam.
 Students who pass the reading portion of the COMPASS are exempt from the final exam.
In general, students who skip the final are those who maintain regular attendance and complete
all reading homework/project assignments on time.
Students who are NOT eligible to take the final must attend all class/tutoring sessions as
scheduled until the end of the semester.
Final grades are determined by adding points earned this is the total of each area based upon
percentage listed below.
Mid Term Exam
15%
Final Exam
15%
Novel Report
25%
Homework
10%
Class Activities
10%
Lab
15%
Participation/Attendance
10%
Total
100%
HCCS GRADING SCALE: A= 100-90 B= 89-80 C=79-70 D=60-69 F, Fx or IP = 59 and
below (must repeat the class) Students who are repeating the class this semester, must receive a
letter grade such as an A, B, C, D, or F.
Useful Web Resources (You may add and delete as needed):
 Information: www.hccs.edu ; http://learning.hccs.edu
 Tutoring & Support: www.hccs.askonline.net
 MyReading Lab: www.myreadinglab.com
The Guided Studies & Developmental Reading Mission Statement
The Guided Studies and Developmental Reading Program provides quality instruction
through research-based pedagogically and andragogically designed approaches in order to
prepare our diverse community of students to become life-long learners achieving academic
and workforce goals.
Academic Honesty Statement/Syllabus Contract
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Houston Community College is committed to a high standard of academic integrity among its
faculty and students. In becoming part of the HCC academic community, students are
responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to uphold these standards includes, but is
not limited to, the following: plagiarizing written work or projects, cheating on exams or
assignments, collusion among students on an exam or project without specific permission from
the instructor, or misrepresentation of credentials or prerequisites when registering for a course.
Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student’s exam, having another person
take an exam or complete a project or assignment for you, bringing unauthorized notes, texts, or
other materials into class with you for an exam, or obtaining or distributing an unauthorized copy
of an exam or any part of an exam. Plagiarism means the unauthorized use of another’s writings
without proper documentation and includes copying material from another source without clear
documentation of the source or submitting a paper, report or project that someone else has
prepared. These definitions are not exhaustive.
When there is clear evidence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or misrepresentation,
disciplinary action may be taken, including but not limited to, the student’s presenting an oral
defense, resubmitting the assignment in question, receiving a zero or an “F” on the assignment,
or being withdrawn from the course or expelled.
Student Understanding of Syllabus, Course Expectations and Due Dates
I have read the course syllabus provided to me by my instructor, Rajone Lyman, at HCC and
understand the policies and requirements of GUST 0339. I have assignments due at certain dates.
I must plan ahead to meet all deadlines successfully in order to pass this course.
There are seven important assignments due Week 16 of the semester. I will be prepared and plan
ahead. These assignments are very important for my overall grade.
1. Project with required and selected artifacts-hardcopy and electronic
2. Project Visual presentation
3. Mid Term Exam
4. Homework Assignments: Reading Selection, Mastery Test
5. Quizzes
6. My Reading Lab
7. Novel Report and Presentation
________________________________________________________________________
I have read and understand the syllabus and the Academic Integrity Statement.
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Phone number:
E-mail address: