De Anza College
Reading 211 5 units P/NP
Instructor: Marian Wronsky
wronskymarian@fhda.edu
408-720-1544
Office: Baldwin Winery
Part Time Offices
MW 2:15-2:45
Reading 211 is a class for students who are serious about developing their reading comprehension, study, and learning skills vital
for success in college classes and career prosperity. It is a prerequisite for English 1A.
What will I learn to do? You will learn how to
1. Develop independent reading and study competency necessary for English 1A and other academic classes at De Anza
College.
2. Learn how to get meanings of words within a passage and build your vocabulary.
3. Increase your comprehension of expository writings through skill building in determining thesis, controlling and
supporting ideas, strategy selection, practice, and evaluation.
4. Get interested in and maintain concentration and involvement in difficult reading assignments, manage your time,
organize and retain information, ask and answer questions, study for and take tests.
5. Develop higher levels of reading comprehension including inference and critical reading.
6. Read and comprehend fully and increase your appreciation of a novel.
7. Explore and discuss ideas uncovered in reading in relation to current personal and social issues.
What materials will I need?
Warner and Hilliard, Visions Across the Americas, 8th edition
Doctorow, Welcome To Hard Times
Reading 211 Strategies and Resources for Spring Quarter 20014
College dictionary, 2-3 8-½” X 7” green books
3 ring binder for Strategies and Resources
How will I be evaluated and graded? This is a pass/no pass class. To receive a recommendation for English 1A, students must
pass the Final Exam (70% or better); receive a Pass grade for the class (70% + of total points). These requirements are
firm and need to be taken seriously.
33% Daily (Homework, In-class Performance, and Quizzes)
17% Book Review
17% Midterm
25% Final Exam
8% Vocabulary Test
What are the standards and penalties of this class? While the student is responsible for his/her success or failure, the instructor
has the responsibility to facilitate an environment that guarantees the individual’s right to learn and succeed. Students are
responsible for all class meetings, having all instructional materials, and completing all assignments on time.
Involvement in class meetings insures meeting of course objectives and successful completion of assignments.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Assignments must be turned in on the time and date due and meet standards specified or will lose points or will not
be accepted. It is student’s responsibility to communicate issues, with the instructor to discuss options. Students
are responsible for 100% class notes, in class activities, and instructional materials distributed at class meetings.
Students can access instructional materials at http://faculty.deanza.fhda.edu/wronskymarian/handouts.
Respect for the standards, the subject, themselves, other students, and the instructor is required. Students who
disrupt class learning through more than 3 combined absences/ tardiness/early departures for any reason, come
to class unprepared, and/or prevent classmates from learning are subject to dismissal from class for the day
and/or being dropped from the class. Other types of disruption include verbal or physical abuse, threats,
inordinate demands for time and attention, harassment, and discrimination.
Students can be dropped due to neglect of assignments. Students who fail to turn in more than 2 assignments are
subject to being dropped. Assignments not completed as directed lose points or may not be accepted.
Students who miss any class or come late the first week of school, may be dropped to accommodate other students who
want to get into the class.
Students’ success depends on preparation and participation in class meetings and assignments. Students are
expected to plan appointments and outside activities around the scheduled class time and take responsibility for all
classes and assignments. This means that when there are absences due to dire circumstances, students are
responsible to get notes, handouts, and complete assignments by and for each class meeting. Students who desire
to succeed and have special or unforeseen problems are expected to contact and consult with the instructor
immediately, before tit creates a serious problem.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in loss of points on the part copied or the whole assignment.
The Final Exam Part 1 will be Monday 6/23 and Part 2 will be Wednesday 6/25 at 4-6 for 3 pm class and at 6:15-8:15 for
5:30 class. These are the only dates the Final Exam is given. 5/26 is a holiday. Students are expected to plan outside
activities around class meetings.
Spring Quarter 2014
Dear Reading 211 student:
Welcome to this class. I look forward to joyful and satisfying times together, sharing meaningful experiences, struggles,
performances, and achievements.
In this class you will learn new strategies to comprehend expository essays and fictional literature to succeed in English 1A, as
well as study strategies for all college classes. The reading content is very relevant and stimulating and will give you some ideas to
improve your personal life.
I have a few suggestions to ensure success in this class. First, recognize a connection between yourself and this class. Ask yourself
what are your challenges in your courses, at work, or in your personal life. Look for answers in this class. Be open to other ideas,
skills, and strategies offered.
Second, find out how your instructor will grade you, on what activities, how many points, or what percent of the total grade. Find
out the standard for grading on each assignment and do your best. Use the strategies you know and learn new ones. Realize that
reading demands a lot of skills and practice and accept yourself where you are, while working your hardest to improve.
Third, find out your instructor’s values, goals, and policies. Studies continue to show that getting along with your boss will get you
rewards. Punctuality communicates respect for your instructor, yourself, and classmates. Find out how much time and effort you
will need to put into this course in class and out of class to succeed. What activities will help you learn?
Fourth, recognize that in order to get value out of the instructor and the course, and get a good grade, that there are certain
preparations such as reading, studying, reviewing, having proper materials, knowing daily objectives, relating new information to
objectives and to yourself, making inferences, getting to class early and getting ready to learn. For this summer class, you need to
set aside 5 hours per class meeting.
Finally, while you are allowed a certain amount of absences, it is advisable to not miss any classes because each class is vital to
performing well on tests, assignments, and projects. While classmates are helpful, remember they are learning, and cannot be
depended on solely to get accurate information. Also, class offers learning activities that cannot be done outside of class.
Therefore, to do well, today creatively make changes in upcoming appointments or other plans to not conflict with class. If
relatives want you to help them out, explain to them assertively that your first priority is school and that to succeed you cannot
afford to miss classes. Respect them to take care of themselves and find alternatives.
I pledge to give you all that I can to help you succeed. The rest is up to you to be receptive, responsible, and proactive.
Now it’s your turn, please help me understand you by completing the following information and by writing me a letter about
yourself (about a page). This assignment is required and due at the next class meeting. Please help me work better with you.
By the way, if you now or ever have any concerns, please feel free to contact me before class, after class, or by telephone at 7201544. If you need more time, ask for an appointment. Do this before it’s too late!
Sincerely,
Marian Wronsky
Two Recent Studies
Two recent studies compared under prepared students who succeeded in college to those who did not (Nelson, 1998; Yaworski,
Weber, & Ibrahim, 2000). Their findings reveal a number of traits common among successful students. Specifically, successful
students:
1) Attend class on time,
2) Are prepared for class (by completing course assignments),
3) Perceive instructors as experts,
4) Adhere to an organized study routine,
5) Develop a repertoire of study skills strategies, and
6) Take responsibility for their own learning.
Spring Quarter 2014