ENSL B61
BASIC Reading/Vocabulary
Professor Rodacker “Ms. Beth”
M&W 1:00~3:05pm
E-mail: erodacke@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Spring 2011
Phone: 395-4793
Office & Hours: FA 61 M W 3:15-5:45pm
Course Objectives:
ENSL B 61 is a basic ESL course; you will be developing your English reading skills in
this class. We will focus on various reading skills and strategies, including
comprehension, vocabulary, and critical reading and thinking skills. We will read topics
in fiction and non-fiction and discuss them in class. We will also practice strategies in
class that will assist you to begin to understand college level work. Additionally, you
will learn new vocabulary, begin to read more fluently and increase the motivation to
read independently. We will also do some academic writing in class and practice other
language skills. All of the language skills that we practice should help you to improve
your English skills and make you a better reader.
Student Learning Outcomes:
●Develop and expand vocabulary in English
●Recognize word parts
●Practice using context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar words
●Identify main ideas and supporting details in reading passages
●Analyze the relationship among ideas and themes in readings
●Demonstrate skills with a monolingual dictionary
Course Goals:
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Begin to develop critical thinking skills by analyzing various reading selections
and participating in class discussions using Academic English
Interact successfully with the text via sustained inquiry
Identify the writer’s purpose, point of view and begin to understand audience
awareness
Improve overall language skills
Increase reading speed and fluency and develop motivation and desire to read
independently
Attain other valuable skills necessary to be a successful reader
Understand basic differences between good and poor readers while practicing and
applying good readers’ traits
Required texts and materials:
1. Reading Explorer 2 by P. MacIntyre
2. Billy Elliot by M. Burgess
3. Reading Changed My Life by B. Johnson (available on line for free at
http://www.townsendpress.com/pdf/RCMeBook.pdf)
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4. Cambridge Dictionary of American English (note: always bring to class)
5. A notebook (8 ½ X 11) for lecture and reading notes
6. Pens/Pencils
Course Requirements:
1. Reading Assignments: We will have frequent reading assignments from Reading
Explorer 2. You must also read the books Reading Changed My Life! and Billy
Elliot, and while reading these two books, you must complete your Reading
Response Journal which guides you as you read.
2. Reader Response Journals: Complete these for each section of Reading Changed
My Life! and Billy Elliot ; bring it to class completed for class discussion and
Collaborative Learning. No late Journals will be accepted.
3. Quizzes/Reading Checks: Unannounced quizzes/reading checks will be given in
class, so make sure you keep up with all reading assignments. Also pay close
attention to any recordings, films/videos/DVDs shown in class and class
discussions. You may be quizzed over these as well.
4. Homework Assignments: Often homework will be given during class.
Homework is due the following class session, unless otherwise specified.
5. Collaborative Learning: ENSL 61 is often run as a learning workshop: students
read, discuss, and sometimes write about a number of assignments from our texts.
You are expected to prepare for and participate during Collaborative Learning. A
significant portion of your grade is attributed to Collaborative Learning, so stay
focused. You must bring your books to class each day so you can participate in
Collaborative Learning effectively. You will prepare for quizzes, anticipate test
questions, identify and define vocabulary and discuss the content of the novels.
Please take this seriously as you are graded on your participation and activity.
6. Book Report: All students will prepare a written and oral book report from the
library’s “Great Reads” book list. Please see the additional handout about this
assignment. Please check the syllabus for due dates. The Book Report must be
typed and proofread. You may have your Book Report edited in the Student
Learning Center.
7. Studenthood: You must accept responsibility for this course. This includes
attending class, completing your homework, participating in class, and acting like
an adult. We may have discussions about studenthood periodically throughout the
semester.
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8. Final Exam: This will be in May, at the end of the semester. Your Final Exam
will include tests over textbooks and vocabulary. More details will follow.
9. Vocabulary Logs: Your vocabulary logs will be assessed throughout the
semester. You must add at least 15 new words for 10 weeks from Reading
Explorer 2, in class discussions, Reading Changed My Life! Billy Elliot, other
textbooks, and class discussions/lectures, not randomly from the dictionary! See
the attached example for how to organize your Vocabulary Log. Organize your
Vocabulary Log exactly as described for full credit. All Vocabulary Logs must be
typed. Handwritten Vocabulary Logs will not be accepted. Please submit your
Vocabulary Log each week. No late assignments will be accepted.
10. Tests: After each unit from Reading Explorer 2, we will have a test. We may
have tests over Reading Changed My Life! and Billy Elliot as well. Vocabulary
tests will be given regularly. Study carefully! Expect to spend about 4-6 hours
of studying per week for success in class.
Grading:
Grading options: A, B, C, D, F. Grade breakdown: Reading 30%, Tests & Quizzes
20%, Vocabulary Log & Collaborative Learning 20%, Studenthood and Other
Assignments 10%, & Book Report 20%. Some assignments may be graded with a √
(satisfactory), √+ (superior work), or √- (needs improvement). Note: The letter grades
of D and F are not passing; if you receive a D or F, you may not advance to the next
level.
Attendance Policy:
Regular attending is mandatory. Class is fun. Class is where the action is.
Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. If you miss the first and/or second
day of class, you will be dropped. If you leave early, you will be counted absent.
Often very important information is stated at the beginning of class; please be on
time. I often take attendance at the start of class, so if you are late, make sure you
check with me; otherwise you will be counted absent. Students who come in late
disrupt the class. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will be counted absent. If
you are tardy three times, it equals one absence. If you miss 8 hours of class, you
may be dropped. This is only 4 classes, so please make sure you attend regularly.
Select three class members to contact in case of your absence. Be sure to update this
list as needed.
Name____________________Phone_________________E-mail________________
Name____________________Phone_________________E-mail________________
Name____________________Phone_________________E-mail________________
Other Information:
You are responsible for all assignments handed out and announcements made in
class, even if you are absent. In order to improve your reading skills in English, you
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must take an active role in your own language learning. Homework and assignments
from other classes cannot be done in this class. Please speak only English! No
talking during tests or quizzes! If you speak during any quizzes/tests, you will be
warned once. After your first warning, you must turn your quiz in and receive a 0.
All homework and assignments are due before class begins. You must always bring
paper, your textbooks, a pen/pencil, and your dictionary to class. Please listen to
others while they speak. No headsets, ipods, ear pieces, etc. are allowed in class.
Make sure your cell phones and pagers are turned off or silenced during class. No
text messaging during class. Disruptions from phones ringing, beepers, pagers or
other technological noises are not acceptable in class and will not be tolerated. If
you are disrespectful and impolite by talking while someone else is talking, your
grade will be lowered. If you have any problems with the class or want to discuss
your grade and assignment or anything else, I will be happy to meet with you.
Important Dates:
● February 22: Last day to delete classes without receiving "W" grades
● April 1: Last day to drop classes and receive "W" grades
Suggestions for Success:
Don’t miss class or come to class unprepared! When you prepare, you will get the
most out of class lectures and discussions. Read each assignment before it is
discussed in class. See me early in the semester if you have any trouble
understanding the assignments or other aspects of the course. Form study groups
with fellow classmates; don’t wait until the night before to complete your
assignments! Work with a tutor on any assignments that are especially difficult.
FREE tutoring is available in the ESL Tutoring Center and at the Learning Center.
Study and practice grammar points on the computer program, Plato, and take
advantage of the proofreading services. Also attend CAS workshops for further
learning. All of these services are free and available in the Student Services building.
Keep all homework, assignments, tests, quizzes, and papers until the semester is over.
Lost assignments are the students’ responsibility.
Accommodations
Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class
are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs & Services located at Student
Services Building, 1st Floor, Counseling Center (661-395-4334), as soon as possible
to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
Academic Integrity Statement:
Plagiarism is using someone else’s work and claiming it as your own. Don’t do this!
When writing your summaries and Book Reports, use your own words. If you are
using another person or author in your work, cite him/her (attribute the idea to
him/her). The penalty for academic dishonesty is an F in the course. For more
information, see the BC Catalog, page 31.
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Note: This schedule is subject to change.
Week
Date
Day
January
1
2
17
M
Holiday—MLK—No Class
19
W
Course Introduction, Syllabus Quiz, Preview texts,
and Student Interviews/Introductions
24
M
Traits of Good Readers vs. Poor Readers
Begin Reading Explorer 2 (hereafter referred to as
RE)
Unit 1
Review Reading Response Journal
26
W
Reading Changed My Life! “Why Become a Regular
Reader?” (96-97) & Introduction
Due: Reading Response Journal (RRJ) #1
RE Unit 1 Test
3
31
M
RE Unit 2
Due: Vocabulary Log #1
February
4
2
W
Reading Changed My Life! “Maria Cardenas” (1-31)
Due: RRJ #2
RE Unit 2 Test
7
M
Review “Great Reads” List from BC Library
RE Unit 3
Due: Vocabulary Log #2
9
W
Reading Changed My Life! “Daisy Russell” (35-56)
Due: RRJ #2
RE Unit 2 Test
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5
6
7
14
M
RE Unit 4
Due: Vocabulary Log #3
16
W
Reading Changed My Life! “Julia Burney” (59-94)
Due: RRJ #3
RE Unit 4 Test
21
M
Holiday—No Class
23
W
RE Unit 5
Due: Vocabulary Log #4
28
M
RE Unit 5 Test
RE Unit 6
Due: Vocabulary Log #5
2
W
RE Unit 6 Test
7
M
Book Report Presentations
9
W
Book Report Presentations continued
14
M
Book Report Presentations continued
16
W
RE Unit 7
Due: Vocabulary Log #6
21
M
Billy Elliot Introduction & Chapters 1-2
Due: RRJ #1
RE Unit 7 Test
March
8
9
10
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11
23
W
RE Unit 8
Due: Vocabulary Log #7
28
M
Billy Elliot Chapters 3-4
Due: RRJ #2
RE Unit 8 Test
30
W
RE Unit 9
Due: Vocabulary Log #8
4
M
Billy Elliot Chapters 5-7
Due: RRJ #3
RE Unit 9 Test
6
W
RE Unit 10
Due: Vocabulary Log #9
11
M
Billy Elliot Chapters 8-10
Due: RRJ #3
RE Unit 10 Test
13
W
RE Unit 11
18
M
Spring Break—No Class
20
W
Spring Break—No Class
25
M
Billy Elliot Chapters 11-13
Due: RRJ #4
RE Unit 11 Test
27
W
RE Unit 12
Due: Vocabulary Log #10
April
12
13
14
15
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May
16
17
2
M
Billy Elliot Chapters 14-15
Due: RRJ #4
RE Unit 12 Test
4
W
Billy Elliot
9
M
Final Exam 6-7:50pm
Example Vocabulary Development Log Remember to add 15+ for 10 weeks!
New Vocabulary Definition
Part of speech
Word Families
Sentence Examples
Word
(2 minimum)
1. habit
Something you do noun
often or regularly.
habits (plural,
noun)
habitual (adjective)
habitually (adverb)
2. socialize
To interact or
spend time with
others for
fun/relaxation.
verb
Topic; subject.
noun
social (adj.)
socialized (adj.)
sociology (noun)
society (noun)
socialism (noun)
Thematic (adj.)
3. theme
A good habit is
drinking 8 glasses of
water each day.
Do you have the
habit of reviewing
your class notes at
home?
Teens socialize with
their peers in school.
Humans are social
creatures.
The theme of the
movie was romance.
The theme of this
chapter is
immigration.
4. –15. ↓
Add 15+ words for each Vocabulary Log.
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Professor Rodacker “Ms Beth”
Book Report—Directions
1. Choose an interesting book from the BC library’s “Great Reads” list. Your book
must be in English.
2. Read the book. Next prepare your written Book Report. Write a report of the
book. Remember to include WHY you chose your book. What attracted you to
the theme/topic and title? Your report must be in your own words. Please do not
copy. Include enough information to encourage the audience to read the book.
Be sure to include the following: Author, Title, Summary, Setting, Main
Characters, Events/Conflicts, and Conclusion etc.
3. Choose 20-25 new vocabulary words/phrases and define them for the class. Make
copies for your classmates. Suggestion: Add these words to your Vocabulary
Log.
4. Make sure you edit/proofread your Book Report. Check for consistent verb
tenses, correct punctuation, correct spellings and other errors. Free proofreading
is available in the Learning Center. Also, your Book Report must be typed.
5. Present your Book Report to class. Find a way to connect your Book Report to
our lives. Discuss the characters, plot, main point and other significant details.
6. Create 2~3 discussion questions for class.
7. Your presentation should be 8-10 minutes. You can show photos, maps, graphs,
or use a PowerPoint if you wish.
8. Turn in your typed Book Report to your professor.
Audience Role for current events:
Listen carefully. Remember you want the class to listen while you speak, so please give
the presenter the same respect. If you do not pay attention, your grade may be lowered.
Participate in class discussions. Be aware of your audience when you speak. What do
you know about your classmates? Be careful not to make assumptions.
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BOOK REPORT—Template
Note: Important! Use your own paper to write your book report. You book report must be typed.
Book Review
Name:
Date Submitted
Part 1
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Title of Book
Author of Book
Names and descriptions of
Main Characters
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Names and descriptions of
Secondary Characters
Publishing Information
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Part 2
In a paragraph of about 10 sentences write a summary of the book.
Part 3
In a paragraph of about 10 sentences describe your favorite character.
Part 4
In a paragraph of about 10 sentences describe your favorite chapter of the
book.
Part 5
In the table below list 20-25 new words that you read in the book. Write down
their meanings in your native language and in English. Make copies of these new
vocabulary words for your classmates.
Part 6
Select 10 words and make sentences.
Part 7
Be creative! Create a game for the class or make a quiz. Do something fun and
exciting.
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