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6031 & 6059 ~ FALL ~ 2015
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Please see your grade keeper and homework packet for specific points, assignments, meeting times, and room numbers.
Instructor: Mrs. Burruss (Mrs. “B”) Email Address: nburruss@elcamino.edu
(use ECC email with section # in subject line)
Website: http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/nburruss Voicemail: (310) 532-3670 ~ EXT. 4404 Office Hrs: N/A (by appointment)
My rules are the way they are to protect the learning environment of our classroom. Please follow them to give everyone, including yourself, respect and a chance to succeed!
CLASSROOM and LAB POLICIES
 Respect each other
 Help each other feel comfortable to participate.
 Because this is a skills based class, focused participation is important to build your skills.
 We are not in competition with each other. Help other students succeed (not by cheating or sharing answers).
 The ECC Student Code of Conduct (Board Policy 5500 at http://www.elcamino.edu/docs/ECC-Student-Code-of-
Conduct.pdf
http://www.elcamino.edu/administration/board/boarddocs/5500 Standards of Student Conduct.pdf
)
 and (AP5520) http://www.elcamino.edu/administration/board/AP5520StudentDisciplineDueProcessProceduresDecember212009%20docx.pdf
will be strictly enforced.
 Disruption of the learning environment may result in a Disciplinary Form filed in your permanent student record for violations of the student standards of conduct. Continued disruption may result in suspension.
 Please pay special attention to #12. Obstruction or disruption of teaching… and #16. Failure to comply with the directions of a
member of the college certificated personnel….
 To avoid disciplinary action and disruption of our learning environment, please follow the guidelines below:
 Use appropriate language
 Maintain a learning environment free from distractions
 Personal conversations should be held quietly in the hallways, not in class
 Eliminate other unnecessary noise and disruptions like clicking pens, focusing on other things (cell phones, texting, distracting conversations, music/headsets, inappropriate displays of affection, sleeping, doing homework for another class), constantly leaving the classroom, etc.
 Eat and drink outside of the classroom and lab
 Be prepared for class, arrive on time, and bring your own supplies
Cheating (plagiarism, copying/using other’s homework or test answers, sharing your homework or tests) may result in negative consequences, including, but not limited to
 Zero on the assignment for both parties involved and a formal record filed with the Dean of Student Services
 A failing grade on an assignment in which academic dishonesty has occurred and suspension from class are among the disciplinary actions for academic dishonesty (AP5520). Suspension will count as an absence!
ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITY
Attendance means you are in your seat, prepared, and ready to participate in class
 Class begins promptly and will not end early, so plan and schedule other activities accordingly
 Eating, work, bus/car schedules, appointments, phone calls, texting, sleeping, doing homework, etc.
 You may be dropped for poor attendance – o More than three (3) absences o More than six (6) occurrences of tardiness, leaving early, or not being in your seat, prepared, and ready to
participate (examples: sleeping in class, repeatedly leaving the room, excessive time out of the class, working on homework, etc.)
 Each occurrence is worth 1/2 absence!
 You are always responsible for what occurred in class and for getting your homework in on time o If you are absent, let me know if you were out sick when you return o If you are tardy, sign in to avoid a whole absence (fill in all areas of the sign-in sheet) o If you need to leave early, let me know and sign out to avoid a whole absence (fill in all areas of the sign-in sheet) o If you need to step out of the room repeatedly/for an excessive amount of time, explain on the sign-in sheet
Note Lab programs and tutoring are available in the Reading Success Center, Writing Center, and some areas of the library.
T he library’s Learning Resource Center has tutors for multiple subjects online and in person (see schedule online or at the LRC).

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND EXPECTATIONS
My goal is to guide you to learn strategies to “improve your general reading and thinking abilities through increasing the following skills: comprehension, vocabulary, reading speed, and study and test-taking techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on analysis of multi-paragraph reading passages.” ( 2015-2016 ECC Catalog)
For 16 weeks, I expect you to put in at least 100% effort to do all your homework on time and participate in class. I expect you to get help outside of class with tutors, be respectful to others, and do your own work . I expect you to care at least as much about yourself and your education as I care about you and your success in this class!
Objectives: This course is designed to improve general reading and thinking abilities through increasing the following skills: comprehension, vocabulary, reading speed, and study and test-taking techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on analysis of longer reading passages. Students successfully completing English 82 will also be able to pass an exit exam.
SLOs: 1. Students will demonstrate their ability to recognize context clues that assist with vocabulary acquisition necessary to comprehend and analyze multi-paragraph non-fiction texts written at the 9 th -12th grade level (a Lexile range of 1000-1200).
2. Students will demonstrate their ability to employ comprehension strategies necessary to comprehend multiparagraph non-fiction texts written at the 9 th -12th grade level (a Lexile range of 1000-1200).
3. Students will demonstrate their ability to analyze multi-paragraph non-fiction texts written at the 9 th -12th grade level
(a Lexile range of 1000-1200).
Disability Statement: To increase your support system for success on campus, students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class, such as extra time on tests, etc., are encouraged to contact the Special Resource Center at 310-660-3295.
If any student wishes, s/he may disclose information regarding his/her needs to me on the back of his/her contact information card where s/he may give me written permission to discuss your needs with the SRC, your counselor, or tutors.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE CREDIT IN THIS COURSE
To receive credit for this course, you will need two things:
 Earn at least 70% on coursework (see your Grade Keeper for points)
 Prioritize your goals and manage your time to meet the needs of your responsibility
 Allow a minimum of 6-12 hours per week for homework (depending on your reading speed, focus, and study habits)
 Show up; do your work; participate, and read, read, read, read, read!
 Keep track of your grade and save your work until grades are posted online
 Take 4 Exit Exams and pass at least one at the recommended score (see your Grade Keeper)
 70 Question Cloze Exit Exams (two of these will be given)
 I will add points to your 70 question Exam based on your final coursework grade
 90% -100% on coursework = 3 points added

 80% - 89% on coursework = 2 points added
 70% - 79% on coursework = 1 point added
ND Timed Test: score varies based on version given
 Final Exam at 75% (at least 30 points)
Students demonstrating college level reading and classroom readiness may be waived to English 1A (reading only), and skip English 84!
TESTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
 All written assignments (Essential Questions, paragraphs, Novel Notes, etc.) must be
(except assignments printed by hand in your textbooks or during class – in these cases, PRINT BIG and PRINT NEATLY).
 Typed assignments are to be 12 to 14 point, easy to read font, and 1.5 spacing
 NO CREDIT will be given to illegible assignments!
 One late homework assignment (see grade keeper) will cost you 20 bonus points, so please get everything in on time!
 20 Bonus Points will be given if all homework is turned in on time!
 No make-up tests and no more than one day’s late homework (with filled out LHP turned in by the next class) accepted for credit!
 Please communicate with your instructor for extenuating circumstances; however, exceptions are extremely rare.
Students will receive grades if they don’t drop classes before the deadline to drop with a “W”.
:
Remaining in this class means that you understand and agree with this syllabus and the electronically attached comments.