Walla Walla Community College
Reading 98
Instructor: Jane Drabek
E-mail: jane.drabek@wwcc.edu
Office 29, 527-4645
Office Hours: Wed. 8:30
Thur. 2:30
Fri. 10:30
SYLLABUS FOR COLLEGE READING SKILLS
How will this class help you?
This course is designed to help you become a successful college reader and learner.
What does that mean? Students who are successful college readers and learners have
some things in common:





Recognize when they do not understand what they are reading and take
appropriate action.
Use appropriate reading strategies when reading different types of material, such
as textbooks, newspapers, essays and novels.
Know reading requires critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Understand reading is a way to continue learning throughout their lives.
Realize improvement comes through practice. Successful readers read!
What will you be able to do when you complete this class?
 Appreciate the connection between reading and writing and use it to improve in
both areas
 Explain the reading processes you use for reading textbooks
 List steps you take when you don't understand something you read
 Monitor your comprehension
 Demonstrate how to use previewing, purpose-setting and questioning
 Monitor your concentration and take appropriate action when you cannot
concentrate
 Describe what to do to create interest when the material is uninteresting.
 Demonstrate appropriate marking of college level material
 Summarize and respond to what you read
 Describe the techniques that helped you increase your reading speed
 Read faster than when you entered the class
 Participate in class to help create a community of academic readers
How will we work together to accomplish these goals?
The techniques of effective reading will be learned through activities in the workbook
text Read and Respond, by Swinton and Agopsowicz. In addition, lectures, group
discussions, modeling and rehearsal will help you improve your reading. The text,
however, will be a primary source of information and will provide opportunities for
application of the reading strategies. Bring it every Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday.
On Thursdays you will be shown a variety of speed reading techniques. After
determining your reading speed, you will have the opportunity to use “Ultimate Speed
Reader,” a computerized speed reading program to improve your rate of reading. The
program is available on computers in rooms 221 and 210 for your use outside of class.
You will need to select a personal book to read during reading practice sessions on
Mondays and for speed reading practice on Thursdays. This book should be of interest
to you but not one you are required to read for another class.
How will you be evaluated?
By the end of the quarter you will be expected to demonstrate you can do the tasks
listed in the first section above. There will be numerous opportunities for you to
demonstrate your competence on practical reading exercises and essay tests. In
addition, daily assignments, attendance, and speed reading improvement contribute to
your grade.
Grades are based on points you accumulate in each of the categories below:
Participation, 6 points per day
10% of grade
Daily Assignments
30% of grade
Tests
25% of grade
Rate Exercises and Improvement
10% of grade
Final Exam
25% of grade
The following scale will be used to calculate your grade:
A
AB+
B
B-
=
=
=
=
=
93 - 100%
90 - 92%
87 - 89%
83 - 86%
80 - 82%
C+
C
CD+
D
=
=
=
=
=
77 73 70 67 60 -
79%
76%
72%
69%
66%
Participation includes attending class and being alert and responsive during class.
Assume daily assignments are due at the beginning of class unless you are told
otherwise. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, turn it in the day you return.
As the college catalog states, when you are absent it is your responsibility to find out
from a classmate or the instructor what you missed.
To make-up a test you must contact the instructor in person or by phone or email
message PRIOR TO the test indicating the reason you will be absent. Call 5274645 to talk to the instructor or to leave a voice mail message. When an emergency
occurs that prevents your making prior arrangements, call or email the day of the exam.
You can also call the college and ask to be transferred to Jane Drabek’s phone.
Because practice is essential to improving reading skill, you are required to attend
seven reading practice sessions to complete the class. Practice sessions are Mondays
10:30 - 11:20 a.m. You get to read the book of your choice on practice days as long as
it is not assigned reading for another class.
Reading, like any skill, must be practiced if it is to perfected.
---------------------If you need accommodations for a disability, please meet with
the instructor privately.