READ 880: READING BASICS, LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE, SPRING 2008
Ms. Jordan Irwin Fabish, Instructor
Ms. Tara Saviet, Supplemental Instruction Leader
Class #30767, 3 units
Prerequisite: none
Office (LAC trailers): TS
Instructor email: jfabish@lbcc.edu
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Fridays, 11 A.M. – 2 P.M., Room B301A LAC
Grading: CREDIT/NO CREDIT
Office phone: (562) 938-4919
S. I. Leader email: TMSaviet@aol.com
Office Hours in TS
11 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
By appointment
11 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. Room B303C
10 A.M. – 11 A.M.
Or by appointment
READING PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT
A thorough, thoughtful reader will enjoy success in any discipline. That is our goal. At the
foundation of Long Beach City College’s Reading Program is a team of educators who bring
expertise, energy, and deep commitment to each course, to each student. Knowing the
text-based challenges awaiting students in college and the workplace, our program offers a
varied, balanced, rigorous curriculum to strengthen all levels of thinking.
COURSE DESCRIPTION, OBJECTIVES, AND BENEFITS
Welcome to Read 880! I commend your decision to attend Long Beach City College, a truly
student-centered place to learn. This course will help you to become a better reader and
thinker, thus increasing success in all your other classes and increasing your personal
confidence, as well. Specifically, you will acquire the many benefits of making the decision to
read ACTIVELY. If you make that decision you will:
 Fill in the gaps in your understanding of consonants, vowels, and syllables
 Increase your ability to use context clues for both vocabulary and comprehension
 Become experts using a dictionary
 Learn LOTS of new words (“A solid vocabulary is a source of power.” Smith, Johnson, Mohr)
 Practice finding topics, main ideas, details, and relationships in text so that you can see
what is important
 Enhance your reading enjoyment
More benefits:
In addition, the course’s activities will lead you to:
 Think at a higher level
 Develop responsibility for your own learning in a safe place
 Work together to learn
 Feel better about yourself
 Write better
 CHANGE YOUR BRAIN! In a reading course, this is our ultimate goal—not to acquire facts
(although you will), but to teach your brain to see print with stronger understanding.
Note: it takes courage to change!
FABISH 880
HOW TO SUCCEED
I want you to succeed in this course, in your college experience, and in reaching your goals
in life. There are many people who can help you to make the most of this class:
 I am your first resource. Please let me help you! Visit me in my office, or call or email me.
 Participate in Supplemental Instruction, designed especially for our class because I will be
working closely with Tara Saviet. Students who attend S. I. enjoy the class more, learn more
in it, and get better grades than those who “go it alone.”
 Stay in touch with an academic counselor, so you are always taking the appropriate
courses.
 If you are feeling anxious or emotionally troubled, LBCC has psychological counselors, too.
 The Writing Reading Center and Learning and Academic Resources both have tutoring,
and I have invited reps from these terrific programs to tell you how to use them. Use them!
In short, successful students:
1. Show up
2. Do their best work on every assignment
3. Participate actively
I will come to class well prepared, treating you with courtesy and fairness, and I expect the
same from you. Please understand that THERE ARE NO MAKE UPS; for this reason, and also
because our class meets only once a week, attendance is critical. Your commitment to
attending each class is an ideal first step to success in the course. (Show up!) In accordance
with LBCC’s policy, I may drop you if you miss more than two weeks in a row or more than
20% (about 10 hours) of the course. Being late to class and leaving early count, too. How?
You may have three “free” academic hours (150 minutes); if you are absent more minutes
than that, whatever the reason, your grade will go down. If you ever do come late or leave
early, please sign in/out on the sheet near the door. To make up time, see me and I will tell
you how. But remember, you may NOT make up work that you miss because you are absent.
(I suggest that you do not make appointments or trips during this or any class hours. There
may be some situations, however, where you can arrange with me to turn in homework or
take a test AHEAD of time, if you know you will be absent.)
Also, I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK without a “No Questions Asked” coupon (distributed
later). Choose carefully if/when/how to use them. I do not accept late work, and when we
get to Paired Readings, I will not even accept a coupon.
If you must be absent (due to such things as ordinary illness, transportation problems), do the
following:
1. Most importantly, prepare for the following class by contacting me or a classmate for
missed lecture notes, handouts, and assignments. DO NOT neglect this important step!
2. Bring your assignment early, or have a friend bring it, or use the NQA coupon.
3. Although the first two are the most important, please, as a courtesy, let me know
about your absence.
On an individual basis I will consider emergencies (such as long-term illness, serious illness on
a test day, death in the immediate family), but you must CALL or EMAIL ME immediately to
discuss the problem. Do not assume that the serious nature of your problem means you do
not need to contact me.
No immediate discussion on your part = no consideration on my part.
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FABISH 880
REQUIRED MATERIALS (BOOKS AND MATERIALS YOU MUST HAVE)*
 Groundwork for College Reading (with Phonics),4th ed.—B. Broderick & J. Langan
 Frindle—A. Clements
 Read 880 packet
 3-ringed notebook with paper. If you want to use a spiral notebook, that is fine, but I will not
accept papers with those little fringes!
 Large 5½ x 8½-inch index cards (at least 4 x 6) for flashcards and feedback
 3 or 4 882 scantrons
 A good home dictionary such as The American Heritage College Dictionary or Internet
access to an online site such as dictionary.com or m-w.com or willingness to spend time
using the library dictionaries.
*Except for the home dictionary, please bring ALL materials to EVERY class. If for some reason
you have trouble getting materials, you must let me know so that I can help you. There is NO
WAY you can pass this or any class without the required materials.
RECOMMENDED MATERIALS (HELPFUL TOOLS, BUT NOT REQUIRED)
 Nitty-Gritty Grammar—A Not-So-Serious Guide to Clear Communication—Fine & Josephson
 An email account. It’s the easiest way to reach me.
 Not a “material,” but I do recommend that you HAVE YOUR VISION CHECKED.
GRADING (ALL POINT VALUES MAY VARY)
In-class participation, quizzes, and assignments ................................... 35 points (5%)
Graded homework .....................................................................................110 points (15%)
4 Frindle Vocabulary Quizzes @ 10 points each ...................................... 40 points (6%)
Frindle Vocabulary Test and test-day flashcards.……………………….. 75 points (10%)
Post-midterm 15-minute conference with me …….. .............................. 10 points (1.5%)
Midterm ......................................................................................................... 150 points (21%)
Frindle Paired Readings…. ......................................................................... 60 points (8%)
Frindle Comprehension Test ....................................................................... 80 points (11%)
Final................................................................................................................ 160 points (22%)
Approximate total points possible
720 points
Although I will give you letter grades as we go, this is a CREDIT/NO CREDIT class. To receive a
CREDIT you must earn 75% of the total points, and you must take and pass the final. If you
find the class too easy or too difficult, I can give you individualized, supplemental work to
make it a better match. If you should decide to drop this class, consult your SPRING 2008
Schedule of Classes, p. 144, for the school’s withdrawal policy. In fact, please read pages 144
– 147 (especially the “Creating a Collegiate Environment” section, p. 147) to be aware of all
of your rights and responsibilities at Long Beach City College. Because I expect scholarly
work and adult behavior, I may ask you to leave class if you are unprepared or to move your
seat for excessive or inappropriate talking. Do your homework in your home; that is, NOT EVER
in class. I will not accept an assignment you work on during class, unless it is an in-class
assignment!
Speaking of homework, the LBCC course outline requires two hours of outside work for every
hour of class, which should be enough time to absorb the comprehension concepts that will
make you a better reader and a successful student, rather than a “victim.” When victims
have problems, they complain, blame others, make excuses, give up, or ignore the problem.
When successful students have problems, they face them, take personal responsibility, create
workable alternatives, and ask for help. The most important thing you can learn in school and
in life is successful behavior.
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FABISH 880
SOME SPECIFICS
Cell Phones, Pagers, etc.—They distract you and others; please turn them off or to silent
during class. If your device rings, beeps, or buzzes, simply turn it off. Let us also consider the
newest electronic distraction: texting, a very tempting activity. Don’t do it! That is, don’t do it
during class. Don’t even CHECK! Put away any other “plug-in-the-ear”-type players, too.
You can text, talk, and listen before and after class and at the break. If you use your
electronic device for any reason during class, take it and your belongings out; you have
chosen to be absent for the day. If you must be “on call” for, say, a sick parent or child, let
me know ahead of time.
Academic Honesty
Cheating or plagiarism, even if unintentional, including copying, will be treated very seriously.
If you are unclear about plagiarism (copying texts, Web sites, or fellow students), please ASK
me. Working with a partner or a group is often a terrific help, and I encourage it, but the final
product must be your own work in your own words.
Supplemental Instruction
Rejoice! LBCC has a Supplemental Instruction program as one of many ways to help you
learn. Tara Saviet, our S. I. Leader, will be in class with us every day and will hold an “S. I.
Session” at convenient, regular times each week. Go to one session, to three, to all! Students
who participate in S. I. learn from each other, enjoy the class much more, and get WAY
higher grades than those who study alone. I will always be available to work with you one on
one. I love to help individual students, I hope to be working with you often, and I expect to
see you in my office for your required visit. However, I understand that, for many of you, a
group of your peers, anonymous to your instructor, is a very effective learning strategy. Do
yourself a favor and make the time to attend Supplemental Instruction for our class.
My Absence?
Finally, I am usually setting up for class well before it starts; in other words, I am never late.
However, if one day I am not there, please check with someone in the English Department
office (562 938-4036) for a message from me. If my whereabouts are still a mystery, wait
twenty minutes, sign a piece of paper to show who was there, and go home.
Note: Sometimes students seem to forget these policies as the semester goes by, but please
remember them! The policies outlined in this syllabus are in effect for all students at all times.
Again, WELCOME! I anticipate a rewarding semester for all of us.
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FABISH 880
Tentative Schedule of Assignments, Spring 2008
Our schedule should serve our needs, not the other way around, but the following is
approximately what you can expect:
Week 1
Fri., Jan. 18
Introduction
Pre-test
Introduction to course and each other. Buy books and
supplies. Start Groundwork, Part II, ch. 2, Dictionary Use,
p. 173 and Frindle. Read Frindle for enjoyment.
Please read the following BEFORE class; write in additional assignments.
Frindle vocabulary & study pages are DUE on the dates shown.
Week 2
Fri., Jan. 25
SYLLABUS QUIZ
Week 3
Fri., Feb. 1
Week 4
Fri., Feb. 8
FR VOCAB QUIZ on
ch. 1 – 4
Fri., Feb. 15
Fri., Feb. 22
NO FR QUIZ on 7-9
FR QUIZ on ch. 5 & 6
Fri., Feb. 29
FR VOCAB QUIZ on
ch. 10 - 12
Fri., March 7
FR VOCAB QUIZ on
ch. 13 – 15
Fri., March 14
FR VOCAB TEST
Fri., March 21
MIDTERM
Fri., March 28
Fri., April 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
NADE
Conf.?
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Fri., April 11
Grade Profile DUE
Fri., April 18
Grade Profile OK
Fri., April 25
GROUNDWORK FOR COLLEGE
READING
Dictionary Use, p. 173
FRINDLE
Keep reading for fun.
Do Frindle Guide to Act. PK
Introduce flashcard &
in class. Note what is DUE for
Consonants
next time. ↓
Consonants, p. 9
Ch. 1-4 + book check
3 sample flashcards due
Vocab., p. 3 - 5
Introduce Vowels
Study Guide, p. 6
Vowels, p. 47
Ch. 5 & 6
Vocab., p. 7 + QUIZ, ch. 1 – 4
Introduce Main Ideas
Study Guide, p. 8
NO CLASS—LINCOLN’S DAY
Main Ideas, p. 243
Ch. 7 – 9
Vocab., p.9 & 10, QUIZ ch. 5 & 6
Study Guide, p. 11
Ch. 10 – 12
Vocab., p. 12 & 13 + QUIZ
Introduce Supporting Details
Study Guide, p. 14 & 15
Supporting Details, p. 275
Ch. 13 – 15
Vocab., p. 16, 17, 18 + QUIZ
Introduce Vocab. in Context
Study Guide, p. 19
Vocab. in Context, p. 209
Vocabulary Test on ALL
Frindle words.
Preparation for midterm
MIDTERM
Main Ideas, cont.
NO CLASS—SPRING BREAK
Review Frindle vocab. test
Paired Readings Intro &
Introduce Finding (More) MIs
Organization
Finding Main Ideas, p. 309
Practice Paired Readings
Introduce Signal Words I
Signal Words I, p. 339
Practice Paired Readings
Concept Review
Pt. III, Selection 3, “Joe Davis,” Practice Paired Readings
p. 491
Story Map, p. 2, due
Present Paired Readings
Preparation for Frindle test
Frindle Comprehension Test
Catch up?
Review Midterm
Fri., May 2
Paired Readings
Week 17 Fri., May 9
FR COMP TEST
Week 18 Fri., May 16
Preparation for final
Review Frindle test
FINALS
Fri., May 23
FINAL
FINALS WEEK IS MAY 19 – 28, 2008.
The final for READ 880 is scheduled for Friday, May 23, in the regular classroom at the regular time.
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