Fall 2010
CM087
Reading Comprehension
2 Credit Hour
Division of Humanities
Instructor: Susan Regan
Reading Comprehension
Course Number:
CM087
Time & Day:
various hours
Location:
Room 210
Instructor:
Sue Regan
Office:
Room 210
Phone:
785-243-1435 ext. 230
Email:
sregan@cloud.edu
Required
Materials:
Voices and Values
Goldstein and Johnson
Townsend Press
Office Hours: 8:00 – 5:00 PM
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Principle comprehension strategies include finding vocabulary in context, critical thinking for main ideas and detail,
inferences, summarizing, and identifying patterns of organization. General interest stories are used to improve reading
skills.
METHOD OF EVALUATION/GRADING:
The student will be evaluated with a letter grade as follows:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
The points from the final Nelson/Denny Reading Test will affect the student’s overall score in the following manner:
Same level 0-9%--80-89%
Increase 10-19%--90-99%
Increase +20% --100%
Total points for all assignments and tests will affect the total possible points for the class. The overall grade will be
determined as follows:
Vocabulary Quizzes
20%
Writing Assignments
40%
Nelson/Denny Test
20%
Book Reports
20%
TEACHING METHODS:
This is a read and discussion class. Stories will be assigned for each session. Students will be prepared
to discuss the main ideas of the stories and the reading skills involved. Supplemental material will be
available for students for reinforcement of concepts. Writing assignments will be used to provide means
of responses to the reading material
ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
Students are expected to come prepared for each class. Reading assignments, writing assignments, and story
activities will be due for each session. Assignments that are not completed will slow the progression of the
class.
HOMEWORK:
All homework is due each class period per the date listed on the assignment sheet. Homework will not be
accepted any later than one class period from the date listed. Students are to come to class with homework
prepared.
TESTS:
Tests must be completed within a week of the date listed. After that time, the test will no longer be available.
This is important in order to be able to finish the course within the time allotted. Notes and books cannot be
used on tests.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Your attendance is necessary for your success in class. Students are permitted two absences without penalty.
For every unexcused absence beyond the second, students lose 1% from their final grade. Failure to attend class
will affect your grade accordingly. REWARD: Students who have no absences for the entire semester will have
2% added to their final overall average.
COURSE POLICIES
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
It is imperative that each student does his/her own work. The following policy will apply to all students in
class.
Infractions of academic integrity (honesty) shall include:
 Using another student’s work without giving the student credit for the work. In other words, taking
someone else’s file and placing your name on it and claiming it is yours, using another student’s quiz, or
help on a quiz/exam.
 Giving another student your file(s) knowing that he/she intends to turn it in as his/her own creation,
giving another student your quiz, or help on a quiz/exam.
It is not an infraction of the policy to help another student understand how to do an assignment if he/she does
the work himself/herself with your assistance.
Cheating:
“Cheating means getting unauthorized help on an assignment, quiz or examination.”
1. You must not receive from any other students or give to any other students any information, answers, or
help during an exam.
2. You must not use unauthorized sources for answers during an exam. You must not take notes or books
to the exam when such aids are forbidden, and you must not refer to any book or notes while you are
taking the exam unless the instructor indicates it is an “open book” exam.
3. You must not obtain exam questions illegally before an exam or tamper with an exam after it has been
corrected.
Materials taken from “Academic Dishonesty in Our Classrooms.” Instructional Exchange, 1990, 2 (2), 1-4 (Newsletter available from the Office of
University Assessment and Intellectual Skills Program, Western Michigan University)
Plagiarism:
“Plagiarism” means submitting work as your own that is someone else’s. For example, copying material from a
book, the Internet, or another source without acknowledging that the words or ideas are someone else’s and not
your own is plagiarism. If you copy an author’s words exactly, treat the passage as a direct quotation and
supply the appropriate citation. If you use someone else’s ideas, even if you paraphrase the wording,
appropriate credit should be given. You have committed plagiarism if you purchase a term paper or submit a
paper as your own that you did not write.
PENALTIES FOR INFRACTIONS:
The student may be advised to drop the course. A failing grade will be given for the assignment.
THE STUDENT MUST CONTACT THE SWITCHBOARD OR INSTRUCTOR’S EMAIL IN THE
EVENT OF ABSENCE.
CONDUCT:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in appropriate manner at all times.
EXAMINATION POLICY:
Final examinations will be given before finals week. As this is a two credit class, the course of study should be
completed early. Should a student not complete the course before finals week, assignments will be collected
and tests will be given, but no instruction of concepts will be discussed.
INSTRUCTOR ASSISTANCE:
Instructor is available during office hours.
TUTOR ASSISTANCE:
Tutors are available in the Learning Skills Center. Contact the Learning Skills Center for more information.
INCOMPLETE POLICY:
Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented as described
in the Student Handbook. The incomplete must be made up with the instructor assigning the incomplete and
must be completed the semester immediately following the semester in which the class was taken. Refer to the
Student Handbook for a complete explanation.
ACADEMIC COMPLAINTS:
Cloud County Community College has an Academic Due Process Policy to address any student academic
complaints. For any unresolved complaints, the policy can be obtained from the Academic Affairs Office.
COURSE GOALS (Student Learning Outcomes):
Upon completion of the course, the student will:
1. develop contextual vocabulary skills
2. use main ideas and supporting details to improve comprehension
3. use transitions to determine patterns of organization
4. use inferential thinking to comprehend material
5. summarize and outline an article
6. develop reading skills in long selections
ASSESSMENT of COURSE GOALS:
Reading skills will be assessed for reading comprehension through the use of tests. Student will increase
reading level as measured by the Nelson/Denny Reading Test.
ACCOMMODATION FOR DISABILITY:
If you need academic adjustments for any type of disability, see your instructor during office hours or make an
appointment. Students also may contact the Director of Advisement and Counseling, located in the Advisement
Center.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
In case of extremely severe weather, the college may close. The following radio and TV stations will be
notified:
KNCK
1390 AM
Concordia
KCLY
101 FM
Clay Center
KREP
92.1 FM
Belleville
KHCD
89.5 FM
Hutchinson
KVSV
1190 AM
Beloit
KSAL
1150 AM
Salina
WIBW (TV) Chan. 13
Topeka
KWCH (TV) Chan. 12
Wichita
KOLN (TV) Chan. 10
Lincoln, NE
You may also go to www.cancellations.com
Students should call the switchboard at 800-729-5101 or 785-243-1435 if they are unable to attend class due to
hazardous conditions. Night class and off campus class cancellations are left to the discretion of the instructor.