Writing and Reading
Success Center
Student
and
Faculty Orientation
Fall 2015
What is the Writing and Reading Success Center?
It is a place on campus where friendly, knowledgeable
instructors, tutors, and staff help students . . .

improve their understanding of key concepts and terms in
English and reading

develop their papers at each stage of the writing process

develop reading and annotation strategies for use in all
their courses

learn how to transfer reading and writing strategies to
content courses

prepare for upcoming class topics

become independent, confident, successful learners
Supplemental Learning Activities
Workshop

Instructor-led, interactive, hands-on activity covering a
relevant, class-related topic
Directed Study Group (DSG)

Tutor-led, small group, hands-on activity covering a relevant,
class-related topic
Directed Learning Activity (DLA)

Work independently on an instructor-created assignment
including specific interaction with an instructor or tutor at the
beginning and end of the activity
Specific Supplemental Learning Activities
are offered for . . .
English 1*
Reading 83
English 105
Reading 82
English 801
Reading 883
Each course requires
the completion of (3)
activities.
Reading 881
*optional
Each course requires
the completion of (3)
activities.
English SLA Requirement


All students enrolled in either
English 105 or 801 (face-to-face,
hybrid, and online) are required
to complete three activities
according to recommended
deadlines.
The requirement may be met by
completion of (3) of the following
in any combination: Workshop,
DSG, and/or DLA.

These activities are designed to
reinforce and prepare you for
essential concepts covered in
your English class.

Plan for a minimum of one hour
to work through the activity as
well as discuss your
understanding of the concepts
you learned with an instructor
and/or tutor one-on-one.

Supplemental Learning Activities are
part of the grade for your class (5% of
the overall grade).

You may complete no more than one
(1) Supplemental Learning Activity for
your English class per day.

Check to see when the Center closes –
you don’t want to wait too long to
complete these activities!
List of English Activities
Eng
lish
801
English 105
Understanding the Prompt
2. Thesis Statements
3. Topic Sentences and Paragraph
Unity
4. Organizing Your Ideas
5. Summary and Analysis
6. Quoting and Paraphrasing
7. Understanding Phrases and Clauses
8. Fixing Fragments, Run-ons, and
Comma Splices
9. How to Use Commas
10. Identifying Subjects and Verbs
11. Subject-Verb Agreement
12. Basics of MLA Documentation
1.
Special Activity Now Available !
Writer’s Workshop – Bring your own rough draft to this instructor-led workshop. **Only offered as a workshop and
must be prearranged**
List of English Activities
English 1
(Optional)
1. Understanding the Prompt
2. Thesis Statements
3. Topic Sentences and Paragraph Unity
4. Organizing Your Ideas
5. Summary and Analysis
6. Quoting and Paraphrasing
7. Understanding Phrases and Clauses
8. Fixing Fragments, Run-ons, and Comma Splices
9. How to Use Commas
10.Identifying Subjects and Verbs
11.Subject-Verb Agreement
12.Basics of MLA Documentation
Special Activity Now Available!
Writer’s Workshop – Bring your own rough draft to this instructor-led
workshop. **Only offered as a workshop and must be prearranged**
Which English Supplemental Learning Activity
should I choose?

First, ask your instructor. Your instructor may have assigned
specific SLA topics for your class.

Second, think about what has been going on in class. Consider
choosing an SLA that reinforces, clarifies, and/or expands your
understanding of a specific concept that has been presented in
class.

Third, review feedback from returned papers and other
assignments. Pay particular attention to specific comments and
suggestions. Consider using this feedback to guide your SLA
selection.

Fourth, speak with one of our instructors or tutors for
suggestions.
Reading SLA Requirement

Students enrolled in Read 83,
82, 883, and 881 are required to
complete three activities
according to specific deadlines.

The requirement may be met by
completion of (3) of the following
in any combination: Workshop,
Directed Study Group (DSG),
and/or DLA.

Only one (1) Reading SLA may be
completed during each specified
period.

These activities are designed to
reinforce and prepare you for
essential concepts covered in your
Reading class.

Plan for a minimum of one hour to
work through the activity as well as
discuss your understanding of the
concepts you learned with an
instructor and/or tutor one-on-one.

Supplemental Learning Activities are
part of the grade for your class (5% of
the overall grade).

Check to see when the Center
closes – you don’t want to wait too
long to complete these activities!
List of Reading Activities
Read 82 & 83
Read 883
1.
Utilizing Context Clues
1.
Vocabulary in Context
2.
Reading Academic Text
2.
3.
Understanding an Author’s
Argument
Differentiating Between
General and Specific
3.
Determining Topics and Main
Ideas
Read 881
**Reading activities must be
completed in accordance
with SLA completion dates.
1.
Utilizing the Dictionary
2.
Vocabulary of Directions
3.
Recognizing General and
Specific Ideas
Workshops
Available at LAC & PCC

If you like working in a group, then you may enjoy attending one of
our engaging instructor-led workshops.

Our workshops typically focus on topics related to the Directed
Learning Activities, so we highly recommend you attend at least one
workshop as part of your three required activities.

Reservations are recommended. Walk-ins welcome, if space and
time allows.

Workshops last approximately 50 minutes and start on time, so
please arrive early.

To find out what the weekly workshop schedule is, please

visit the Center

check our website: http://www.lbcc.edu/WRSC/index.cfm

call 562-938-4520 (LAC) or 562-938-3991 (PCC)
Directed Study Groups
Available at LAC & PCC
If you like collaborating with a small group of your peers, you may
enjoy attending a Directed Study Group (DSG).
Directed Study Groups . . .

focus on relevant, class-related topics.

are facilitated by a tutor who has been mentored by an instructor.

can be scheduled by reservation. Walk-ins welcome, if space and time
allow.

are approximately 50 minutes and start on time.

To view the weekly workshop schedule, please:

visit the Center

check our website: http://www.lbcc.edu/WRSC/index.cfm

call 562-938-4520 (LAC) or 562-938-3991 (PCC)
Directed Learning Activities
Available at LAC & PCC

DLAs are geared towards students who enjoy working independently.

These instructor-created learning activities cover relevant class concepts and are meant to
support students as they progress throughout the semester.

Each activity takes about 60-90 minutes and includes interaction with a tutor and/or
instructor.

DLAs do not require an appointment and may be completed during regular Center hours—
however, our Center staff stops handing out DLAs one hour prior to closing.

Students may only complete one (1) DLA per day, per subject.

DLAs are unavailable one hour before the Center closes.
Tutoring
Available at LAC & PCC

At the Center, we offer free drop-in and scheduled one-on-one tutoring.

Our tutors and faculty are available to help you with the following class-related
work:

Writing assignments

Reading assignments

Vocabulary review

Research projects

Homework

(LAC & PCC) Drop-in tutoring sessions are limited to 15 minutes per session. At
least one hour of independent work must take place between drop-in tutoring
sessions.

(LAC Only) Scheduled tutoring sessions are 30 minutes and require an
appointment.

Students must also bring their class assignment and materials to this focused tutoring session.

Only two 30-minute sessions are available per day.

At least one hour of independent work must take place between scheduled tutoring sessions.
Additional Resources
o
Computers are available for academic purposes, such as . . .
o
writing papers
o
online research
o
grammar assistance
o
reading skills improvement
o
We also offer advanced learning activities on class-related topics along with enrichment
activities that include software, handouts, course material, videos, and textbooks.
o
Printing and photocopying are available and require the use of a copy card, which may be
purchased in the Center.
o
A quiet, supportive environment for studying and working on homework is available for all
students.
o
Our Website contains a variety of helpful, class-related handouts on English and reading
topics : Writing and Reading Success Center Website
Visiting the Center
When you visit the Center, you will be expected to . . .
o
Check in at the front counter.
o
Provide a photo ID (your student ID card or driver’s license).
o
Tell us the class you are enrolled in.
o
Please tell us what you would like to do.
o
Please remember to plan on spending at least one hour in the Center to complete a Workshop, DLA, or Directed Study Group.
o
You may complete no more than one (1) Supplemental Learning Activity per day per subject.
o
Check to see when the Center closes – you don’t want to wait too long to complete these activities!
SLA Verification Process
o
After completing a workshop, DSG, or DLA, the
tutoring staff will sign and date your activity
materials.
o
To complete the process, the front counter staff
will stamp your activity materials. The
signature, date, and stamp verify that you have
successfully completed the SLA.
o
To receive class credit for the SLA, you must
submit your signed, dated, and stamped SLA
materials to your instructor. It is important to
remember that your instructor may wish to
review your work and may also tie the activity
to a class assignment.
SLA Dates for Fall 2015
Activity #1 (Monday, August 31-Saturday, September 26)

Workshops, DLAs, and Directed Study Groups are available

Students may complete one (1) SLA per day per subject
Activity #2 (Monday, September 28-Saturday, October 31)

Workshops, DLAs, and Directed Study Groups are available

Students may complete one (1) SLA per day per subject
Activity #3 (Monday, November 2-Friday, December 4)*

Workshops, DLAs, and Directed Study Groups available

Students may complete one (1) SLA per day per subject
*Monday, November 30-Friday, December 4

Workshops & Directed Study Groups only

Students may complete one (1) SLA per day per subject
**Important: Your instructor may have set earlier deadlines for the completion of SLAs, so refer to your
syllabus and confirm due dates with your instructor.
**To avoid a potentially long wait, DO NOT procrastinate!
Fall 2015 Hours and Locations
LAC (E09L)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us:
Building “E”
Lower Level
Monday – Thursday
8:00am-8:00pm
Friday
8:00am-2:00pm
Saturday
Writing and Reading Success Center (LAC)
 Daren Smoley, Instructional Specialist
(562) 938-4731
dsmoley@lbcc.edu
 Megan Keebler, Instructional Lab Coordinator
(562) 938-4524
mkeebler@lbcc.edu
10:00am-2:00pm
Multidisciplinary Success Center (PCC)
 Heidi Neu, Instructional Specialist
(562) 938-3979
hneu@lbcc.edu
PCC
(EE206)
2nd Floor
EE Building
 Elizabeth Sarvis, Instructional Lab Coordinator
(562) 938-3978
esarvis@lbcc.edu