ENGL 10 – Essential Language Skills
SYLLABUS
ENGL 10 – Essential Language Skills
Course Description
This course explores an integrated approach to the mechanics of communication, emphasizing the practical
application of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Instruction in sentence structure, verb-tense agreement, and
punctuation strengthens the student’s written and oral communication skills. 3 units
Prerequisites/Co-Requisites
None
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
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Write paragraphs using various formats (cause and effect, comparison/contrast, persuasion, description, and
narration).
Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Edit their written sentences and paragraphs.
Prepare and give an oral presentation.
Instructor Information
Adrienne Williams, MS
April 2011
E-mail: jus22tuf@gmail.com
Phone: (916) 572-1712
Office Hours: As arranged
Wikispace: www.jus22tuf.wikispaces.com/English 10
Topics Covered
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Introduction: Importance of Communication, Classroom Policies, and Textbook
Recognizing the Elements of Good Writing
Working with Paragraphs: Topic Sentences and Controlling Ideas
Vocabulary
Working with Paragraphs: Supporting Details
Parts of Speech Review
Finding Subjects and Verbs in Simple Sentences
Making Subjects and Verbs Agree
Understanding Fragments and Phrases
Developing Paragraphs: Illustration
Combining Sentences Using Three Options for Coordination
Combining Sentences Using Subordination
Developing Paragraphs: Narration
Correcting Fragments and Run-Ons
Developing Paragraphs: Description
Choosing Correct Pronouns
Developing Paragraphs: Process Analysis
Correct Capitalization and Punctuation
Working with Adjectives, Adverbs, and Parallel Structure
Practicing Irregular Verbs
Mastering Verb Tenses
Review of Paragraph Writing
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Textbook(s)
Bundle ISBN: 1111289123
This bundle consists of:
Scarry, S. & Scarry, J. (2011). The Writer's Workplace with Readings: Building College Writing Skills (7th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. ISBN 1439082103
Merriam-Webster. (2004). The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. ISBN 087779930X
Robitaille, J. & Connelly, B. (2003). Writer’s Resources CD-ROM 2.0 ( 2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Cengage Learning. ISBN 0838406742
Grading
Exams
Projects and Assignments
Participation
40%
50%
10%
A grade of 90 percent or higher earns an A grade; 80 to 89 percent earns a B grade; 70 to 79 percent earns a C grade;
60 to 69 percent earns a D grade. A minimum grade of C is required in major courses or courses that are
prerequisites for advanced courses.
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COURSE AT A GLANCE
Week 1 Introductions/Ice Breakers/Review Syllabus/Classroom Policies
In Class: Chapter 1/ Prewriting Techniques/Basics Review/Strategies for the Active Reader (569)
Assignment: Reading Worksheet 1: “The Changing American Family” (p. 674) (due W2)
Journal Entry 1: What I expect out of this class… (due W10)
Week 2 QUIZ 1- Ch 1. & Basics Review
Vocabulary list assigned/class presentations (week 7)
In Class: Topic sentence/Controlling Idea
Assignment: Reading Worksheet 2: “Summer Reading” (pg. 620) (due W3)
Journal Entry 2 assigned (due W10)
Week 3 In Class: Subjects/Verbs/Prepositions
Assignment: Read. Worksheet 3: “Unforgettable Miss Bessie” (pg. 627) (due W4)
Journal Entry 3 assigned (due W10)
Week 4
Week 5
2/18
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
In Class: Subject/Verb Agreement
Review for Midterm Exam on W5: (Ch. 1-4)
Assignment: Reading Worksheet 4: “Why Don’t These Women Just Leave?” (p 682) (due W5)
Journal Entry 4 assigned (due W10)
Midterm Exam
Oral Presentations prep
In Class: Developing Paragraphs & Recognizing Fragments
Assignment: Reading Worksheet 5: “America’s Gambling Craze” (pg. 638) (due W6)
Journal Entry 5 assigned (due W10)
Oral Presentations
In Class: Combining Sentences
Assignment: Reading Worksheet 6: “Neat People vs. Sloppy People” (pg. 650) (due W7)
Journal Entry 6 assigned (due W10)
Quiz 2- Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Words
Review topics for Exam #2 on W8: (Ch. 5-8)
In Class: Correcting Run-Ons
Assignment: Reading Worksheet 7: “My Daughter Smokes” (pg. 596) (due W8)
Journal Entry 7 assigned (due W10)
Exam #2
Assignment: Reading Worksheet 8: “What is Intelligence, Anyway?” (pg. 669) (due W9)
Journal Entry 8 assigned (due W10)
Week 9
In Class: Choosing the Correct Pronoun; Capitalization; Punctuation
Journal Entry 9 assigned (due W10)
Week 10
In Class: Modifiers; Irregular Verbs
Final Exam Preparation
Week 11
Final Exam
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Homework:
Read Ch. 2 & 16
Reading Worksheet 1
Journal Entry 1
Homework:
Read Ch. 3 & Ch. 17
Reading Worksheet 2
Journal Entry 2
Homework:
Read Ch. 4
Reading Worksheet 3
Journal Entry 3
Homework:
Read Ch. 5 & 18
Reading Worksheet 4
Journal Entry 4
Homework:
Read Ch. 6, 7 & 19
Reading Worksheet 5
Journal Entry 5
Homework:
Read Ch. 8 & 20
Reading Worksheet 6
Journal Entry 6
Homework:
Read Ch. 13 & 21
Reading Worksheet 7
Journal Entry 7
Homework:
Read Ch. 9 & 10
Reading Worksheet 8
Journal Entry 8
Homework:
Read Ch 11 & 12
Journal Entry 9
Make-up work
Homework:
Review for Final
Exam
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Instructor’s Biography
Ms. Williams currently works for The County of Sacramento in the Department of Health & Human Services, where
she monitors mental health services for children who struggle in school due to their mental health issues. She has
worked in residential treatment in several capacities, ranging from establishing treatment goals and conducting
mental health assessments of children during her tenure with the Sacramento Children’s Home. She has also worked
at Sutter Center for Psychiatry with adults who had a variety of diagnoses, ranging from Bipolar Disorder to
Schizophrenia. Ms. Williams has a Master of Science degree in Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child
Development, both from California State University, Sacramento. This is Ms. Williams’ second year teaching at
Heald College.
Heald Policy Reminders
Heald College policies can be found in the Heald Academic Catalog. Please review the reminders below and, if
needed, refer to the Academic Catalog for complete policy details.
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Attendance Standards
Students are expected to attend all classes as scheduled, to arrive on time, and to remain until the end of each
class. Absences should occur only in the event of illness or unforeseen and unavoidable situations or
emergencies. Students should inform his/her instructor of planned absences in advance via email and/or
telephone.
This section applies only to residential courses offered on campus. Courses offered online have a separate
attendance policy.
All students are expected to attend classes beginning with the first day of each quarter or module. A new or
continuing student who has not attended during the add/drop period must attend the first class meeting(s)
immediately following the add/drop period in order to remain enrolled in the course or courses for the module
or quarter. If there is no attendance in any courses at the completion of the first class meeting(s) following the
add/drop period, the student’s enrollment will be cancelled.
If there is attendance in some, but not all of the courses at the completion of the first class meeting immediately
following the add/drop period, the student may continue his/her enrollment in the courses attended. Registration
in those courses not attended will be cancelled and the grade of NS will be recorded for those courses on the
student’s academic record for that quarter. If a student does not attend a class meeting during the ‘add/drop’
period a grade of NS may be recorded. If a student does post attendance during the add/drop period and then
class is dropped after the ‘add/drop’ period a grade of W will be recorded.
A student who is absent 14 or more consecutive calendar days in a course will be withdrawn from the course.
Students who are absent from all scheduled classes for 14 or more consecutive calendar days will be withdrawn
from school. In those classes where the 14th day falls on a holiday or a non class scheduling pattern, the
determination will be deferred to the next regularly scheduled meeting of that class. Saturdays and Sundays are
included in the consecutive absence count. Holidays and break days are excluded.
Students are expected to immediately contact their instructor when they expect to be absent from a scheduled
class or classes. Students whose attendance falls below 70% may be subject to additional attendance monitoring
requirements and conditions as needed to promote good attendance and academic success.
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Tardy or Early Departure from Class
There may be occasions when students enter after a class has started or may have reason to leave before the end
of a class. Students are expected to inform their instructor in advance and enter or leave class quietly,
minimizing any disruption. Heald College has established a maximum number of times a student may be tardy
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or depart from a course early. Attendance monitoring may be required when students reach the maximum
number of times tardy or early departures.
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Makeup Policy
Each student has the opportunity to make up one missed major in-class graded event. Your instructor will
inform you of which graded events fall into this category in this course.
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Professional Appearance
At Heald College, student appearance standards have been established to be at or above those normally required
in a professional business, industry, or healthcare workplace. The dress standard helps prepare a student for the
workplace and fosters a professional appearance, which is a positive factor in job placement. The professional
appearance policy is discussed in the enrollment process and is available in the Academic Affairs office.
Following medical or dental professional dress practices, healthcare students are required to wear appropriate
medical or dental uniforms.
Instructor’s Classroom Policies
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Participation guidelines- students are expected to participate fully. This includes class discussions, asking
questions, and respecting the comments/questions/opinions of fellow students.
Late assignment policy- Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made with
Instructor. Please do not attempt to turn in late work without making arrangements with me first.
Cell phones/pagers- CELL PHONES AND PAGERS MUST BE TURNED OFF OR ON SILENT DURING
CLASS. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! If you must answer, please step outside.
Attendance/Tardiness- Students are expected to be in class, on time, ready to work. If you come to class late,
it is your responsibility to let me know, or you may be marked absent if role has been taken.
NO food, drinks or gum chewing will be allowed in the classroom, per Heald policy. You are allowed to have
bottled water for which you have a lid.
Professional Behavior- Students are expected to conduct themselves as professionals at all times. This will
include your adherence to the dress code, communicating respectfully with colleagues, and maintaining an
attitude of professionalism at all times. I will not tolerate offensive language in the classroom!
Professional Dress- Please refer to Heald’s Dress Code Policy. I will ask you to leave class if you are not in
dress code. You will be required to go to Academic Affairs and then immediately return with a pass.
One Make-up test will only be permitted in the event of an emergency. It will be your responsibility to
arrange to make up a missed test. Tests should be made up by the beginning of the next class.
Computers are to be used only when you are instructed, and only for school related activities. I will announce
when it is appropriate to use the computers. Class time will not be used to make up outstanding work. I will
give one warning for using computers at inappropriate times, and then you will be asked to leave class.
Instructor’s Really Strong Suggestion ☺
I suggest that you exchange telephone numbers with at least two classmates who would be willing to exchange
information about work missed while away from class.
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Portfolio
A portfolio represents the assembly of – and reflection upon – the depth and breadth of learning that has taken place
at Heald College during your program of study. It can be used during the job interview process to highlight the skills
and knowledge gained throughout your education.
You should start saving key assignments from each class in your first quarter at Heald College. You will select those
documents that best highlight your skill development throughout your time at Heald. In general, the portfolio should
contain evidence of learning related to your program’s outcomes including written communication, business,
computer and keyboarding skills, as well as interpersonal skills and teamwork. Consult with your instructor on
strategies for collecting evidence.
We recommend creating both an electronic and paper storage system and storing evidence as you complete each
course in your program. You can create a folder in your P: drive titled “Portfolio” in which to place portfolio
documents. You can also buy a two-inch binder and start saving paper copies of your work.
Turnitin
Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity
review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents
in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the
Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site.
(not this quarter)
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