Leeward Community College
Language Arts Division
Course Syllabus
English 8 Reading and Writing Basics Credits: 6
Spring 2008 Mr. Dayle Turner, Asst. Prof. Office: LA-206
Office Hours: MWF: 815-845am & 11-1145am. T/TH 8:15am to 8:45am &11:45am-12:15pm. Other times by appointment.
Contact Information: 455-0258 turner@hawaii.edu
Homework website: http://eng8mwf.blogspot.com/ (MWF class)
http://eng8tth.blogspot.com/ (T/Th class)
Catalog course description: English 8 is a course focused on building basic reading, writing, and study skills needed to succeed in college. Through continual practice in the reading and writing processes, students gain fluency and self-confidence in their ability to comprehend and create simple texts. Reading like a writer and writing like a reader, students expand their vocabulary, identify main points, and locate supporting details in what they read and write. They produce paragraphs and short essays based on personal experiences and assigned readings. Students study sentence structure and address common grammar and usage problems in the context of their own reading and writing. They use computers and word processing programs to produce their compositions.
Prerequisites: None
Recommended preparation: None
Textbooks and other resources:
1. The Confident Reader. By Carol Kanar
2. Sentence Skills (Form B). By John Langan
3. Note paper or loose-leaf paper and folder; 20-lb. weight bond paper.
4. Black or blue ballpoint pen and a pencil for notetaking, tests, and various in-class work.
5. Index cards, 3x5 inch, 100 cards.
Student Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of English 8, students should be able to complete the following as independent learners:
1. Identify and point out the main ideas (thesis statements and topic sentences) and supporting details in paragraphs and short articles.
2. Summarize, in their own words, main ideas from paragraphs and short articles.
3. Locate words in a dictionary using guide words.
4. Identify and point out the parts of a dictionary entry.
5. Increase number of known word meanings and comprehension by using context clues.
6. Identify, point out and explain the functions of the parts of a textbook such as the preface, table of contents, glossary, index, and typographical aids.
7. Use a writing process that includes drafting, editing, and proofreading.
8. Write paragraphs of half a page and short compositions of one to two pages that have main ideas (thesis statements and topic sentences) supported by specific details that are logically organized.
9. Edit and proofread writing to correct basic sentence errors.
á The reading and writing activities are related to each other. English 8 students spend approximately 50% of the time learning and practicing reading strategies, reading and discussing various articles and chapters, writing answers to comprehension questions, and discussing their answers in class discussions.
á For approximately 50% of the time, students learn grammar rules and concepts, write paragraphs and essays, revise and discuss them, and practice editing skills.
Grading Policy: The final grade will be determined as follows:
á A = 90-100% of possible points.
á B = 80-89 % of possible points.
á C = 65-79% of possible points
á D = 55-64% of possible points
á F= less than 55 % of possible points.
Students must earn a grade of C or higher in Eng 8 to enroll in Eng 18/19.
Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) and believe that you may need accommodations in this class, contact the instructor privately to discuss specific needs. Also, please contact the Kako'o 'Ike (KI) Program office at 455-0421 in the Library Building (Room L208, near the elevator entrance) as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
Course requirements and rules:
á Late work policy: Past due work will be accepted no later than one (1) class period after it was due. Late work will be assessed a 10% penalty.
á Plagiarism (using the work/ideas of another without giving credit) or cheating (e.g. copying the test answers from another student) will result in a zero for that assignment. Repeated instances of plagiarism or cheating will result in a failing grade (F) for the class.
á If you miss a test or quiz, you may be given a chance to retake another form of the test or quiz. If another form of the test does not exist, then a zero will be recorded for a missed test.
á Come on time to class and stay until the end of class. Late arrivers and early departers cause distractions to other learners in the class.
á As long as no distractions are caused for others, eating and drinking is allowable in class. Please dispose of any trash you make.
á Always bring your two textbooks to class.
á Keep cell phones/pagers on vibrate/silent mode during class (see the instructor if you must keep a cell phone on for emergency purposes).
á No use of audio devices (CD players, walkmans, Ipods, etc) during class.
á Some papers must be typed or wordprocessed (instructor will announce which ones). Use 12-point font size. Acceptable fonts are Times, Times New Roman, Arial, & Helvetica. Papers should be double-spaced.