English for Academic Purposes Course: English for Academic Purposes Instructor: Eveline Verniers Hours per week: 4

Course Description This course aims to aid students in improving their note-taking, reading and presentation skills at a high school academic level. Students will be able to take comprehensive notes, increase their level of fluency, comprehension and vocabulary development.

Course Content I. Reading for Fluency and Comprehension a. Teacher models fluent reading by correct phrasing, expression and pacing. b. Before providing a text, teacher first introduces a critical list of sight words that might cause comprehension problems for students. c. Students practice fluency with a variety of academically related texts (textbooks of different high school subjects) using choral and repetitive oral reading. d. Perform an oral script for a readers theater.

II.

Developing Effective Note-Taking Skills a. Students create two-column notes to differentiate between important key words and their definitions/explanations/details. b. Students learn to disregard irrelevant information or information already known to them.

English for Academic Purposes c. Rephrasing notes in own words. d. Developing effective listening skills.

III.

Creating a Presentation a. Students provide a clear and concise presentation on a chosen topic. b. Students clearly portray their knowledge to an audience. c. Students ideas are supported by valid resources/references. d. Students appear relaxed, confident and maintain eye contact with the audience. e. Students speak clearly with appropriate inflection and volume.

Objective This course aims to aid students in: taking effective notes thinking critically developing skills to increase reading fluency reading with comprehension of academically-related vocabulary reading confidently creating a convincing presentation developing skills to engage an audience during a presentation

Learning Outcomes On completion of this course, students will be able to implement their learned skills effectively in other subject areas.

English for Academic Purposes develop effective note-taking skills select relevant key words in lectures and notes reading fluently to gain understanding of a text engaging an audience during a presentation

Materials high school textbooks for all subject areas pen, paper, journal notebook and binder

Assessment (100%) In-Class activities (10%) Participation (10%) Homework Assignments (15%) Quizzes (15%) Readers Theater Performance (15%) Presentation (15%) Final Exam (20%)

Course Requirements 1. Students participate actively and respectfully in class discussions, note-taking and answering questions. Notebook checks will be taken at random.

English for Academic Purposes 2. Students are required to have writing supplies as well as college-ruled paper and a threering binder.

3. The class will be administered using the direct instruction approach with a time of guided instruction/practice as well as individual practice and group discussions. 4. Students study notes, texts and skills regularly outside of class instruction time. 5. Students choose a topic of interest to present on (introduction, three different aspects and conclusion). The presentation should be between 5-10 minutes and no notes are allowed. 6. Students will be notified of which textbook to bring to class. 7. Teacher is available to students before and after class as well as by email.

Week

Topic

Activity Students and teacher discuss the importance of planning and organization. Develop and create

Study Skills individual goals for this course specific to each students personal needs. Students create two-column notes for definitions, concepts, and grammar rules. They learn how to

Introduction to the Course summarize their notes. They learn how to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information.

English for Academic Purposes Teacher uses relevant and engaging texts to practice reading fluency by

modeling and having students repeat. 3 Reading for Fluency Modeling and Practice Students learn the strategies of phrasing, expression, pacing, voice and volume. Students identify unknown 4 Reading for Fluency Sight Words vocabulary in texts and define them for more comprehension. Students practice reading fluency through choral and repetitive reading of their personal high school Reading for Fluency Choral and Repetitive 5 Reading layout and different components that make up their textbook and where they can find the information they need. Students choose a script that they will perform in a readers theater. 6 Reading for Fluency Choosing a script Students read through scripts of differing levels of difficulty. They choose one script to perform. 7 Reading for Fluency - Readers Theater Students practice and create props textbooks. They understand the

English for Academic Purposes for their readers theater. They perform in front of teacher and peers.

Students choose relevant information to include in their notes. Sample 8 Note-Taking Skills in General lectures will help students become effective note takers. Students practice their note-taking skills for different subject areas. 9 Dissecting High School Textbooks They use current classes and homework assignments to practice. Students spend time in the library to figure out a topic that they are 10 Choosing a Topic for Presentation passionate about and that they want to present to their peers Students create a topic outline on 11 Presentation Topic Outline three different aspects of their chosen subject. Students use the Internet to identify valid resources for their paper. They 12 Presentation Rough Draft - Resources research their chosen topics in depth and create a rough draft for their presentation.

English for Academic Purposes

7 Students practice different skills and tools for an effective presentation

13

Presentation Skills and Tools

(voice, volume, presentation techniques, presentation layout and color schemes). Students work on creating their final

14

Creating the Final Draft

draft of their presentation and studying for the written exam. Students present their presentations

15

Written Exam and Presentations and take a written exam.

English for Academic Purposes References Blau, L. (n.d.). TEACHERS. Scholastic Teachers. Retrieved February 23, 2014, from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/5-surefire-strategies-developing-readingfluency Brummitt-Yale, J. (n.d.). Reading Fluency and Instruction. Reading Worksheets Grammar Comprehension Lesson Plans. Retrieved February 23, 2014, from http://www.k12reader.com/reading-fluency-and-instruction/ Dodds, T. (Director) (2013, October 25). Reading for Fluency. Professional Development. Lecture conducted from James Irwin Charter School, Colorado Springs.