REA 0003

COLLEGE PREP READING 3

Reference #551828
MWF11-11:50am
SYLLABUS
Instructor: Maribel Guenaga-Gonzalez
Miami Dade College – InterAmerican Campus
Spring 2009-2
Phone: 786-991-2269
Email: maribel.g.gonzalez@gmail.com
Website: www.imaginationfederation.org

COURSE DESCRIPTION
REA 0003 is a college preparatory reading course which builds vocabulary
skills, literal and critical comprehension skills, and successful reading
strategies. This course will also enhance and develop your independent
reading and thinking skills to prepare you for college level courses. Lab
required. Special fee. 4 credits

Pre-requisites: Computerized Placement Test (CPT) Reading subtest

score of 71-82 or successful completion of REA0002

Course Competencies
This course is designed for you to achieve the following competencies:
Competency 1: Advance vocabulary skills by:
✔ Using context clues and word analysis
✔ Increasing word knowledge through memorization and application
Competency 2: Advance literal comprehension skill by:
✔ Recognizing topic, topic sentences, stated main ideas
✔ Identifying major and minor supporting details
✔ Recognizing patterns of organization
✔ Identify relationships within and between sentences
✔ Recognizing stated central points in multi-paragraph selections
Competency 3: Advance critical comprehension skills by:
✔ Making inferences
✔ Drawing conclusions
✔ Recognizing implied main ideas
✔ Recognizing implied central points in multi-paragraph selections
✔ Distinguishing facts from opinions
✔ Recognizing author’s purpose and tone
✔ Determining author’s bias
✔ Evaluating arguments (reasoning)
Competency 4: Employ advanced improvement in reading strategies
through:
✔ Paraphrasing, mapping, and outlining materials
✔ Following oral and written directions
✔ Summarizing materials
✔ Improving test taking skills
Competency 5: Pass the Florida College Basic Reading Skills Exit Test
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Reading Lab program: myreadinglab.com (online access)
Novel: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

OR
Tools: A notebook, pen, #2 pencil
Assessment sheets: 10 scantron sheets (purchase first week at
InterAmerican Campus’ bookstore)

EXPECTATIONS
You are responsible for meeting the requirements of this syllabus. Some
additional expectations may develop throughout the semester; therefore, we
all need to collaborate to see it through.

RESPECT
We will be discussing some sensitive issues during this semester so it is
imperative that individual opinions be respected. While your classmates are
voicing their opinions, please listen and be considerate at all times. Always
be respectful even though you do not agree with them.
Please remember to turn off all cell phones as they turn attention away from
learning. If by some unexpected event your cell phone does ring, you are to
make up for that interrupted moment by bringing in some treats for the class
on our next meeting.

CLASS PARTICIPATION
It is important for you, your classmates, and me to create an environment
where there are ongoing stimulating conversations about the readings and
writings we encounter. Your responsibility in this class is not only to be a
reader, but also a writer, a listener, and a responder. To see that everyone
plays each role, you will need to complete the assignments by their due date
which will be posted on the website.
Come to class prepared with all materials. Failure to do so may result in
being asked to leave class and marked as absent for that class meeting. Time
is of essence so please arrive on time.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is required everyday. There will be activities and classroom
interactions that are invaluable and cannot be made-up; therefore,
attendance is essential. In the event of an absence, you are responsible for
obtaining class notes, information, and sending in your work via e-mail or
with a classmate. More than five cumulative absences from a MWF class may
cause your final course grade to drop one or more letter grades. If you have
more than three consecutive unexcused absences, you may be dropped from
the course without any notification as well. Constant tardiness and leaving
early will be counted as absences. Once you have been late to class two
times, your tardiness will be marked as an absence.
COLLEGE WIDE EXIT TEST/FINAL EXAM
Students must satisfy course requirements of an average score of 70% or
higher and meet all lab requirements to be eligible to take the Florida College
Basic Skills Exit Test. The state test’s passing score is 60% or higher.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
If you are unable to continue in this course, you must fill out an official
withdrawal form with the registrar’s office. If you do not officially withdraw,
you may receive a “U” in the course.
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all qualified
students enrolled in this course are entitled to reasonable accommodations. If
you feel you may need accommodations in this course, please notify me and
contact ACCESS ( A Comprehensive Center for Exceptional Student Services)
during the first week of class so that you may receive assistance early on in
the semester.

Course Evaluation
✔ Midterm/Final…………………………………………..30%
✔ Tests/Projects/Presentations…………………………25%
✔ Reading Lab…………………………………………....20%
✔ Quizzes…………………………. ……………………..15%
✔ Service-Learning……………………………………...10%

Midterm/Final
(30%)
Your midterm and final will consist of several items. The first item will be the
reflections for the novel. In the course’s website, you will find details for each
of the weekly reflections. The second item will be notes that you will take
while working on MyReadingLab.com. These notes will consist of the skills
assigned and will also include a reflection which will immediately follow the
notes. Also included in the midterm and final will be questions that pertain to
the skills covered during that time. As the semester progresses, we will talk
more about these items.
*Tests/Projects/Presentations
(25%)
There will be a variety of tests throughout the semester. Some will be based
on the skills found in the course competencies. In order to be eligible to
take the skills test, you must complete the reading lab assignments
for the corresponding skill/s the day before the exam. Other tests
may cover the readings from the novel, presentations, poems, vocabulary,
and articles. If you cannot attend a scheduled test, please contact me on or
before the date of the test so that we can work something out. Otherwise,
there are no make-up tests.
Also during the semester, there will be several presentations and projects.
Some will be done individually while the others will be done collaboratively..
Reading Lab
(20%)
Lab assignments are an integral part of this course as they enhance the
learning of the course’s skills. They are also required to pass this course.
Your goal is to complete all lab assignments to the best of your
ability and attain a score of 70% or higher on both the Practice Sets
and Test Sets. Scores for each skill will be inputted in the gradebook. Be
aware that all lab assignments will have a due date. If the assignments
are not completed by the due date, you will be unable to take the
Unit Test for those particular skills. Again, please note that all lab
assignments are required to be completed in order to pass this course.
*Quizzes
(15%)
Several quizzes will be administered during the semester. Some will be
announced while others will be unannounced. Make-ups for quizzes may be
rescheduled only due to an emergency or if you contact me before our class
meets on the date of the quiz.

*You are expected to follow the College’s Academic Honesty Policy. Cheating
and “borrowing” other students’ work will not be accepted and will result in a
zero on that exam or assignment.
Service-Learning (10 hours required)
(10%)
Service-learning is a hands-on experience that goes beyond what is learned
and experienced in the classroom. This semester you will have the
opportunity to experience several types of service-learning projects lead by
professors from other campuses. These will be posted on our website.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this semester, you will have been exposed to several of Miami
Dade College’s General Education Core Learning Outcomes and as a
graduate of Miami Dade College be able to:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and
writing skills.
2. Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical
data.
3. Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific
reasoning.
 4. Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and
historical perspectives.
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social
responsibilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues
in society.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10.Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of
humans on the environment.
GRADING POLICY
✔ A = 90% - 100%
✔ B = 80% - 89%
✔ C = 70% - 79%
✔ D = 60% - 69%
✔ F = 59% or less
FINAL GRADE
✔ S (Satisfactory): Pass the course with at least a 70% average (C), meet
all lab requirements, complete 10 hrs. or more of Service-Learning and
receive a score of 60% or higher on the Florida College Basic Reading
Skills Exit Test. (Register for ENC1101)
✔ P (Progress): Receive a score between 60% - 69% and/or not meet all
lab requirements (Retake REA0003)
✔ U (Unsatisfactory): Receive a score below 60% and/or not meet all lab
requirements (Retake REA0003) (NOTE: A “U” is equivalent to an “F”
in calculating the grade point average.)
✔ W (Withdraw): Retake REA 0003
IMPORTANT DATES
✔ Last day to drop classes and receive 100% refund: Monday, January 11,
2010
✔ Last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of W: Wednesday,
March 17, 2010
✔ Last day of classes: Friday, April 23, 2010
✔ Holidays – Classes will not meet on the following dates:
○ Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, Jan.18, 2010
○ President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 15, 2010
○ Spring Recess, Friday, April 2, 2010
I encourage you to meet with me as many times as you may
like to discuss any needs, questions, goals, or anything related
to your progress during the semester.