73-858-726 73-851-727Reading 2/Writing 2
Course Information
Description
Students learn to identify the main idea and supporting details, draw conclusions, summarize, and distinguish between fact/opinion.  Reading lessons are drawn from the reading texts listed and authentic readings (online news, short stories, short novels.) Writing skills include parts of speech, verb tenses, phrases, independent and dependent clauses, sentence structure, and paragraph development.  Writing lessons are drawn from the writing texts listed and online resources. Students prepare for post-tests through lessons from TABE Fundamentals Reading and TABE Fundamentals in Language and Spelling.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Employ basic reading strategies to process written materials
    Assessment Strategies
    in a skill demonstration in response to a variety of printed and/or technology-based materials including functional/workplace/life skill readings, prose, poetry, and drama
    individually or in small groups
    in class/lab or simulated real-life or workplace situations in using computer-aided technology
    Criteria
    you comprehend reading by using strategies: activating prior knowledge, establishing purpose, self-correcting, self-monitoring, rereading, making predictions, finding context clues, developing visual images, applying knowledge of text structures, etc
    you relate written text and visual representations to create meaning
    you use organizational features of text, such as headings, paragraphs, and format, to improve understanding
    you identify a purpose for reading, such as to gain information, to learn about a viewpoint, or for enjoyment

  2. Interpret a range of culturally diverse printed and electronically generated materials
    Assessment Strategies
    in a skill demonstration in response to a variety of printed and/or technology based materials including practical reading, prose, poetry, and drama
    individually or in small groups
    in class/lab or simulated real-life or workplace situations
    Criteria
    you analyze story structure, such as sequence of events, cause/effect, character, plot, and setting, in order to reflect on meaning
    you relate reading to prior knowledge and current experience using a reservoir of reading materials, such as functional, workplace, life skill, and a wide-range of culturally diverse materials
    you extend the literal meaning using critical thinking skills to make inferences and evaluate the significance and validity
    you identify and summarize main ideas and key points you select a variety of materials to read for discovery, appreciation, and enjoyment, summarize the readings, and connect them to prior knowledge and experience

  3. Read to acquire information
    Assessment Strategies
    in a skill demonstration in response to a variety of printed and/or technology-based materials including functional/workplace/life skill reading, prose, poetry, and drama
    individually or in small groups
    in class/lab or simulated real-life or workplace situations
    Criteria
    you summarize key details of informational texts, connecting new information to prior knowledge
    you identify a topic of interest then seek information by investigating available resources

  4. Develop vocabulary of words, phrases, and idioms to improve communication
    Assessment Strategies
    in a skill demonstration in response to a variety of printed and/or technology-based materials including functional/workplace/life skill reading, prose, poetry, and drama
    individually or in small groups
    in class/lab or simulated real-life or workplace situations
    Criteria
    you consult dictionaries, thesauruses, and other resources to find and compare definitions, choose among synonyms, and spell words correctly
    you demonstrate usage of vocabulary related to workplace, health/safety, educational, and financial literacies

  5. Use correct grammar
    Assessment Strategies
    in written sentences and paragraphs
    in oral communication
    in simulated life and work situations
    Criteria
    you use correct forms of regular verbs
    you write using singular and plural nouns that do not end in "s" (child--children...)
    you use nouns and verbs accurately
    you correctly use adjectives to describe nouns
    you correctly use adverbs in oral and written communication you identify simple parts of speech, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, and conjunctions

  6. Apply rules of mechanics
    Assessment Strategies
    in simple written sentences and paragraphs
    by using reference material
    in simulated life and work situations
    Criteria
    you access reference materials as needed
    you correctly use commas to separate items in a series, in dates, in places, in the greeting and closing of a friendly letter, and in compound sentences
    you use capitalization for names, the pronoun "I", proper nouns, days of the week, months of the year, social titles, and geographic areas

  7. Compose complete sentences
    Assessment Strategies
    by writing simple sentences
    by using resource material
    in simulated life and work situations
    in paraphrasing simple sentences
    Criteria
    you compose complete simple and compound sentences using standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
    you connect thoughts logically

  8. Create written documents
    Assessment Strategies
    by creating and modifying simple written materials
    by accessing resources from the library, Internet, interviews and other sources
    in simulated life and work situations
    in writing paragraphs
    Criteria
    you identify the main idea in a self-composed paragraph
    you follow the steps in the writing process (prewrite, draft, revise, edit, write final draft)
    you compose simple paragraphs
    you complete prewriting organization activities
    you produce a written final draft using legible handwriting or using a computer
    you organize information
    you select necessary information
    you elaborate on a topic
    you write a friendly letter