74858742Academic Reading 4
Course Information
Description
This eight-week, graded course is a continuation of Academic Reading 3.  The course builds skills in vocabulary development, reading comprehension, summarizing, and critical thinking (inferences, fact/opinion, relationships of ideas, basics of argument.)  Students learn to write summaries and responses to readings that demonstrate understanding of text structures.  Skills are acquired using readings from the required textbook and a variety of authentic non-fiction and fiction sources.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Employ reading strategies to process written materials.
    Assessment Strategies
    in a skill demonstration in response to a variety of printed and multimedia 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 apply word recognition skills using a variety of strategies including rereading, finding context clues, and knowledge of letter-sound relationships, and analyzing word structures
    you select reading rate strategies and techniques based on purpose and difficulty of material
    you infer the meaning of unfamiliar words in the context of a passage by examining known words, phrases and structures
    you demonstrate phonemic awareness by using letter/sound relationships as aids to pronouncing and understanding unfamiliar words and text
    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 read aloud and silently with level-appropriate fluency, accuracy, and expression
    you relate written texts and visual representations to create meaning
    you use knowledge of sentence and word structure, word origins, visual images and context clues to understand unfamiliar words and clarify passages of text
    you establish purposeful reading by using texts to find information, gain understanding of diverse viewpoints, make decisions, and enjoy the experience of reading
    you select, summarize, paraphrase, analyze, and evaluate passages of texts chosen for specific purposed

  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 technology-based materials including functional/workplace/life skill readings, prose,and drama
    individually or in small groups
    in class/lab or simulated real-life or workplace situations
    Criteria
    you identify the defining features and structure of literary texts, such as conflict, representation of character, and point of view
    you analyze the effect of characters, plot, setting, language, topic, style, purpose, and point of view
    you evaluate merit and/or explain critical opinions expressed in written material such as newspaper editorials, magazine articles, historical documents, Internet information based on criteria
    you provide interpretive responses to literary and nonliterary texts representing culturally diversified materials
    you draw on a broad base of knowledge about the themes, ideas, and insights while reading, interpreting, and reflecting on written material
    you evaluate themes and main ideas considering audience and purpose

  3. Read to acquire information
    Assessment Strategies
    in a skill demonstration in response to a variety of printed and 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
    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, such as newspaper, phone book, map, Internet websites
    you apply information to solve problems or make decisions, in relationship to health care, finance, education, family, and employment
    you interpret and use technical resources such as charts, tables, travel schedules, timelines, and manuals
    you compare, contrast, and evaluate the relative accuracy and usefulness of information from different sources
    you identify and explain information, main ideas, and organization found in a variety of informational passages
    you distinguish between the facts found in documents, narratives, charts, maps, tables and other sources and draw generalizations and interpretations
    you adjust reading pace (skimming, scanning, and reading) to readability of text and purpose

  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 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
    Criteria
    you use knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes to interpret and convey the meaning of words
    you interpret common figures of speech
    you use functional, occupational, technical and content specific vocabulary
    you apply structural word analysis strategies
    you use contextual cues
    you consult dictionaries, glossaries, handbooks, and grammar texts when needed
    you explain how writers and speakers choose words and use figurative language such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and allusion to achieve specific effects
    you choose words purposefully and evaluate the use of words in communications designed to inform, explain, and persuade