COURSE DESCRIPTION
Reading fundamentals course designed to help students who have beginning reading skills learn about reading process. Students learn components of this process: understanding letter-sound correspondence (phonics); breaking words down into separate sounds (phonemic awareness); understanding that words in text are related and convey a message (comprehension); pronouncing and defining words (vocabulary); and developing ability to automatically recognize and pronounce words (fluency). Students learn that reading is foremost an active, meaning-making activity. Learning techniques include visual tracking; improving short term visual memory; building a beginning reading vocabulary; and engaging in before, during, and after reading activities. May be paired effectively with a Word Recognition course. Course may be taken two times for credit.
COURSE MATERIALS
Texts in the three areas of focus are required depending on the student's skills. Students should buy only those texts which address their specific needs.
Decoding: Sonkin, Liebenow, and Mindel. Sound It Out. Workbook and audio CD. Books 1, 2, and 3.
Comprehension: Edcon Abbreviated Stories
Level 1: White Fang, Swiss Family Robinson, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Heidi, Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Jungle Book
Level 2: Black Beauty, Tom Sawyer, The Call of the Wild, and Treasure Island
Voyager Series, Book 1-8 (New Readers Press)
Workbook with skills and readings
Vocabulary:
Voyager vocabulary workbooks, Levels 0-8
In addition, you will need to have a package of 3x5 note cards for vocabulary development.
Additional materials will be available in the Centers for Independent Learning as assigned.
ORIENTATION/ATTENDANCE
Attendance required at weekly appointment.
EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE
Students will complete weekly assignments and activities. Students will also be evaluated via progress and mastery tests, as well as instructor observation of participation and progress. Students may also be required to visit the Reading Assistance Area during the term.