SETTING GOALS

How do I interpret my Nelson Denny pretest results?

How much rate improvement should I expect?

What about those who promise they can teach me to read in excess of 10,000 wpm?

LAB ASSIGNMENTS AND HOURS

How do I receive credit for time spent working on lab assignments?

BLOGS
What should I write about in a blog entry?
What shouldn't I write in a blog entry?

What format should I use for blog entries?

BOOKSELLS and COMMISSIONS

How do I "sell" a book?

How can I earn a commission?

QUIZZES

How do I take quizzes in this course?

May I use notes on the Concept Quick Quizzes?

Are Vocabulary Quizzes open book and/or open notes?

How do I interpret my Nelson Denny pretest results?

How much rate improvement should I expect?

If you stick with the program and the consistent practice schedule of assignments, you should be able to easily double your present reading rate. It is not uncommon for students to finish the semester reading 500 - 750 wpm with at least 80% comprehension. Remember speed without comprehension is worthless!

What about those who promise they can teach me to read in excess of 10,000 wpm?

Check out this article from the Skeptics Dictionary for some down-to-earth, well-researched information. Don't stop reading before you encounter Kim Peek, a savant who  has the ability to read two pages simultaneously, one with each eye, with 98% retention.

How do I receive credit for time spent working on lab assignments?

Record them in the black "Thomson's" binder in the lab on top of the shelf that holds your lab folders. Please remember the following:

1. Only time spent completing assignments listed on the Lab Assignment sheet should be logged. This does NOT include time spent reading the modules and completing those online activities.

2. Please complete the "Time In", "Time Out" and the "Daily Total" columns, but leave the "Weekly Total" column blank. The instructional assistant adds the hours in the "Daily Total" column when she tabulates the "Weekly Total." If you record some hours in columns other than "Daily Total", it is really difficult for us to give you credit for all your hours.

3. Please complete the "Assignment(s) Worked On" column with something more specific than "Lab." It will help me to see how you are getting along if I can to see how much time you are spending completing the different lab assignments.

What should I write in a blog entry?
You may respond to your reading by discussing the content of the book you are currently reading or by reflecting on your reading process. Listed on the back of this page are some suggestions for blog entries. Your completed blog should contain a variety of entries from each of the following categories. Be creative; do some original thinking.  Do not write a literal level, blow-by-blow retelling of the plot.  NO SPOILERS PLEASE!!!

Remember whenever you take a position, state an opinion, or make an evaluation, you must include support in the form of evidence, reasoning, logic, or past experience. Don’t just tell your readers what you think, be sure to tell us why.

Feel free to choose from the following suggestions when writing your blogs:

Literal comprehension:

Although it is acceptable to abstract the literal content of your book in order to make a point, avoid blow-by-blow accounts and too much detail.

Make predictions. What do you think will happen next (or eventually)?

Critical comprehension:

Evaluate the book, writing style, characters, or author. Remember to include the reasons for your responses and/or opinions. You may choose to evaluate style, pacing, point of view, structure, tone, subject matter, plausibility, etc.

Compare this book to another you have read or are reading.

            Make or ask for recommendations for further reading.

Affective comprehension:

Discuss a particularly meaningful, puzzling, controversial or striking passage.

What connections to characters or situations come to mind as you read?

What applications can you make to your own life?

Discuss characters you identify with or respond to with particularly positive or negative emotions.

What feeling does the book, or a particular passage, evoke? How do you visualize incidents or characters introduced? How does the book spark your imagination?

 Metacognitive reflections on the reading process:

          Discuss

reading rate

focus/concentration/retention

strategies attempted and results

progress (assess your personal growth as a reader)

plans/goals

anything in your reading that caused confusion and your strategies/plans to clear up that confusion

What shouldn't I write in a blog entry?
Do not write a literal level, blow-by-blow retelling of the plot.

Remember whenever you take a position, state an opinion, or make an evaluation, you must include support in the form of evidence, reasoning, logic, or past experience. Don’t just tell your readers what you think, be sure to tell us why.

What format should I use for blog entries?
Consult the "READ 110 BLOGS" handout under the first tab in your lab folder or click here for more information: READ 110 BLOGS

Though this writing is somewhat less formal than a word-processed review or report on your reading, maintain appropriate academic content and style.

How do I "sell" a book? (Face-to-face sections only)
Twice during the semester you will have an opportunity to share your reading and recommend titles to other students in the class by presenting a booksell to your classmates (face-to-face classes). Use your communication skills to persuade your peers to "buy" or read your book.  You will want to choose a book you enjoyed for your booksell; if a classmate does follow your recommendation and read the book for one of their independent reading selections, you will receive a commission in the form of extra credit points.

 Include the following:

• a brief overview of the book (but don’t give away too much of the plot – certainly not the ending),
• an excerpt or quote from the book,
• author information,
• a specific target audience recommendation to help sell your book,
• a persuasive review of the book.

Booksells are nothing more than strong recommendations - infomercials ?? - to your classmates for a particular book that you have enjoyed. You may create your booksell for a book that you are reading as one of your indie choices for this semester, or you may want to choose a book you have read before. Either is fine.

Students often write very persuasive  blogs on books they really enjoyed. You may use your blog as the basis for your booksell ("as is" or with modifications)  if you like. If you need some ideas for what to (and what not to) include in your booksell, take a look at these tips:

STEPS FOR GETTING STARTED

1.  Take notes as you read books for booksells.  Include:  author, title, characters' names, setting, and interesting events in the book.

 

2.  Begin framing the booksell.  Write captivating opening and closing lines.  Include the info written down in step 1. 

 

3.  Select books that are for the appropriate developmental level of your listeners.

 

4.  Handout bookmarks or lists with the book info on them. 

 

5.  Be excited and creative.

 For more ideas and sample booksells/booktalks see: Booktalking Ideas

 Don't forget the first step in preparation:

READ! READ! READ! Read constantly, widely, voraciously, and with pleasure. 

Instructions for Online classes:
You are required to post 2 booksells to the web discussion board this semester. Due dates are included in the instructions for posting to the "Indie Book #1" forum. You will earn extra credit for posting additional booksells. 

Post your booksell under the forum appropriate for the genre of the book you are selling. The subject line for booksell postings should begin with "Booksell" to alert everyone to the contents of your posting. 

How can I earn a commission?
If you are "sold" on a classmate's book and actually do read it for one of your indie book choices, post a message beginning with "Commission" (after finishing the book, of course). The seller will receive extra credit points for the successful selling of that book.

How do I take quizzes in this course?
You will be notified when it is time to take a Concept Quick Quiz or a Vocabulary Quiz. I will place an announcement on Blackboard, send email to all students who have entered a correct email address in the personal information area of Blackboard, add the quiz to the Learning Opportunities and Due Dates Calendar, AND post notices in lab. It will take considerable effort (or lack thereof) on your part to miss the message that we are having a quiz.

You will have several days, usually a week, in which to come into the reading lab and take the quiz. Inform one of the instructional assistants which class you are in and that you are ready to take the quiz, and she will monitor you as you take your quiz in lab. Be sure you know which quiz you need to take, e.g. Concept Quick Quiz #1.

When you have finished, give your paper to the instructional assistant who will be sure I receive it for grading. I will place your graded quiz in your lab folder. 

May I use notes on the Concept Quick Quizzes?
Yes, but your handwritten notes only. You may not use handouts or printouts of online modules. None of the quizzes are open book. The point is to learn the concepts, not become adept at locating and copying out information.

Are Vocabulary Quizzes open book and/or open notes?
Neither. No notes, no book, just the information you have stored in  memory (long term, we hope).

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