Lab Assignments - Week 1 - (1/18 - 1/25)

     PAY LAB FEE   

     Choose Indie Book #1 and begin reading 30 min./day at lease 5 days each
     week  -  1^st Book – Free Choice    
     Keep record of time spent reading - Bring to class                                                       

Lab Assignments - Week 2 - (1/25 - 2/1)

DRV: What to Look for in a Dictionary ( p. 41)  * 

*  Check your work in lab; record wpm and scores on DRV chart reproduction in lab folder

1100 Words Assignment – Week 1, Days 1-5, pp. 1-7   

Word Attack Custom List #1  (See WEEK 2 NOTES below)    

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #1  – 1^st Book – Free Choice  

*    Independent reading, Blogs, and DRV reading/comp/vocab activities may be completed outside lab

WEEK 2 NOTES:  Word Attack is the only computer program we will be working on this week. This is a program for vocabulary enhancement. You will find complete instructions on your Lab Procedures handout. The word list for this week will give you practice on the words from 1100 Words, Week 1. 

To choose the customized word list that contains all 20 words from Week 1:
   Open Word Attack and log in as usual as usual;
   Go to the Word List choice on the menu;
   Click on Custom;
   Choose Week 1;
   Click OK.

You should then be able to choose the study activity and proceed as usual with activities and games to reinforce your learning of these words.  Let one of instructional support staff know ASAP if you have a problem accessing this list.

Lab Assignments - Week 3 - (2/1 - 2/8)

 GRADED LAB CHECK 2/8 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   1 - 3     REQUIRED HOURS     9      

RFU – 2 Cards per Level    Level #’s ______  & ______       

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #2                

1100 Words Assignment - Week 2, Days 1-5, pp. 8-13 

Word Attack Custom List #2        

DRV:  Is Ain't a Word - (48) & In Praise of the F Word (52)     (See notes below)

 WEEK 3 NOTES:  Follow assignments as listed above and on the lab assignments handout. Use your Lab Procedures handout (found in your lab folder) and/or ask the instructional staff in the reading lab if you need help.

LAB CHECK WEEKS   1 - 3      DUE DATE    2/8    REQUIRED HOURS       9     

Be ready for the first graded lab check with at least 9 hours logged in the "Thomson" lab binder and all lab assignments for weeks 1, 2 and 3 complete.

This should be one of the easiest "A+'s" of the semester. Let me know if you are having difficulties.

Be sure to notice that one of your DRV reading selections for this week should be timed and your wpm recorded on your DRV chart. Follow instructions in DRV (page 52) and use the wpm chart on page 416. Remember to keep your DRV chart in your lab folder.

 

Lab Assignments - Week 4 - (2/8 - 2/15)

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______                         

Reading Power Modules  Lessons   1 & 2      Level _____ WPM               (See notes below)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #3  – 1^st book complete

1100 Words Assignment - Week 3, Days 1-5, pp. 14-19   

Word Attack Custom List #3

DRV:  Superman and Me (60); Thinking: A Neglected Art (107); Putting Reading in Its Proper Place (110)

WEEK 4 NOTES:  This week you will begin the first of your sessions on a "rate builder" computer application. I think you will enjoy Reading Power Modules (RPM), and I'm sure it will help you reach your comprehension and rate enhancement goals. As you can see above, you will complete lessons 1 & 2 (and record your progress on the answer sheet provided) this week. Your level will depend upon your group # (refer to the top of the first page of your lab assignments handout if you've forgotten your group #):

Group I - Level E;  Group II - Level F;  Group III - Level G;  Group IV - Level G

Your words per minute (wpm) target should be based on your current reading rate (derived either from your Nelson Denny test results or DRV rate) plus 25 to 50 wpm. In other words, begin now to push yourself to read and think at a more rapid rate. 

Detailed instructions for starting this program are located in your lab folder on the computer procedures handout. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE - I highly recommend that you choose either "read at your own pace" or "line in place" when given these options by RPM. Play around with the program a bit before you "officially" start if you wish; I know 99% of you will agree with me.

 PRESIDENTS' HOLIDAY     2/17 - 2/20     LAB WILL BE CLOSED

Lab Assignments - Week 5 - (2/15 - 2/22)

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Reading Power Modules (RPM) - Lessons  3, 4, & 5    Level _____  WPM           (See notes below)

1100 Words Assignment – Week 4  

Word Attack Custom List #4

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #4 – Begin Book  # 2                            

DRV: Tilting the Level Field: It's Nothing New (113)

WEEK 5 NOTES: This week on RPM you will complete lessons 3, 4, & 5. Stay with the same level you were working on last week, but try to increase your wpm. If you scored at least 70 - 80% on the comprehension questions following the reading selection, then increase your rate by 25 wpm. If your comprehension was in the 80 - 100% range, increase your rate by 50 wpm.

 

 Lab Assignments - Week 6 - (2/22 - 2/29) 

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Reading Power Modules (RPM) - Lessons  1 & 2    Level _____  WPM           (See notes below)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #5 

1100 Words Assignment – Week 5      

Word Attack Custom List #5     

DRV:   Ethics (159)   (See notes below)

WEEK 6 NOTES: This week on RPM you should be ready to move to a higher level. Move up one letter in the alphabet (e.g., level E last week = level F this week) and complete lessons 1 & 2. Continue pushing your wpm. If you scored at least 70 - 80% on the comprehension questions following the reading selection, then increase your rate by 25 wpm. If your comprehension was in the 80 - 100% range, increase your rate by 50 wpm.

 

Lab Assignments - Week 7 - (2/29 - 3/7)

1100 Words Assignment – Week 6    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

Word Attack Custom List #6
OR
RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______   
COMPLETE BOTH FOR EXTRA CREDIT   

Reading Power (RPM) - Lessons  3, 4, & 5    Level _____  WPM           (See notes below)

Speed Reader – Session # 1 (5 min. Warm-up PLUS ASSIGNED PRACTICES) (See notes below)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #6  – 2^nd book complete     

DRV:  How Good Are Your Opinions (176)

WEEK 7 NOTES:This week you may choose any one of these two activities (Word Attack or RFU); pick the one that you find most useful to you in reaching the goals you have set for your reading improvement.  If vocabulary is an area of relative weakness for you, you will probably want to continue working on Word Attack. If reading rate with good comprehension is your focus, keep using the RFU cards and pushing yourself to be able to complete each card in 3 minutes or less. Feel free to complete both of these. Be sure to highlight the additional assignment you complete to receive extra credit. Remember that all required assignments must be completed before any extra credit points will be awarded.

This week on RPM you will complete lessons 3,4,& 5. Stay with the same level you were working on last week, but try to increase your wpm. If you scored at least 70 - 80% on the comprehension questions following the reading selection, then increase your rate by 25 wpm. If your comprehension was in the 80 - 100% range, increase your rate by 50 wpm.

Speed Reader is a computer program that most students find very enjoyable and valuable - a great rate builder. Get help from our Instructional Support Staff or consult the "Computer Procedure" hand-out in your lab folder and follow the specific instructions to get started on Speed Reader. 

  SPRING RECESS     3/19 - 3/25     LAB WILL BE CLOSED

Lab Assignments - Week 8 - (3/7 - 3/14)

GRADED LAB CHECK 3/14 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   4 – 8     REQUIRED HOURS     24     

1100 Words Assignment – Week 7    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU: (See notes)

COMPLETE BOTH FOR EXTRA CREDIT 
Word Attack Custom List #7    

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Reading Power (RPM) - Lessons  1 -  5    Level _____  WPM           (See notes below)

Speed Reader – Session # 2 (5 min. Warm-up) (See notes)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #7  – 1/2 way through book #3

DRV:  America: The Multinational Society (200)

WEEK 8 NOTES:  GRADED LAB CHECK 3/14 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   4 – 8     REQUIRED HOURS     24     

This week you may choose either Word Attack or RFU; pick the one that you find most useful to you in reaching the goals you have set for your reading improvement.  If vocabulary is an area of relative weakness for you, you will probably want to continue working on Word Attack. If reading rate with good comprehension is your focus, keep using the RFU cards and pushing yourself to be able to complete each card in 3 minutes or less. 

This week on RPM you should be ready to move to a higher level. Move up one letter in the alphabet (e.g., level F last week = level G this week) and complete lessons 1 - 5. Continue pushing your wpm. If you scored at least 70 - 80% on the comprehension questions following the reading selection, then increase your rate by 25 wpm. If your comprehension was in the 80 - 100% range, increase your rate by 50 wpm.

GRADED LAB CHECK  3/14 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   4 – 8     REQUIRED HOURS     24     

 

Lab Assignments - Week 9 - (3/14 - 3/28)

NOTE: WEEK 9 THRU END OF THE SEMESTER - CHOOSE EITHER WORD ATTACK OR RFU OR COMPLETE BOTH RFU AND WORD ATTACK FOR EXTRA CREDIT

1100 Words Assignment – Week 8  

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below) 

COMPLETE BOTH FOR EXTRA CREDIT 
Word Attack Custom List #8

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Speed Reader – Session # 3 (5 min. Warm-up)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #8  – finish book #3     

DRV:  Thirst for a Hero Can Get Us in Hot Water (221);

Do Away with Public Schools (224); Teach, Don't Preach, the Bible (233)  *

Extra Credit:  Reading Power (RPM) - Lessons:  any 2      Level:  up one    WPM: increase 25 - 50 wpm   (See notes below)

WEEK 9 NOTES:  

This week you may choose either Word Attack or RFU; pick the one that you find most useful to you in reaching the goals you have set for your reading improvement.  If vocabulary is an area of relative weakness for you, you will probably want to continue working on Word Attack. If reading rate with good comprehension is your focus, keep using the RFU cards and pushing yourself to be able to complete each card in 3 minutes or less. 

Extra credit points will be awarded only after all required hours and assignments are complete. Be sure to highlight the extra credit work on your assignment sheet after it is complete and ready to be checked.

Lab Assignments - Week 10 - (3/28 - 4/4)

1100 Words Assignment – Week 9    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU(See notes below)

COMPLETE BOTH FOR EXTRA CREDIT 
Word Attack Custom List #9

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Speed Reader – Session # 4 (5 min. Warm-up)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #9  – Begin book 4  

DRV:  Gods Are Created in Our Own Image (237); All the News That's Fit to Post (242)

Extra Credit:  Reading Power (RPM) - Lessons:  any 2      Level:  up one    WPM: increase 25 - 50 wpm   (See notes)

WEEK 10 NOTES:   

This week you may choose either Word Attack or RFU; pick the one that you find most useful to you in reaching the goals you have set for your reading improvement.  If vocabulary is an area of relative weakness for you, you will probably want to continue working on Word Attack. If reading rate with good comprehension is your focus, keep using the RFU cards and pushing yourself to be able to complete each card in 3 minutes or less. 

 

Lab Assignments - Week 11 - (4/4 - 4/11)

1100 Words Assignment – Week 10    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

COMPLETE BOTH FOR EXTRA CREDIT 
Word Attack Custom List #10

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Speed Reader – Session # 5 (5 min. Warm-up)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #10  – Complete book 4   

DRV:   Vox Humana (246) & Talk, Not Torture, Gets the Information (250)  *

 

Extra Credit:  Reading Power (RPM) - Lessons:  any 2      Level:  up one    WPM: increase 25 - 50 wpm   (See notes)

WEEK 11 NOTES:   

This week you may choose either Word Attack or RFU; pick the one that you find most useful to you in reaching the goals you have set for your reading improvement.  If vocabulary is an area of relative weakness for you, you will probably want to continue working on Word Attack. 

If reading rate with good comprehension is your focus, keep using the RFU cards and pushing yourself to be able to complete each card in 3 minutes or less. 

 

Lab Assignments - Week 12 - (4/11 - 4/18)

  1100 Words Assignment – Week 11    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

COMPLETE BOTH FOR EXTRA CREDIT 
Word Attack:  Custom List #11

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Speed Reader – Session # 6 (5 min. Warm-up)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #11  – Begin book 5 - See notes below   

DRV:  Self-Esteem is Earned, Not Learned (292)

Extra Credit:  Reading Power (RPM) - Lessons:  any 2      Level:  up one    WPM: increase 25 - 50 wpm   (See notes)

WEEK 12 NOTES:   

This week you may choose either Word Attack or RFU; pick the one that you find most useful to you in reaching the goals you have set for your reading improvement.  

If vocabulary is an area of relative weakness for you, you will probably want to continue working on Word Attack. 

If reading rate with good comprehension is your focus, keep using the RFU cards and pushing yourself to be able to complete each card in 3 minutes or less. 

Need some help in choosing your independent reading from the "classics?" The Harvard Classics are considered the most comprehensive and well-researched anthology of all time and includes both the 50-volume “5-foot shelf of books” and the the 20-volume Shelf of Fiction. Together they cover every major literary figure, philosopher, religion, folklore and historical subject through the twentieth century.

The Harvard Classics, originally known as Dr. Eliot's Five Foot Shelf, is a 51-volume anthology of classic works from world literature, compiled and edited by Harvard University president Charles W. Eliot and first published in 1909.^[1]

Eliot had stated in speeches that the elements of a liberal education could be obtained by spending 15 minutes a day reading from a collection of books that could fit on a five-foot shelf. (Originally he had said a three-foot shelf.) The publisher P. F. Collier and Son saw an opportunity and challenged Eliot to make good on this statement by selecting an appropriate collection of works, and the Harvard Classics was the result. (Source: Wikipedia).

Check out the Wikipedia article for a complete list of titles. Also, take a look at Wikipedia's list of links (below) to find free downloads of these classic titles.

Further reading and external links

• Harvard Classics (all volumes) at the Internet Archive (Archive.org)
• Harvard Classics (Bookshelf) Online version at Project Gutenberg
• Complete Harvard Classics at MobileRead free downloads in Sony BBeB/LRF, Mobipocket/PRC, and eBookwise/IMP formats
• Metafilter: Dr. Eliot's Five Foot Shelf
• David Mehegan, "The reading of life: A story about a grandfather, a box of old books, and the meaning of success," Boston Globe, December 23, 2006. Viewed Sept. 26, 2007
• From the History Files: A Love of Libraries - Harvard Classics
• An Ongoing Review and Discussion of the Harvard Classics
• Eliot, Charles W., ed. The Harvard Classics and Harvard Classics Shelf of Fiction. 1909–1917 Online version at Bartleby.com

 

Lab Assignments - Week 13 - (4/18 - 4/25)

GRADED LAB CHECK - 4/25

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   9 – 13     REQUIRED HOURS     39     

1100 Words Assignment – Week 12

 Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes)

COMPLETE BOTH FOR EXTRA CREDIT 
Word Attack:  Custom List 12

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Speed Reader – Session # 7 (5 min. Warm-up)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #12  – Finish book 5  

DRV:  Push for De-Emphasis of College Sports (296); America, Stand Up for Justice and Decency (299)

Extra Credit:  Reading Power (RPM) - Lessons:  any 2      Level:  up one    WPM: increase at least 25 - 50 wpm   (See notes)

WEEK 13 NOTES:   

GRADED LAB CHECK 4/25 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   9 – 13     REQUIRED HOURS     39     

This week you may choose either Word Attack or RFU; pick the one that you find most useful to you in reaching the goals you have set for your reading improvement.  If vocabulary is an area of relative weakness for you, you will probably want to continue working on Word Attack. 

If reading rate with good comprehension is your focus, keep using the RFU cards and pushing yourself to be able to complete each card in 3 minutes or less. 

 

Lab Assignments - Week 14 - (4/25 - 5/2)

GRADED LAB CHECK 4/25

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   9 – 13     REQUIRED HOURS     39     

1100 Words Assignment – Week 13   

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

COMPLETE BOTH FOR EXTRA CREDIT 
Word Attack:  Custom List #13

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Speed Reader – Session # 8 (5 min. Warm-up)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #13  – Begin Book 6 
Choose from Booklist #5 or #7 

DRV:  Case Study: The State of the Onion (317); How Students Get Lost in Cyberspace (323); Yahoo in China (327)

Extra Credit:  Reading Power (RPM) - Lessons:  any 2      Level:  up one    WPM: increase at least 25 - 50 wpm   (See notes)

WEEK 14 NOTES:   

This week you may choose either Word Attack or RFU; pick the one that you find most useful to you in reaching the goals you have set for your reading improvement.  If vocabulary is an area of relative weakness for you, you will probably want to continue working on Word Attack. 

If reading rate with good comprehension is your focus, keep using the RFU cards and pushing yourself to be able to complete each card in 3 minutes or less. 

 

Lab Assignments - Week 15 - (5/2- 5/9)

FINAL LAB CHECK 5/9 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   1-15     REQUIRED HOURS     45     

(See Final Note below Final Note below for instructions when all lab work is complete for the semester.)

Choose either Word Attack or RFU: 

COMPLETE BOTH FOR EXTRA CREDIT 
Word Attack:  1 list of your choice 

RFU – 2 Cards per Level     Level #’s ______  & ______      

Speed Reader – Session # 9 (5 min. Warm-up) (See Notes)

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #14  – Finish Book 6  

DRV:  Queen of Nothing (402); Cultural Myths as Obstacles to Critical Thinking (406)

Extra Credit:  Reading Power (RPM) - Lessons:  any 2      Level:  up one    WPM: increase at least 25 - 50 wpm   (See notes)

or

Extra Session on Speed Reader

WEEK 15 NOTES:   

For Sessions 9 (week 15) and 10 (Week 16) and/or extra credit sessions on Speed Reader, complete the exercises as outlined for session 8. You may obtain an additional answer sheet from the black 3-ring binder on our shelf in lab or use your own notebook paper to record your answers.

 

FINAL LAB CHECK 5/9 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   1-15     REQUIRED HOURS     45     

(See Final Note below for instructions when all lab work is complete for the semester.)

FINAL NOTE

When you have completed all work and logged all lab hours for the semester, dismantle your lab folder and distribute the contents as follows:

• lab assignment sheet and all answer sheets used - staple together and turn in to your instructor for final grading

• divider tabs and unused answer sheets - return to staff in lab or Professor Thomson for recycling

• lab folder - yours to keep

REMEMBER TO POST YOUR COMPLETED BOOKLIST AND ALL BLOGS:
Completed booklist (POST information and recommendations for all of your independent reading selections) and all 14 blogs posted on the class Discussion Board in Blackboard