Lab Assignments - Week 2 - (9/3 - 9/10)

PAY LAB FEE                                                              

DRV: What to Look for in a Dictionary (44)  * 

*  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 me know ASAP if you have a problem accessing this list.

Lab Assignments - Week 3 - (9/10 - 9/17)

 GRADED LAB CHECK 9/17 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   2 - 3     REQUIRED HOURS     6      

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

Booklist Assigned Reading and Blog #2 (1hr.)                 

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

Word Attack Custom List #2        

DRV: I Cannot Read (p. 50) & In Praise of the F Word (p. 54)     (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   2 - 3      DUE DATE    9/17    REQUIRED HOURS       6     

Be ready for the first graded lab check with at least 6 hours logged in the "Thomson" lab binder and all lab assignments for weeks 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 54) and use the wpm chart on page 358. Remember to keep your DRV chart in your lab folder.

 

Lab Assignments - Week 4 - (9/17 - 9/24)

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 (61); Thinking: A Neglected Art (106); Putting Reading in Its Proper Place (109)

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.

 

Lab Assignments - Week 5 - (9/24 - 10/1)

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: Case Study: The State of the Onion (129)

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 - (10/1 - 10/8) 

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:   How Students Get Lost in Cyberspace (134)   (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 - (10/8 - 10/15)

1100 Words Assignment – Week 6    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

Word Attack Custom List #6

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

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

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

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

DRV:  Fresh Start (305)

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. Consult the "Computer Procedure" hand-out in your lab folder and follow the specific instructions to get started on Speed Reader. 

 

Lab Assignments - Week 8 - (10/15 - 10/22)

GRADED LAB CHECK 3/19 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   4 – 8     REQUIRED HOURS     21     

1100 Words Assignment – Week 7    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU: (See notes below)

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:  Salvation (311) 

WEEK 8 NOTES:  GRADED LAB CHECK 10/22 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   4 – 8     REQUIRED HOURS     21     

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  10/22 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   4 – 8     REQUIRED HOURS     21     

 

Lab Assignments - Week 9 - (10/22 - 10/29)

1100 Words Assignment – Week 8  

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

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:  1,2,3 (331); A Worldwide Family (335);  The Barrio (338)

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 - (10/29 - 11/5)

1100 Words Assignment – Week 9    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU(See notes below)

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:  Queen of Nothing (345); Cultural Myths as Obstacles to Critical Thinking (349) 

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 - (11/5 - 11/12)

NOTE: 11/10  -  VETERANS' DAY HOLIDAY - LAB WILL BE CLOSED

1100 Words Assignment – Week 10    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

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:   How Good Are Your Opinions? (154) & America: The Multinational Society (180) 

 

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 - (11/12 - 11/19)

  1100 Words Assignment – Week 11    

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

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:  Cloning Could Halt Human Evolution (184)

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. 

Something new has been added to the online booklist to 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. At http://www.bartleby.com/hc/ you will find complete essays, poems, short stories, and books available online. The 20-volume Shelf of Fiction is also available in e-book - honor system download  - $1/book at http://www.bartleby.com/ebook/. Also available at this site are links for free downloads of Microsoft Reader and Adobe Acrobat - the programs that will allow you to download and read e-books. Try it for a "novel" experience.  (Please download these programs to your own computer only. Don't attempt a download in lab.)

 

Lab Assignments - Week 13 - (11/19 - 11/26)

GRADED LAB CHECK - 11/26

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   9 – 13     REQUIRED HOURS     36     

1100 Words Assignment – Week 12

 Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes)

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:  Thirst for a Hero Can Get Us in Hot Water (200); Hollywood Plays to the Pimply (203);  All the News That’s Fit to Post (215)    

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 11/26  

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   9 – 13     REQUIRED HOURS     36     

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. 

NOTE: 11/27 - 11/30  -  THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - LAB WILL BE CLOSED

Lab Assignments - Week 14 - (11/26 - 12/3)

GRADED LAB CHECK 11/26

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   9 – 13     REQUIRED HOURS     36     

1100 Words Assignment – Week 13   

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

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  

DRV:  Vox Humana (219); Gods Are Created In Our Own Image (224); Press Freedom Under Assault at Home and Abroad (228)

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 - (12/3 - 12/10)

FINAL LAB CHECK 12/17 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   2-16     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: 

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:  Prying by the Press Exposes Spying on Americans (263); Self-Esteem Is Earned, Not Learned (267)

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.

 

Lab Assignments - Week 16 - (12/10 - 12/17)

FINAL LAB CHECK 12/17 

ALL ASSIGNMENTS WEEKS   2-16     REQUIRED HOURS     45     

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

Choose either Word Attack or RFU (See notes below)

Word Attack:  1 list of your choice 

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

Speed Reader – Session #10 (5 min. Warm-up)