Reading and Writing – Fundamental Level 3

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course Code
ENGU 0125
Descriptive
Reading and Writing – Fundamental Level 3
Department
English Upgrading
Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Credits
6.00
Start Date
End Term
202130
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
12
Contact Hours
9 hrs/week
Method(s) Of Instruction
Tutorial
Learning Activities

A combination of instructional methods will be employed in order to balance instructional efficiency with individual student needs. Class and small group instruction will be used along with individual assistance.

Course Description
This course is designed for students who require greater ability with reading and writing in order to achieve a functional literacy level. The reading focus is on comprehension and developing a range of decoding strategies, and the writing focus is on composing sentences and paragraphs and developing a range of spelling strategies.
Students will identify short- and long-term personal goals for literacy learning. The course will emphasize behaviour and learning skills appropriate to the classroom and the community. Job-related skills will be identified and integrated throughout the course. Reading content will include current events.
Course Content

Reading

  • identifying subject, main idea, details, sequence and cause and effect in short passages
  • pre-reading and reflecting on short written passages
  • summarizing short passages
  • applying critical thinking to distinguish fact and opinion
  • using context to decode words
  • reading words accurately using a variety of word attack skills
  • recognizing and using antonyms, synonyms and homonyms
  • using dictionary skills to find meaning
  • demonstrating strategies for learning and remembering words
  • recognizing the need to self-monitor and self-correct when decoding
  • reading extended passages at a grade four /five level independently and fluently
  • beginning to draw inferences and conclusions
  • expressing and supporting opinions
  • recognizing different purposes for reading
  • beginning self-monitoring reading for comprehension
  • independently reading a short novel at a grade four/five level
  • reading 500 or more basic and personally relevant sight words

 
Writing and Spelling

  • generating, organizing and writing ideas (the writing process)
  • using listing and/or mind-mapping pre-writing strategies
  • recognizing the need for revision and editing
  • using a basic thesaurus as a writing aid
  • using paragraph form: topic sentence, supporting details, and conclusion
  • completing a variety of simple forms and documents
  • printing or writing complete simple declarative, interrogative and exclamatory sentences
  • using appropriate punctuation at the beginnings and endings of sentences
  • using commas in a series
  • identifying subjects and verbs in simple sentences
  • using simple past and continuous present and future verb tenses correctly
  • using capitals for proper nouns
  • using a dictionary to find spelling
  • spelling approximately 300 sight and personal words
  • using a variety of strategies to learn the spelling of new words
  • using the ‘doubling’ and ‘silent e’ spelling rules
  • using a variety of compensatory spelling aids (e.g. electronic dictionary, personal word lists) for proofreading
  • spelling regular consonant-vowel-consonant (cvc) and cvc+e words
  • using compound words, contractions and common abbreviations 
  • copying short messages and text (i.e. phone, class notes) accurately

 
Skills and Strategies for Classroom Learning

  • identifying short and long-term goals for literacy learning
  • tracking assignments independently
  • moving on to other tasks while waiting for help
  • working independently
  • attending to and participating appropriately in group discussion and activities
  • moving on to other tasks while waiting for help
  • providing and receiving help from classmates in a cooperative manner
  • communicating respectfully with instructors and classmates
  • using time management skills to complete assigned work
  • employing strategies for learning and remembering
  • demonstrating awareness of personal learning strengths
  • following simple directions and instructions

 
Computer Skills

  • using word processing skills to complete some writing assignments

 
College and Community Resources

  • independently accessing the public library
  • accessing the college library with assistance
  • recognizing and using available services and recreational resources in the college and community and accessing those resources as appropriate to their needs
  • developing an understanding of the concept of municipal, provincial and federal governments in Canada


Job-related Skills (in addition to those integrated above)

  • maintaining and improving skills at the DVST 0100 and 0115 level courses
    • arriving punctually
    • working as a team
    • managing time
    • speaking and listening in a respectful manner
    • following oral instructions
    • reading words commonly used as safety warnings on job sites
    • following simple written instructions
  • completing basic forms independently
  • communicating effectively in groups
Learning Outcomes

The objectives of this course are for each student to:

  • improve decoding strategies
  • develop strategies to improve reading comprehension
  • extend their reading vocabulary
  • gain experience in reading narrative and introduce reading expository texts
  • increase background knowledge by developing awareness of current topics and concerns
  • improve sentence and paragraph writing competency
  • gain greater experience in using pre-writing strategies
  • develop strategies for proofreading their work
  • improve spelling and spelling strategies
  • improve basic word processing skills
  • continue to develop the classroom, workplace and learning behaviours introduced in DVST 0100 and DVST 0115
Means of Assessment

A mastery model of on-going evaluation will be used. Progress towards course objectives and personal literacy goals will be monitored on a regular basis by the instructor in consultation with each student, and students will receive frequent feedback and informal progress reports. A student will have completed the course when he/she has demonstrated, through satisfactory completion of exercises and assignments, that the course objectives have been achieved.

Regular attendance and punctuality are required. Students must demonstrate ongoing progress towards mastering the course content.

Textbook Materials

Students are required to supply a three-ring binder, paper, eraser, pen and pencil.

Prerequisites

ENGU Assessment and interview, or ENGU 0115

Which Prerequisite