Literacy Course

In this unit students will learn and practice reading strategies to help them better understand what they read. Strategies used before reading help to activate the students' knowledge about the world and make predictions about the text. Strategies used while reading help students assess their understanding, and make sense of unfamiliar vocabulary. Strategies used after reading help students better retain and use the information. Students will read information texts, graphic texts, and narrative texts in this unit. They will also explore different purposes for reading, and how to approach these different kinds of texts. At the end of this unit students will have more confidence in their reading abilities, and many different skills to apply to all the reading they have to do in their lives. (50 hours)

In this unit students will learn how to plan and write a variety of texts - information paragraphs, opinion essays, summaries, and news reports. The form and writing process for each type of text is presented in clear steps, and there are many opportunities to practice and receive feedback on writing skills. At the end of this unit students will have a solid understanding of the writing process, and the ability to apply planning skills to the writing tasks they encounter in daily life.  (50 hours)

Project:  Students will create and organize a Literacy Portfolio worth 15% of the final grade in which they will include examples of their work from the course, reflect on their skills, and write an outline and opinion essay. (7 hours)

Exam:  This is a proctored exam worth 15% of your final grade.  (3 hours)