Week One Success Kit
While English 1A moves quickly, the best way to prepare yourself to succeed is by getting off to a good start. Please read this page carefully so that you'll know what is needed to start this course on the right foot.
How This Course Works
You will use Canvas to log in to our class in order to access the course content. This 16-week course is organized into 16 modules. Each week will be divided into one module--for example, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, etc. All assignments in the class (with the exception of the Orientation module) are due on Tuesdays for section 6435 and section 6177 and on Wednesdays for section 6320. I will open the modules for the upcoming week after you've submitted the assignments for the week. Please know that the assignments within the modules are meant to prepare you to succeed on the essay assignments.
Materials You Will Need for Week One
Your choice of one of the following books (please see the class syllabus for more information): The Upcycled Self by Tariq Trotter, Tell Me How It Ends: An Essay in 40 Questions by Valeria Luiselli, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib, or Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang.
Computer: if you don't have access to a computer, please contact me at cnagao@elcamino.edu as soon as possible so that we can get you a laptop for free from the college.
High-speed internet access: if you don't have access to high-speed internet, please email me at cnagao@elcamino.edu to let me know.
Canvas account: you automatically have a Canvas account by being enrolled for courses at El Camino College. If you are not familiar with how to use Canvas, please take a look at this Canvas Resource page before the first week of class.
My Four Tips for Success
This course is designed to ensure all students can succeed. You've got this!
You'll have more opportunities to be successful if you follow these four tips:
Be proactive: log in to our course every Tuesday to preview the new module. Carefully read the What We Are Doing page, which includes the week's learning objectives and the assignments due. Assess the workload and put the due dates in your calendar. Having a mental picture of what's ahead is the best thing you can do to prepare each week.
Plan for the unexpected: aim to have all of your assignments done by at least 24 hours before they are due. This way, if life unexpectedly happens, you will still be able to meet the due date.
Communicate with me: if you think you will be unable to meet a due date, please contact me right away so that we can work out a solution.
Use the Canvas To-Do List and Calendar: The Canvas To-Do List and Calendar will help you keep track of and stay current on your assignments. They are helpful tools for your success!