Course Description:

The course is designed to help learners develop strategies to effectively read and comprehend literature, content area texts, and other nonfiction to become successful participants in the classroom, as well as the community in which they live. Through guided instruction, learners will develop and apply effective reading strategies to increase reading and, consequently, writing skills. This is a progressive skills class that may be repeated for credit with teacher recommendation.

Course/Grade Competency:

HS.2 The learner will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and engage with a variety of increasingly complex print and non-print literary texts.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

• • Comprehend and demonstrate meaning from text by applying a variety of reading, listening, and viewing strategies (e.g., cloze reading, double entry journal, paraphrasing, summary notes, and problem/solution organizer).

  • Increase vocabulary acquisition through context clues, vocabulary journal, study/note cards, concept maps, etc.

  • Become familiar with and master reading test formats and practice effective analysis of test items in multiple choice formats, including online programs.

  • Paraphrase and summarize content area selections.

  • Practice reading orally to increase fluency and understanding.

  • Practice reading with an emphasis on decoding words and developing strategies to make connections between oral and sight word recognition to aid in comprehension.

Course/Grade Competency:

HS.4 The learner will demonstrate the ability to speak purposefully and effectively, strategically making increasingly complex decisions about content, language use, and discourse style.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

• • Produce coherent oral discourse appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

  • Negotiate different cultural perspectives with sensitivity.

  • Adjust presentation style, degree of formality, word choice, tone, and information to the context and audience.

  • Synthesize and share information from a variety of sources and perspectives.

  • Respond appropriately to others’ constructive criticism, compliments, and feedback to improve future communication.

Course/Grade Competency:

HS.5 The learner will demonstrate the ability to listen critically and thoughtfully in a variety of settings and purposes.

Content Objectives:

The learner will:

• Practice listening skills through group discussions and retelling or restating of important ideas or concepts. These discussions will focus on content areas, as well as literature analysis (theme, plot, character and appropriate literary applications) to complement required core subjects.