Major Concepts/Content: The reading 8 course is designed to focus on, but is not limited to, under-standing elements of a story, using study skills such as outlining and summarizing, recognizing and evaluating assumptions and various propaganda techniques, using skimming and scanning techniques, locating and interpreting graphic information, under-standing the organization of a library and its resources, identifying the topic of a selection, using punctuation as a key to comprehension, and applying higher-level comprehension skills. Major topics to be covered include structural analysis, vocabulary building, reading comprehension, study and reference skills, and reading in the content areas. Special emphasis is placed on developing an appreciation for literature and fostering self-initiated reading. 

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will be provided in a classroom setting, using basal reading materials, supplementary and audiovisual materials, magazines, trade books, reference materials, and content area texts. Students will demonstrate knowledge of reading skills by applying those skills after teaching and specific skill practice has occurred. Students will participate in group and individual learning activities such as lectures, discussions, research projects, classroom presentations by students, written assignments, and oral and silent reading. Additionally, students may be asked to keep a record of their leisure-time reading. 

Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will be evaluated on homework/assignments, written work, class participation, effort, test results, use of the library and book reports. Students will show evidence of reading printed and graphic materials with a high degree of comprehension, by reading with expression, by using appropriate study skills and reference materials, by increasing their vocabulary, and by applying reading/ study skills in content area courses. 

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the reading 8 course, students should be able to:

• Shift accent to change the meaning of a word.
• Identify words and phrases derived from foreign origin.
• Select meanings of words in the dictionary that are appropriate to the context.
• Read expressively for an audience.
• Use punctuation to express sentence meaning.
• Make inferences from the reading selection.
• Locate information in the media center, using appropriate reference aids such as the card catalog and the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature.
• Outline information to show main and supporting ideas.
• Select words and phrases that indicate author bias or point of view.

Last Revised: July 20, 2005