Return to Brainsarefun homepage

SYLLABUS

BRAINSAREFUN
READING & STUDY SKILLS

Instructor: Rory Donaldson, Stapleton, Colorado
Phone: (860) 304-3178
Email: roryd@brainsarefun.com Web Page: www.brainsarefun.com

GOAL: This course is for students who need to remediate, develop and accelerate their reading, writing, listening, speaking, information organization and study skills by one or more years. It is custom tailored to meet the requirements of fifth grade through college students.

PREREQUISITES: Current reading skills must test at a fifth-grade level, or better, as measured by your school's standardized test.

MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES

1. All students will complete a pre and post-test.
2. Students and parent will submit a complete contract, defining desired outcomes.
3. Students will create portfolios reflecting cooperation and format.
4. Students will write 100 to 500 written pages in correct format.
5. Students will submit 2 three-pages essays.
6. Students will submit 150 questions and appropriate answers.
7. Students will submit three 5-minute audio files demonstrating their ability to read aloud.
8. Students will be evaluated daily on their ability to start on time, stay on task, complete assignments.
9. Ninety-five percent of all students will gain 1.5 years of ability, measured by your tests, after 25 hours of instruction.

CONTRACTS

Because learning to live by your word is so important, you will be required to design a contract. The format for this contract is available at Contracts (http://www.brainsarefun.com/Contracts.html).

GRADING

1. Students will be evaluated daily for format, volume and pace. Final Grade Value: 20%
2. Portfolios. Final Grade Value: 15%
3. Questions. Final Grade Value: 15%
4. Essays. Final Grade Value: 15%
5. Audio Lessons. Final Grade Value: 15%
6. Behavior and participation. Final Grade Value: 20%

Final Grade: There shall be only two grades awarded: "firm" and "needs remediation." The grade of "firm" is awarded to students achieving a score of 85%, or better. As measured by a concluding test, students' improvement in reading will be reported.

MISSING CLASS

Missing class is the student's responsibility. Realizing that extenuating circumstances do exist, see Mr. Donaldson with your solutions, not excuses.

I may be reached during office hours or by email: roryd@brainsarefun.com.

EXAMS

Because students are evaluated daily, as described above, there is no final exam beyond insuring that all material has been submitted on time and in appropriate format. All students will take a final standardized test to objectively measure their reading improvement.

PARTICIPATION

Because this course is designed to accelerate your reading and study skills, participation is synonymous with success. Should you feel you need extra assistance contact me immediately for an appointment.

DAY ONE

Required:  Students are to bring to their first class a one-inch thick three-ring binder to use as a portfolio, 100 sheets of unlined 8 1/2 by eleven paper (three hole punched), and three pens and/or sharpened pencils.

Your binder should be inexpensive and cost no more than a couple of dollars. To facilitate identification please choose a light color like red or gray. Using a magic marker, print your name clearly on both the spine and on the outside of the front cover.

At the beginning of class please stow all material, other than your binder, paper and writing utensils, off the desk top. Students shall be evaluated on their ability to cooperate with these requests, and on the creativity of their excuses.

QUESTIONS

Since instruction starts promptly and class moves swiftly, no questions will be answered during the first five minutes of class. Too often, questions take everyone off task.

Have a question? Write it down and hand it to me any time. There will be a time set-aside during most classes for questions. If a question is worth asking it is worth writing down. I will answer your questions at the appropriate time. Questions such as "What are we doing today?" take everyone off task and are not appropriate.

SUGGESTIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL COURSE

1. Cooperate
2. Participate
3. Stay Involved
4. Write furiously
5. Create fat portfolios
6. Master skills
7. Smile
8. And above all, find out what success means to you.

Thank you for considering this class. I look forward to working with you to improve your skills. Do not hesitate to contact me when I can be of service.

Rory Donaldson
860-304-3178
roryd@brainsarefun.com

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: SYLLABUS, ACCELERATED READING/STUDY SKILLS © January 2005 by Rory Donaldson. All rights reserved. In order to help reverse the tide of academic failure and optimize success, individuals may copy brainsarefun solutions for non-commercial use at no charge. Contents may not be sold or repackaged in any manner without the written permission of Rory Donaldson. Since all material is copyrighted, please ensure that this entire copyright notice and contact information continues to be attached to each article you download. Mr. Donaldson appreciates the feedback. Additional solutions may be viewed and downloaded at no charge by logging on to brainsarefun.com. Titles are being updated, edited and added regularly. To view most recently added titles you may click here.

Suggestions and comments encouraged, email: roryd@brainsarefun.com.

This document may be printed directly from your browser or cut into your word processor for additional formatting.