Transition Assignments
Spring 2005
Extensive Reading Assignment
1. Find a novel that fits your reading level and interests.
Go to Borders or other book store and browse. Find a book that you
will enjoy reading. Read the first page and several passages in the
middle to make sure it is not loaded with vocabulary words you don’t recognize.
Look at the dialog to see if there is a lot of slang or regional language.
Note how long the descriptive passages are and choose one that has approximately
equally as much dialog. Choose a novel, but nothing too difficult,
too technical or too long. It should be at least 200 pages in length, but
not more than 400 pages. If possible, buy your own copy if you plan
to write in it, otherwise you can borrow or check out a book from the LDC
or Johnson Center. [If you borrow one from a public library, it will
be due in three weeks, so this is not advisable.]
2. Due Friday, March 11: Write
down the author, title, publisher, date of publication and number of pages.
Submit this information in writing for approval of your book. Be
prepared to tell the class why you chose this book and how it is different
from other books you’ve read.
Transition Vocabulary Cards: Due: Monday, 3/7/05
1. At the bookstore: Buy a small spiral notebook or 3x5 cards for vocabulary.
2. In your other ELI or academic classes, or when you watch
television, listen to the radio, talk with friends (in English,
that is!) listen for words you do not know. If possible, get
a friend to write them down for you (for correct spelling). This
is
ORAL vocabulary, not words you read in the newspaper or psychology
text.
3. Write your name on the outside of the notebook.
4. Write the date and number the words consecutively.
5. Write down 10 – 12 new words in your spiral notebook. For
each word you should write:
a. part of speech (is it a verb, noun, adjective
or adverb?)
b. source: (where did you hear it? on tv?
name of program or commercial;
friend?
teacher? movie?)
c. definition: what does it mean?
d. an original sentence (your own sentence;
not one from the dictionary) with the word underlined. (You may do
this
on a separate sheet of paper if you prefer).
6. For example:
Sept 5:
1. aggressive
source: TV: NFL football game (Redskins vs. Eagles)
adjective; aggression, noun;
def: ready to quarrel or attack; threatening
S: He’s a very aggressive player and goes after the ball on every play.
7. Grading Criteria:
a. Accuracy; i.e. the correct meaning
as word is used
b. Usefulness of words (i.e. words we hear,
not from newspaper!)
c. Completeness: i.e. part of speech, specific
source, date
d. Original sentence (not sentence from
the dictionary).
e. Neatness and legibility
f. Following instructions; i.e. spiral
notebook so that words may be added
and reviewed throughout the semester. Separate 3x5 cards are acceptable
only if secured together.