Upon completion of this course the students should be able to:

• Use dictionary skills to locate words, recognize appropriate definitions, and pronounce new terms
• Have increased basic sight vocabulary by 50 new words (minimum), and be able to continue to increase basic sight vocabulary, independently, with mastery of a most reliable method
• Use the principles of phonics to pronounce short, unfamiliar words and various word parts
• Use visual syllabication rules to "sound out" longer, unfamiliar words
• Use contextual clues to hypothesize meanings of new words met while reading
• Identify and pronounce common words parts (mainly prefixes and suffixes)
• Analyze non-fiction passages for specific categories of comprehension (vocabulary in context, main ideas, supporting details)
• Identify transitions (guide/signal words) and recognize their purposes in relating authors' thoughts and displaying the organization of their ideas
• Read one self-chosen (teacher approved book - fiction or non-fiction) and write a one to two page book review (a format will be provided).

Although this course does not fulfill any general education or degree program requirements, it will assist students toward developing college-level reading, writing, and critical thinking skills and prepare them to succeed in college-level courses.