Division: College and Career Preparation
Course name: Basic Skills 034CE: High School Equivalency Test Prep (0 units)
Section: 29009 / Semester & Year: Fall 2019
Class Dates: Sept. 9 – Dec. 6 Class Days/Times: Mon. 1:00 pm – 3:10 pm
Class Location: West LA College Tues. 1:00 pm – 3:10 pm
Wed. 1:00 pm – 3:10 pm
Thur. 1:00 pm – 3:10 pm
Classroom: MSA-013
Mondays - Social Tuesdays - Language Wednesdays - Math Thursdays - Science
Studies Arts
Instructor Name: Instructor Name: Instructor Name: Instructor Name:
Shawntae Hines Chase Selby Daveon Swan Alba Perez
Instructor E-mail: Instructor Phone #: Instructor E-mail: Instructor E-mail:
(310) 287-4228
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] .edu
Instructor E-mail:
[email protected] Instructor Office:
HLRC-137 (first floor
Language Arts
Course Objectives:
This course will incorporate the content of English (reading and written language skills) into a high school
equivalency test preparation review.
Students will examine personal strengths and weaknesses related to studying, note-taking, and
test-taking and practice to improve skills and strategies utilizing practice test materials from HISET
tests.
Students will review reading and writing strategies involving sentence mechanics, essay writing, and
reading comprehension.
o Read and paraphrase selected fiction and nonfiction readings (articles, short stories,
biographies and poetry)
o Recognize and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
o
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
At the end of the course, students will:
1. Utilize effective study, note-taking, organization, communication, critical thinking, and learning
skills that support their success in college and their career.
2. Compose a grammatically correct and coherent multi‐paragraph response to a prompt.
3. Apply active reading strategies to comprehend and summarize a text.
4. Identify the main idea of a text.
5. Identify fact and/or opinion in selected readings.
6. Identify and define meanings of figurative language using surrounding context.
FREE College Philosophy:
West’s Free College welcomes everyone who wants to start or re-start college. Our classes are open-entry, open-
exit, so students can start anytime and leave for another class or job if they need to. However, all students
are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to attend every class session so they can receive the information, knowledge,
and skills needed to help them advance in their academic and career/employment goals. There are no tuition or
fees for noncredit courses. The instructors usually provide instructional materials free of charge. However, there
are some courses where students are required to bring or pay for required materials/books.
Required Texts and Materials
● Texts and course-related handouts provided by instructor
● Pen, paper, and a positive outlook
Class Policies
Attendance and Sign-In Sheet
All students MUST sign in on the sign-in sheet BEFORE they sit down. We are required to account for every
person who attends a class session. When we are in class, we will make ample use of our time discussing ideas
or texts, completing readings, writing in class, debating, and getting together for group work. This all means
that being present is important. I recommend not missing any of our classes, if you can! Refer to our grading
policy to see how attendance, and by extension, participation, plays into the course grading.
As a general rule, it is always advisable to let me know if you will be absent from class.
Preparedness
Hold yourself accountable to attend every class meeting/training, arrive on time, and stay through the entirety;
this part is easy. Push yourself to come to each class session prepared and ready to talk, write, and participate;
this part is the one that students often have trouble with. Make the most of your time here. Here is a secret: class
is actually more interesting, and time goes by faster, when you are prepared and engaged.
Cell Phones and Texting
Our class will be a community of exchanged ideas. I will give you some of my ideas, and more often,
students will share theirs. It is my hope that we are all here for the same reason: to learn! I hope we all can
successfully pick up ideas and ways of thinking about issues and topics that we did not have before. Cell phones
are annoying in class and prevent the stuff above from going on. Let’s all help each other out and keep the
texting and cell phone usage to breaks and after class.
Etiquette and Discussion
During this course, we will engage in discussion about controversial topics (for some), such as race, class, and
other social issues. It is important to respect each other by avoiding hostile language and comments. You may
not agree with the views and opinions expressed by your peers or your instructor, but you do not have the right
to be disrespectful. Thoughtful disagreement and debate are crucial to learning and are thus very much
welcome.
Although this is rarely a problem, racist, sexist, homophobic, and other discriminatory language, along with
personal attacks, vulgarity, and comments that are not productive additions to the conversation will not be
tolerated. This classroom is a safe space for all identities!
College Policies
Academic Integrity (Plagiarism)
Although it is a rare occurrence in the classroom, it does not hurt to remind students to always be aware of
avoiding academic dishonesty.
In accordance with code 9803.28, turning in another’s work as your own and/or using quotes or ideas that are not
your own without citing the original source is considered plagiarism. If using someone else’s exact words, you
need to use quotation marks and cite. In addition, turning in the same essay for more than one class without
notifying the instructors is considered plagiarism. When paraphrasing, you need to cite the original source.
Simply changing a word or two in a sentence is not paraphrasing, nor does it mean that the sentence is original
writing.
If you feel a desire to plagiarize, whether it is because you lack the time to complete the assignment, you don’t
understand the assignment, or perhaps because you don’t feel confident about the assignment, please return
back to this message:
YOU ARE HERE TO LEARN AND GROW. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY ROBS YOU OF THESE
OPPORTUNITIES AND RUNS COUNTER TO DEVELOPMENT. THERE ARE AMPLE
RESOURCES FOR YOU. PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR, AND I AM SURE WE CAN
FIGURE THIS OUT!
Plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment, possible dismissal from the class, and possible disciplinary
action from the college. If you are concerned if you are plagiarizing or not, please do not hesitate to see or
contact me. I am very friendly, encouraging, and supportive until I discover plagiarized writing. Please don’t
do it!
Recording Devices
State law in California prohibits the use of any electronic listening or recording device in a classroom without
prior consent of the instructor and college administration. Any student who needs to use electronic aids must
secure the consent of the instructor. If the instructor agrees to the request, a notice of consent must be forwarded
to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for approval (WLAC College Catalog). For more information, refer
to the attached link: http://www.wlac.edu/academics/pdf/WLAC_Catalog_Policies.pdf
Campus Resources
Office of Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSP&S)
Student Services Building (SSB) 320 | (310) 287-4450
West Los Angeles College recognizes and welcomes its responsibility to provide an equal educational
opportunity to all disabled individuals. The Office of Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) has
been established to provide support services for all verified disabled students pursuing a college education.
DSP&S students may qualify for: priority registration, registration assistance, special parking permits, sign
language interpreters and assistive technology (WLAC College Catalog).
Learning Resource Center
Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4404
Improve your reading, language, vocabulary, spelling, math fundamentals, chemistry knowledge, etc. with
convenient, self-paced computer-aided courses in the Learning Skills Center. Increase your knowledge and
learning success: sign up for tutoring in various college subjects (WLAC College Catalog).
Library Services
Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4269 & (310) 287-4486
The WLAC Library provides instruction on how to use the online catalog, periodical and research databases. In
addition to a large collection of books, periodicals and videos the WLAC Library has course textbooks which
students may use while in the Library. Web access is available in LIRL as well as meeting rooms. The upper
floors provide a beautiful view ideal for study (WLAC College Catalog).
For more information, refer to attached link:
http://www.wlac.edu/academics/pdf/WLAC_Catalog_Policies.pdf
Campus Sherriff’s Office (Emergency Preparedness)
C3 Building, Parking Lot 5 | (310) 287-4311 & (310) 287-4314
For more information, refer to attached link: http://www.wlac.edu/Sheriff/Index.aspx
The Sherriff’s Office website includes information about drill or emergency building evacuations, Title IX
resources (if you have been the victim of Sexual Harassment; Sexual Violence and/or Gender-Based
Discrimination), and what do to in the event of a lock-down or active shooter situation.
Assignments and Grading
# of Total % of Total
Assignment Category Assign. Points Per Assignment Points Grade
Short In-Class Writing 10 2 20 20%
Practice Extended Response 2 20 40 40%
GED Packets 3 10 30 30%
Self-Assessment/Reflection (1-2
1 10 10
pages) 10%
Grand Total 16 100 100 100%
40 - 69 = Satisfactory 0 - 39 = No
70-100 = Pass (P) Progress (SP) Pass (NP)
If an essay is due in class, I will not accept an electronic copy in lieu of a hard copy!
Noncredit course grades are Pass, Satisfactory Progress, and No Pass. Students can also receive an NGG
(no grade given). Noncredit course grades are NOT calculated into one’s grade point average and do
NOT affect one’s financial aid since they have no unit value.
A “Pass” grade is required for this course to be counted towards earning the Foundation of English Certificate
of Competency. See the online catalog for more information on how to earn this certificate at
http://www.wlac.edu/Academic/College-Catalog.aspx
Tentative Course Schedule
Session Topics
1 Introduction to course
(9/10) Brief Instructor Introduction
GED Basics
Reasoning Through Language Arts Overview
2 Structure of the Test
(9/17) • Different Sections and Question Types
the American Revolution
Sample Reading (Short Passage) and Questions
3 CASAS Pre-Testing: Reading (in CE-105)
(9/24)
4 Grammar Review
(10/1) • Parts of a Sentence
• Sentence Types (Simple, Compound, Complex)
• Run On Errors
5 Extended Response Preparation
(10/8) • Structure & Expectations
• Time & Organization
• Sample Passages and Prompt
6 Mapping Out a Text (Main Points)
(10/15) Writing Sample Extended Response #1
7 Sample Extended Response Review
(10/22) Close Reading: Summary and Analysis
• Close Reading Exercises
8 Interpreting Nonfiction and Informational Texts
(10/29) • Purpose
• Tone
• Structure
• Compare and Contrast
9 Interpreting Fiction
(11/5) • Plot Elements
• Inferences
• Theme
• Figurative Language
10 Planning for a Timed Writing
(11/12) Writing Sample Extended Response #2
Revising/Editing a Timed Writing
11 Analyzing Arguments
(11/19) • Validity and Effectiveness of Arguments
• Texts with Opposing Arguments
12 Grammar Review
(11/26) • Subject-Verb Agreement
• Verb Forms and Tenses
Comma Usage
13 Practice Test and Review
(12/3) Goodbye and Planning Ahead
