CHUCK'S COURSE SYLLABI - SPRING, 2005 ESL 3 COURSE SYLLABUS - DAY 1 ESL 4 COURSE SYLLABUS - DAY 1 ESL 17 COURSE SYLLABUS - DAY 1 DAY 2 COURSE SYLLABUS DAY 3 COURSE SYLLABUS ESL 3 (XXXXX) - COURSE SYLLABUS COLLEGE READING AND WRITING SKILLS 1 HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE - Fall, 2005 DAY 1: SPECIFIC CLASS INFORMATION Instructor:   Chuck Whitley Class Hours:   MWF: 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. Class Location:   Bld. 7, Room 420 Instructor's Office:   Bld. 7, Room 408 Office Hours:   MW: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.;    TTh: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.;   F: 11:00 - 12:00 noon. ESL 3 COURSE DESCRIPTION      This course will provide students with a foundation in reading and writing skills necessary to succeed in subsequent English, liberal arts, and technical/occupational courses. There are two components to this class. One component is reading and the other is writing. In the reading component, focus is on comprehension and vocabulary development. Students will: Use a reading textbook to study selections that were written for native speakers of English. Use instructor-prepared paraphrases as an aid to comprehension of the selections in the reading textbook. Study vocabulary, both written and orally, from a vocabulary textbook that was written for American high school students, focusing on both meaning and commonly used parts of speech. Go online to read news articles that are selected for American high school students. Read two well-known American novels. In the writing component, focus is on writing sentences and paragraphs. Students will: Use a writing textbook that gives a variety of writing assignments for practice in writing different kinds of short, standard paragraphs. Write short reactions to events in the novels and/or real life events. Write full sentences based on news headlines. Write paraphrases based on main points in news articles. Write paragraphs that summarize online news articles. Learn to avoid plagiarism through the use of paraphrases and by properly citing sources. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of ESL 3, a student should be able to demonstrate the ability to: Read for specific purposes. Comprehend a variety of reading materials both in print and online. Understand and use, in written form, and orally, vocabulary from the vocabulary text along with other commonly used forms, or parts of speech. Identify the main points and supporting details in various reading selections. Engage in pre-writing activities. Write clear, effective sentences and paragraphs. Grammatically edit sentences and paragraphs. Edit irrelevant ideas out of paragraphs. Summarize online news stories by rewriting headlines and paraphrasing main points. Write citations for online news stories. Work in groups sharing and reporting information. Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes is Achieved by: Daily oral comprehension question and answer sessions on current reading material. Frequent quizzes on comprehension of class readings plus frequent quizzers on comprehension and usage of vocabulary and commonly used parts of speech. Frequent instructor evaluation of academic paragraphs based on suggestions in the writing textbook. Frequent instructor evaluation of paragraphs that summarize online news stories along with citations for each news story. Periodic instruction evaluation of student-written journals based on reading material in the short novels. An end-of-the-term evaluation of each student’s ability to write an in-class summary of a selected a news article. An end-of-the-term evaluation of each student’s ability to write an in-class paragraph based on styles and forms from the writing textbook. A grade equivalency score of 9.0 or higher on the language portion of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS Reading textbook: Reading Matters 3 Vocabulary textbook: Building Vocabulary Skills. Writing textbook: Blueprints 1. Short novels: 1) The Old Man and the Sea. 2) The Pearl. A large three-ring binder. One set of index dividers. A supply of white, lined, loose-leaf notebook paper that is standard size: 8.5" X 11". A supply of white printer paper (also standard size). BASIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS ESL 4 (24333) - COURSE SYLLABUS GRAMMAR 1 HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE - Spring, 2005 DAY 1: SPECIFIC CLASS INFORMATION Instructor:   Chuck Whitley Class Hours:   TTh: 11:30 - 12:45 p.m. Class Location:   Bld. 7, Room 435 Instructor's Office:   Bld. 7, Room 408 Office Hours:   MW: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.;    TTh: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.;   F: 11:00 - 12:00 noon. ESL 4 COURSE DESCRIPTION      This Internet enhanced course consists of study and practice in using high beginning to intermediate level grammar in all areas of English, including writing, reading, listening, and speaking. It provides students with a foundation in grammar skills in English necessary to succeed in subsequent English, liberal arts, and technical/occupational courses. here at HCC. Some of the activities of this class include: Classroom discussion and study of grammar points in the grammar textbook. Homework practice using exercises on the grammar textbook and additional exercises that the instructor will bring in to the class. Writing of simple paragraphs with a focus on content and grammar. Going on the Intenet to visit Web sites that offer practice to ESL students in listening, grammar, vocabulary, and reading. Doing homework assignments that are based on online ESL Web sites. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of ESL 4, the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to: Understand how basic-level English grammar works. Use basic-level English grammar correctly in both speaking and writing. Write grammatically correct sentences that answer questions about online listening and reading material. Write grammatically correct simple paragraphs related to online reading material and/or other topics related to classroom activities. Work with a partner to edit and correct written homework assignments. Use basic computer skills to locate and use online ESL learning materials as a way to do independent study of English. Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes is Achieved by: Frequent grammar quizzes based on the grammar exercises in the textbook. Frequent instructor evaluation of written work based on the grammar textbook. Frequent instructor evaluation of written work based on online ESL material. Frequent instructor evaluation of paragraphs related to online reading material. An end-of-the-term evaluation of each student’s ability to write an in-class paragraph based on an online reading selection. An end-of-the-term cumulative exam covering the grammar exercises in the grammar textbook REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS Reading textbook: Grammar Express for Self-Study and Classroom Use . A large three-ring binder. One set of index dividers. A supply of white, lined, loose-leaf notebook paper that is standard size: 8.5" X 11". A supply of white printer paper (also standard size). BASIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS ESL 17 (24332) - COURSE SYLLABUS GRAMMAR 1 HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE - Spring, 2005 DAY 1: SPECIFIC CLASS INFORMATION Instructor:   Chuck Whitley Class Hours:   MW: 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. Class Location:   Bld. 7, Room 435 Instructor's Office:   Bld. 7, Room 408 Office Hours:   MW: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.;    TTh: 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.;   F: 11:00 - 12:00 noon. ESL 17 COURSE DESCRIPTION      Despite its name, ESL 17 is an English course, not a computer course. It is a second-level, content-based English class that teaches reading, vocabulary development, writing, listening, and speaking in a computer-Internet environment. In addition to raising overall English skills, it provides students with advanced-level skills in using the most commonly used computer software. It gives students a high level of computer literacy and allows them to easily move around in a computer-Internet environment in the modern world. It also virtually guarantees a smooth entry into and successful exit from ICS 100.      ESL 17 is only for students who already have some computer experience. Basic computer skills, for example, basic word processing skills, are not taught in this class. Basic computer skills must be learned before registering for this class. (ESL students with no computer experience must take ESL 7, which is a hands-on, basic-skills computer class, before registering for ESL 17.) If you have absolutely no experience with computers, and are registered for ESL 17, you should drop the course, enroll in ESL 7, and plan to take ESL 17 during the next term.      Students are given daily English homework assignments, which means doing assignments related to listening, vocabulary development, reading, and/or writing. All writing assignments must be done on a computer, either in the computer lab or on a home computer. These assignments provide hands-on practice related to the classroom computer-based topics. Some of the activities of this class include: Reading selected material, in print form, taken from computer textbooks, relating to basic knowledge about the history and workings of coumputers. Using instructor-prepared paraphrases as an aid to comprehension of the reading selections from computer textbooks. Reading online articles, written in academic language, about searching the Web and using word processing to answer comprehension questions about the matierial. Doing online searches using currently popular search engines and subject directories. Collecting useful Web addresses (URLs) and storing them online for iimmediate use from any computer that is connected to the Internet. Reading online news articles and writing summary paragraphs about them. This includes writing paraphrases of main points and techniques for citing sources as a way to avoid plagiarism. Doing in-class listening practice of computer-and-Internet-related information taken from the computer-Internet dictionary. Using the HCC WebMail system for online communication. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of ESL 17, the student should be able to: Demonstrate basic understanding of computers and how they work, both in terms of hardware and software. Demonstrate basic understanding of the Internet and the role that it plays in modern life. Demonstrate knowledge about and skills in using advanced-level Internet search techniques. Demonstrate knowledge about and skills in not only locating Web sites that are related to students’ individual fields of study, but also of setting up online storage of URLs for those sites. Demonstrate receptive and productive use of specialized vocabulary relating to computers and the Internet. Demonstrate the ability to understand oral presentations related to computer and Internet topics. Demonstrate the ability to read and understand online news articles related to current events, along with the ability to summarize and to document sources. Demonstrate the ability to create and work with professional level word-processing documents that require high-level skills in both English and in using word-processing software. Demonstrate the ability to use HCC email, following currently acceptable online writing styles. Demonstrate skills in using online resources for a life-long learning process, in whatever subjects individuals are interested in. Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes is Achieved by: Daily oral comprehension question and answer sessions on current reading material. Correction and review of daily assignments using software that is the basis for the course, that is, word processing, a Web browser, and email. Frequent comprehension quizzes covering class readings plus frequent quizzes on computer/Internet-related vocabulary. Periodic listening quizzes based on material in the computer/Internet dictionary. Periodic instructor evaluation of paragraphs that summarize online news stories along with citations for each news story. Periodic instructor evaluation of printouts that are results of assigned online searches. Periodic instructor evaluation of printouts showing URLs being collected and kept for immediate use at an online URL storage site. Periodic in-class use of a computer/Internet dictionary as a resource for the development of both vocabulary and listening skills. An end-of-the-term evaluation of each student’s ability to write an in-class summary of a selected a news article. An end-of-the-term cumulative exam covering both print and online reading material. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS Nist, Sherrie and , Carole MOhr Improving Vocabulary Skills - Third Edition. West Berlin, New Jersey: Townsend Press, 2002. . A large three-ring binder. One set of index dividers. A supply of white, lined, loose-leaf notebook paper that is standard size: 8.5" X 11". A supply of white printer paper (also standard size). BASIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS BASIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS      To review and/or to brush up basic computer skills, students in this class are required to attend three one-hour introductory computer training sessions in the HCC computer lab. These training sessions, called workshops, are held only during the first two of weeks of the term. There are three of these one-hour training session, and they are repeated again and again on different days and at different times. The workshops cover the topics of using word processing, using the Internet, and using e-mail. Students can choose a convenient time and attend one session of each of the three workshops. Students in this class are also required to sign up, in the computer lab, for an HCC email account      To pass this class and to receive credit for it, there are basic requirements that must be met. The basic requirements are related to 1) always coming to class, that is, attendance, 2) always doing homework, and turning it in on time, 3) passing quizzes related to class materials, and 4) classroom conduct. Attendance: Students should never be absent from class. That means students should attend every class meeting. At the end of the term, if a student has been absent five class hours, the student’s final grade will drop one step. Students should always come to class on time. Being late three times for class will be considered one absence. A student who is absent for a total of eight or more class hours during the 16-week term will not pass, nor receive credit for, this course. Homework: Homework will be assigned in class almost every day. Each assignment must be finished before the beginning of the next class meeting and turned in on time along with everyone else’s assignments. All written homework, that is, writing sentences or paragraphs, will be done on a computer using word processing software. Each student will do his or her own homework. Copying another student’s homework is not allowed. Sharing computer printouts for homework is not allowed. Every day the instructor will post homework assignments on the WWW at the Web site called “ChucksHomework.” Students should go to “ChucksHomework” daily to check the homework (and sometimes quizzes) that are assigned for the next class. (If a student is absent because of sickness, that student must go to “ChucksHomework” to find out what the homework for the next class is and be prepared to turn in the homework in the next class meeting along with the other students.) At the end of the term, if a students has six missing assignments, the student’s final grade will drop one step. A student who misses doing a total of eight or more homework assignments during the 16-week term will not pass, nor receive credit for, this course. Quizzes: In this class, throughout the term, the instructor will often give small quizzes that are based on class materials. The instructor will always inform the class when a quiz is to be given in the next class, and when a quiz is assigned for the next class, the instructor will include that information with the homework assignments that are posted on “ChucksHomework.” (Again, if a student is absent because of sickness, that student must go to “ChucksHomework” not only to find out what the homework for the next class is, but to also find out if a quiz is being given in the next class. If a quiz is assigned, the student must be prepared to take the quiz during the next class meeting along with the other students.) The instructor prefers many small quizzes instead of a few large tests, since a student can do poorly on a small quiz and still end up with a good average grade. If a student misses a quiz because of having an unexcused late or absence, the student will receive an automatic grade of F for the quiz that was missed. Make up quizzes are not given in this course. At the end of the term, a student who has scored no higher than an average of D on quiz scores will not pass, nor receive credit for, this course. Conduct: This is a college class and during each class meeting, students are expected to be adults and to act in a mature way. Students are expected to be serious about study and to be serious about learning as much as possible in this class. Students are expected to show respect for everyone in the room, including other students, visitors that might come in, and the instructor. (One way of showing respect is by turning off cell phones and pagers before coming into the classroom. Never, never allow a cell phone to ring during a class.) If a student’s behavior, or language, is inappropriate and disrespectful, it affects everyone in the class and interferes with the progress of the class. If the behavior of a student is not appropriate during class, the instructor will tell the student to leave the classroom. The student will be marked absent for that day and the instructor will keep a record of the disturbance. A student who does that three times during the term will have a one-step drop in the final grade. A student who does that five times during the term will not pass, nor receive credit for, this course. After the fifth disturbance, the student will be told to drop the class. Final grades: At the end of the term, each student in this class will receive a final grade of A, B, C, D, F, or N. The final grade is based on attendance, homework, quizzes, classwork, and conduct. Syllabus Continued:Part 2 of this Course Syllabus is given out and discussed in the second class meeting. Part 2 will have more detailed information about basic course requirements and will include other important information about this course. CHUCK'S CLASSES - COURSE SYLLABUS DAY 2: ADDITIONAL CLASS INFORMATION Attendance: As you read during the first class, always coming to class and being on time every time is a basic requirement for this class. If a student does come late to class, it is the responsibility of the student to stay after class and tell the teacher that he or she was late that day. This is to make certain that the student’s attendance mark is changed from an absence to a late, since the instructor may not remember to do so, or may not notice that the student came in. Remember three lates are equal to one absence. Five class hours of absences will result in a drop of one step in the final grade. Seven class hours of absences will result in a final grade of F. Homework: Also as you read before, all homework assignments should be done on time. Doing homework assignments and personal study outside of class is as important as coming to class and is absolutely critical to improvement in English skills. Each student should set aside a daily block of time in which to do homework assignments and personal study. Students should always save homework assignments after they have been used in class. They are useful for students’ general review and are necessary to prepare for quizzes and tests. All homework assignments that involve written work, meaning sentences or paragraphs, are to be done on a computer using word processing software. Even if students have computers at home, the instructor would like to encourage everyone to use the computers in the computer lab in building 2, room 405, to do homework, especially at the beginning of the term, because people are always available in the lab to help when computer-related problems arise.. As was mentioned on the first day, each student has to do his or her own homework. Copying another student’s homework is not allowed. Sharing computer printouts for homework is not allowed. Homework assignments from the instructor have to be completed before coming to class on the day the assignments are due. Vocabulary assignments, for example, are done when students are reading a certain reading selection in order to help in comprehension of the reading selection as it is being used. When that reading selection is the focus of classwork, a student who has not completed the vocabulary assignment in advance will not be able to fully understand or participate and will slow down the progress of the entire class. The educational value of the homework is lost if it isn’t done when it is assigned. For that reason, late homework will not be accepted by the instructor. Homework assignments must be turned in together, in class, as a group. Your instructor has a number of different classes, some with large numbers of students. That means he is not able to take homework assignments piece by piece from different students at different times in different places. Generally e-mail is not to be used for homework. Unless a particular assignment is to actually use e-mail, no homework sent by e-mail will be accepted by the instructor. Remember that students who have, at the end of the term, six or more missing homework assignments will have a one-step drop in the final grade. Students who have eight or more missing homework assignments at the end of the term will receive a final grade of F for this course.. Preparedness.: Each student must be prepared when coming to every class. Being prepared here means bringing appropriate materials to class, that is, textbooks, handouts, completed assignments, a red pen, and pencils and paper. It means sharpening pencils before class starts. Being prepared also means being seated and ready to begin the class at the scheduled time. Quizzes.: Students take many quizzes and/or tests throughout the term. A student who is late for class or who is absent is likely to miss a quiz and will be given an F for any quiz or test that is missed. Due to time considerations, no make up quizzes or tests can be given. Grades.: A student who is serious about being in school will do his or her very best throughout the term. That student will always keep his or her final grade in mind. A serious student will not waste two-thirds of the term by doing little or nothing, and then, near the end of the term, ask the instructor what can be done to raise the grade. At the end of the semester, each student will receive a final grade of A, B, C, D, F, or N. (The “N” grade will be used only for someone who was not able to complete the course because of some kind of serious outside emergency or for someone who tried his or her very best, but still couldn’t complete the course.) The final grade is based on quizzes, attendance, work in class, homework, and conduct. Honesty.: In this class a very basic issue is that each student must be responsible for doing his or her own work. This is important for each person as an individual and it’s important for the class as a whole. For both homework and quizzes, the work that is turned in should be the work of one person. If a student copies someone else’s homework outside class, the instructor will easily realize it when the homework is turned in. If two students try to turn in two printouts of the same homework paper, again the instructor will know this immediately, even if different fonts and different names are put on each printout. Not only will the instructor refuse to accept any work that has been copied, he will give no opportunity to redo or to make up that work. A student who copies anything will receive an F for that activity and a student who allows another to copy will also receive an F. General Conduct.: Students who are registered in this class must clearly understand from the beginning that it is the responsibility of everyone in the class to conduct themselves as mature, responsible adults. Anyone who feels he or she cannot control his or her behavior and act with some degree of self-discipline, should drop this class. If the class isn’t dropped, the result will be a failing grade at the end of the term, no matter what the quiz and homework grades are. There are a number of things to keep in mind when deciding if behavior in the classroom is appropriate or inappropriate. For example, once class has started, students should remain in their seats until the class is finished, except in the case of emergencies. (In this country, it is both rude and distracting to have someone going in and out of the classroom while the class is in progress.) During a class, students should not do things like eat food, chew gum, chew beetle nut, listen to a cassette or CD player, wear sunglasses, or make unnecessary conversation with neighbors. Cellular phones, pagers, beepers, are not to be brought into the classroom. If one has to be carried around, it is the responsibility of the owner to turn the ringing or beeping off before stepping into the classroom. If a student’s cell phone rings, or a pager beeps, etc., during a class, the student will be asked to leave the classroom and will be marked absent for that day. Everything that is done in the classroom should be done with one aim in mind and that is to improve everyone’s English ability. Any action that doesn't directly help to improve everyone's English should be avoided. This instructor likes both being serious, when trying to accomplish something in the classroom, and relaxing a bit between activities, if time allows. It is important for students to follow the instructor and to know when it is important to be serious and when it is okay to relax a bit. As for as the class is concerned, however, being serious if far more important in the classroom because everyone’s purpose is, of course, to learn something. Remember that a student’s inappropriate behavior will result in that student being asked to leave the classroom. If that happens three times the student will have a one-step drop in the final grade and after five times, the student will not receive credit for, nor pass, the class. Using English.: Students must use only English during class hours. Everyone will speak English whether students speak the same native language or not. Students must also use only English/English dictionaries in class, either in print or online. Translation dictionaries are often misleading and English handheld electronic dictionaries are often limited. Those will not to be used during class. Participation.: Each student must participate in class. (A student is not participating if he or she is talking to a neighbor, doing homework, daydreaming, or not doing what the rest of the class is doing.) When working with a partner or with a group, students must talk to their partners or to their group members and be a part of the group. Sleeping during class.: Sometimes because of late-night activities, a few students can’t seem to keep their eyes open during class. If a student is dozing or sleeping in class, the instructor will ask the student to go to the restroom and put water in his or her eyes to help to wake up. If that happens two times during one class meeting, the student will be marked absent for that day. Using a Computer.: Most homework assignments in this class require the use of a computer. (Students are not required to have computers at home, but those with computers and an Internet connection can do most of this work on their home computers, if they want to.) Computers are available for everyone to use in the computer lab in building 2, room 405. As mentioned earlier, the good thing about going to the computer lab and doing assignments there, even if a student has a computer at home, is that people are always available in the lab to help when help is needed. During the first class meeting, all students in this class were given an assignment paper to go to the computer lab, get an email account, and attend three workshops. That paper will be completed and returned to the instructor of this class at the end of the second week of the term. (These free workshops in computer training are given only during the first two weeks of the term. Students who miss attending them at that time have no more chances to attend until the beginning of the next term.) General Class Standards.: The information in the course requirements makes it clear that this instructor sets high standards for both himself and for students in his classes. The instructor promises to do the very best he can possibly do to make sure that this is an interesting and useful class for everyone. He promises to make every effort to insure that students leave this class at the end of the term with considerably more knowledge and skill than when the class started. In return, these are things that the instructor expects from every student. In summary, here are some of those things. The instructor expects each student to: ...have a good, positive attitude. ...act in a mature and responsible way. ...take responsibility for his/her own actions. ...be willing and able to follow the teacher. ...accept criticism and suggestions from others. ...be serious about study and interested in the class. ...see the class as being useful and helpful. ...be prepared for class and prepared to study. ...turn in homework with others on time. ...take time to do work in the best possible way. ...be honest in doing all work for the class. ...stay in the classroom throughout the entire class. ...use only English and suitable language. ...avoid using language that is inappropriate or language that discriminates against others. ...stay alert and engaged in class activities. ...talk and participate when appropriate during class. ...be quiet and attentive when appropriate during class. ...be helpful to the class and to others in the room. ...be careful to be respectful of everyone in the room. ...be friendly, pleasant, and polite to everyone. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS Cassette or Digital Recorders.: This is not a requirement, but for many students, bringing a recorder to class, and recording selected sections of the class, is very helpful. For example, a student who has problems with listening to and understanding spoken English can record in the class and use that recording for outside listening practice. The same thing can be done to help pronunciation. Students in this country often record classes and use the recordings for note-taking outside the classroom, allowing them to focus more on what’s going on in the class. There are many reasons to record in class, and if a student doesn’t have a small recorder, this might be a good time to consider buying one and bringing it to class. Life away from school: Having a job.: Having an outside job is, for many people, absolutely necessary and most people have outside jobs at the same time that they are taking courses. Doing both is difficult, but with careful scheduling of time, it is possible. (When the instructor was a student, both as an undergraduate and as a graduate student, he worked, so he fully understands the difficulties that are involved in trying to manage both.) Each person has to decide what is really important for him or her right now and then try to arrange something that supports that decision. (A working student, for example, might choose to reduce the amount of hours that is spent working each week, and therefore have more time to focus on classes and study. Or that student might choose to continue to work the same number of hours and take fewer classes.) Whatever arrangements a student makes, everyone in this class is responsible for doing the same work and turning in assignments at the same time. Work can not be used as an excuse for not coming to class or for not doing homework. Job responsibilities must be balanced with responsibilities as a student. If the two things are balanced, a person can deal with both in a responsible and mature way. If they are not balanced, academic problems are likely to be the result. This is important enough to repeat: each student must decide what is important and then do whatever is necessary to support that decision. Life away from school: Personal problems.: Personal problems are certainly not a requirement for this course, but they definitely seem to be a requirement for life. Everyone has problems at one time or another. Avoiding problems is sometimes not an option, but there are always options in choosing how to deal with those problems. Everyone has to be able to continue to live their lives while trying to solve their problems. Also while trying to solve their problems, everyone has to continue to do all the things they are responsible for doing. People who are successful in life are people who can continue to live their lives even though they are currently dealing with some kind of problem. People who are not successful allow their problems to interfere with other parts of their lives and prevent them from doing whatever they need to be doing. When that happens, problems get most of the attention and other things in life are ignored. Personal problems can not be used as an excuse for not coming to class or for not doing homework. Again, balance is important. Problems must be dealt with, but life has to go on. If all of one’s focus is given over to some kind of personal problem, academic problems are almost certain to be the result. Your instructor’s advice is this: when you have a problem, do what is necessary to deal with it, and don’t let that problem interfere with your studies. When you come to class, leave your problems in a bag outside the door. You can pick them up again on the way out. (And if you just forget about them, that might not be a bad thing.) CHUCK'S CLASSES - COURSE SYLLABUS DAY 3 OR AFTER REGISTERING LATE AND/OR MISSING THE FIRST FEW CLASS MEETINGS      The instructor is giving you this information because you have didn’t attend the first two class meetings. He is not giving you this information to make you feel bad or to discourage you. He is, in good faith, giving you this information so that you can better and more realistically understand what your situation is. Missing the first few class meetings. Although HCC allows for late registration, it is a serious matter when a student misses the first few meetings of a class. It is, in fact, something that a student should seriously think about. That is because, unfortunately, for one reason or another, a large percentage of students who miss the first few class meetings of a class, in the end, don’t pass the class. Disadvantages of missing the first few class meetings. A student who misses the first few days of a class must understand that even though there might be a very good and valid reason for doing this, he or she is beginning the class at a disadvantage compared to the others in the class. Everything about beginning this new class will be harder for that student than for other students in the class. The student who misses the first few class meetings has missed the most important time of the term, because during the first few class meetings, students understand what the course is about, what the requirements are, and how to do homework for the class. Students are also beginning to get to know each other and everyone, including the instructor, is beginning to feel comfortable with the class as a special and unique group of people. During the first few meetings of a class students are building up their confidence in themselves as they see how the class operates, and are building up confidence in the teacher as they see what kind of person he is and what he expects to accomplish during the term. Understanding the course requirements. For a student who misses the first few class meetings, it is his or her responsibility to read and understand the two parts of the course syllabus that the instructor has already given out to the other students. It is the responsibility of the late student to clearly understand what the requirements for the course are, as stated in the first two parts of the course syllabus. That includes requirements for attendance, homework, quizzes, and conduct. Textbooks and materials. It is the responsibility of the late student to purchase all textbooks and materials that are required for the course and to bring those to the next class meeting. Homework. It is also the responsibility of the late student to learn what homework has been assigned and to do it, and turn it in, within the next two class meetings. Quizzes. When a quiz is given over any material that was covered before the student began to attend the class, that student is responsible for knowing the material and for taking the quiz along with everyone else in the class. Being excused and being marked absent. If there is a valid reason for starting the class late, this ESL instructor will excuse the first two meetings of the class, but only the first two meetings. From the third class meeting, if a student has not started class, that class, and each succeeding class, will be counted as an absence until the student has started to attend. For this instructor to accept a student into a class, the student must attend at least the last class meeting of the second week of the term. If a student is not attending class by the last class meeting of the second week, this instructor will not accept that student into the class.