Intermediate Reading Syllabus: Fall I 2026
Teacher: Heather Hall
Contact email: hhall28@kennesaw.edu
Textbook: Reading Explorer 3 with Spark (National Geographic)
Join Spark here: learn.eltngl.com/enroll/ZC7WZNDE Class Key: ZC7WZNDE
Time and Location: M/W 1-2:30PM, ALC 4200
Course Description:
This intermediate-level reading course focuses on developing essential academic reading
skills. Students will strengthen their ability to comprehend, analyze, and engage with
texts by applying reading and vocabulary strategies. Through critical thinking exercises
and text-based discussions, they will learn to interpret and respond to academic materials
effectively
Course Goals:
During this course, students will learn to …
1. Employ pre-reading strategies (ex: prediction of content, visuals, skimming,
question generation, connections to topic, key words)
2. Employ during-reading strategies (ex: clarification, self-monitoring, question
generation, connections, graphic organizer use)
3. Employ strategies for managing unknown vocabulary (ex: context clues, part of
speech, word parts)
4. Demonstrate comprehension of explicit information in a text (ex: main idea,
details, sequence of events, graphs and charts)
5. Demonstrate comprehension of implicit information in a text (ex: fact vs. opinion,
point-of-view) through language cues, inference, and analysis
6. Apply information from a text to express personal opinions and observations
7. Apply strategies learned in class to locate the main idea and details of outside
sources written at the appropriate language level
8. Apply reading fluency techniques to improve reading speed
Makeup Work Policy: No make-up work will be accepted UNLESS the student
communicates with the instructor. It is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to verify
and submit any work missed within ONE WEEK of the missed class. Assignments turned
in after 11:59pm on the due date will be considered late. Students will receive 50% of the
credit if it is turned in within ONE WEEK. After that, they will receive a 0.
Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy
AI Use Prohibited:
You are expected to generate your own work in this class. When you submit any kind of
work, you are asserting that you have created it completely on your own unless you
indicate otherwise using quotation marks and proper citation for the source(s) you used to
help you. Submitting content that has been generated by someone other than you, or that
was created or assisted by an AI generative tool is cheating and constitutes a violation of
the KSU Code of Academic Integrity.
Academic Integrity:
In U.S. culture, honesty in the completion of class and homework is of high importance
and cheating and plagiarism will cause you problems in your work. The following are
examples of violations of academic integrity:
• Receiving unauthorized assistance in the preparation of classwork, homework, a
writing assignment or on an exam or quiz.
• The unauthorized presence or use of electronic devices, notes, or books during an
exam or quiz.
• Giving, requesting or receiving help from another student on an exam or quiz.
• Using another student’s previously graded work.
• Failure to acknowledge ideas borrowed from other sources, failure to use
quotation marks when using exact words from another text, and/or cutting and
pasting passages from the internet (plagiarism).
• Submitting the same work, or substantially the same work, in more than one class
without the permission of the current instructor.
• Using artificial intelligence, such as Chat GPT, or editing software, such as
Grammarly, to complete writing assignments.
• Reading information from the Internet when recording your speaking assignments.
Possible consequences for academic dishonesty include the following:
o 1st offense: 0 on the assignment with opportunity to re-do the assignment; note
in record
o 2nd offense: 0 on the assignment; note in record
o Further offenses: Students will be referred to the honor and ethics committee
who will determine the consequences, which may include dropping a letter
grade in the course, having to repeat a level, suspension or expulsion from the
program.
o If a student is reported to the office multiple times ACROSS classes and levels,
they will be required to attend a meeting with the honor and ethics committee
at which time consequences will be decided
Grading Policy:
You will receive a letter grade for this course. Your grade will be based on the following:
1. Quizzes (50%): You will take 5 quizzes (10% each) during this course.
2. Homework/Assignments (30%): You will complete online homework on the
Spark platform. Please be sure to complete each assignment by the deadline for
full credit. You will also complete outside reading assignments. You may be
assigned additional homework/assignments during the course.
3. Final Project (20%): You will complete a final project at the end of the course.
A= 90-100 B=80-89
C=75-79
D= 70-74
F= 69 and below
At the end of the 8-week session, you will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or F. This will
help you understand how you performed in this class during this session. A grade of A,
B, or C shows that you have completed the work and met the course goals and objectives.
A grade of D or F shows that you have not met the course goals and objectives in this
class. Advancement to the next level requires passing grades in classes as well as
appropriate scores on the end of session tests (EPT, Writing, and Oral interview).
Extra credit policy:
The potential extra credit offered in this course will be bonus questions on quizzes, extra
assignments, and/or working with an English Language Tutor through the English
Language Program at the Writing Center (Sturgis 4800). Your tutor can help you with
your assignments and any reading/language skills that you would like to improve. To
make an appointment with the ELP, please go to
https://campus.kennesaw.edu/current-students/academics/writing-center/english
language-program/index.php or email elp@kennesaw.edu.
Other course policies:
1. RESPECT and consideration for others precedes all.
2. Be prepared and arrive early to class so we can start on time.
3. Turn off and put away cell phones (unless the teacher says otherwise)
Suggested Course Schedule (Subject to change):
Date Chapter/Topic Reading Skills Homework/Quizzes
8/10
Introduction Main Idea
Reading Questionnaire
8/12, 8/14
Chapter 1: Sports
and Fitness
Main Ideas/Details,
Predictions, Infographics,
Scanning for Specific
Information
Outside Reading 1 due
8/14
8/19, 8/24 Chapter 2: Skin
Deep
Analyzing a Writer’s Claims,
Summarizing the Main Idea
of Paragraphs
Chapter 1 Online HW
and Quiz: 8/19
8/26, 8/31 Chapter 3:
Animals in
Danger
Determining the Meaning of
Unfamiliar Words,
Annotating a Passage
Chapter 2 Online HW
and Quiz: 8/26
Outside Reading 2 due
8/31
9/2, 9/9
Chapter 4: Violent
Earth
Summarizing a Text,
Analyzing Infographics
Chapter 3 Online HW
and Quiz: 9/2
9/14, 9/16
Chapter 6: Global
Addictions
Identifying Pros and Cons,
Identifying an Author’s
Opinion
Chapter 4 Online HW
and Quiz: 9/14
Outside Reading 3 due
9/16
9/21, 9/23,
9/28
Fluency Practice
Final Project
Apply reading fluency
techniques to improve
reading speed
Chapter 6 Online HW
and Quiz: 9/21
9/23, 9/28 Final Project Main Idea/Details
Applying Info from a Text
Work on Final Project
9/30 Present Final
Projects
Applying Info from a Text Final Project due 9/30
Fall I 2026 Intermediate Reading Syllabus.pdf