Monday, August 31, 2009

Buy your Textbook Online

When you purchase your textbook, make sure it is the 5th or 6th edition of the Introduction to Critical Reading by Leah McCraney:

textbooks.com

Buy.com

Amazon.com

ichapters.com

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Welcome Fall Reading Students

Hi Reading Students,
Classes start Tuesday, September 1 for the Tuesday-Thursday classes and on Monday, August 31 for the M-W-Friday classes. We will have no school on Monday, September 7, Labor Day. If you wish to add any of the classes, please show up on the first day. Enrolled students who don't show up the first day of class will be dropped and replaced by added students.

Now that the business is taken care of: Welcome to class. Hopefully in this class you'll pick up tips to improve your college reading, including vocabulary building, better comprehension of what you read, the ability to read critically, and to help you better think for yourself.

I will do my best to teach you well, pass you, and prepare you for you future classes, however, you must put out effort as well. Sign of your interest in the passing the class would include showing up on time, getting your books ASAP, and respecting the educational environment. You will also be required to do at least an hour of lab work online each week from our class web page at http://english.glendale.edu. With English 190 comes the assignment of a book review due at the end of the semester.

The main textbook is "Introduction to Critical Reading". It is a collection of readings, poems, stories and articles. Everyone needs a copy. I use the same book for English 188 and English 190, so you may already have this book. New and used copies of the book are in the bookstore, but if you can find it cheaper on the internet at amazon.com, or any other bookseller, you can get it there. Just make sure you get the latest edition. The other book is the class syllabus. This book is available from the bookstore for about $8, but you may also download and print a free copy off the internet by going to our class web page at http://english.glendale.edu. Everybody needs a copy of this. We will work on the lessons in class, and the book must be filled in as we work and be finished by the final exam. Part of your participation grade is determined by completion of the syllabus book.

This first week we will go over classroom basic information and procedures. We will also do a preliminary standardized reading test for which you'll need a pencil and a scantron answer sheet. You must also finish the first week of lab work at http://english.glendale.edu.

Buy your textbooks and do the week 1 lab work. See you soon.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Mr.Doyle will be off campus on Friday, July 24th

As stated in the online syllabus, Mr.Doyle will be off campus on Friday, July 24th. Final Exams for English 190 are/were on Thursday the 23rd. If you missed the deadlines for the final and to turn in your green syllabus book and book report, you have one more chance to make up the material. Mr.Doyle will be on campus in his office (in LB203) on Monday, July 27 in the morning between 9 and 10. This will be the last chance to turn in assignments and to take the test. Everything must be finished before 11AM. Book reports and syllabi may be slipped under the door before this date, but will not count after 11AM on Monday.

If you want to know your grade, e-mail Mr.Doyle next week at: ddoyle@glendale.edu .

Have a great rest-of-the-summer.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Final Exam Schedule Summer 2009

All finals will be during regular class time on Thursday, July 23. Mr.Doyle has a meeting out of town on Friday, so Thursday will be our last day. On that day you will need a scantron, a pencil, your syllabus book and your book report. The book report is due on Thursday, or may be delivered to Mr.Doyle's office by noon on Friday, or sent in an e-mail by midnight Friday. I will grade your syllabus book while you take the test. The grades must be turned-in on Monday, so any lab work or book reports sent to me after Saturday won't count. If you want to find out your scores and grade, send an e-mail to Mr.Doyle next week at ddoyle@glendale.edu.

Friday, July 3, 2009

You are Invited to an Evening of Irish Music

You are Invited to an Evening of Irish Music
featuring
Dennis Doyle, Celtic Harp and Song
Paula Doyle, Vocalist
Terry Doyle, Guitar and Vocals,
and a special secret surprise guest
at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center
Evening Concert Under the Stars Series
Next Wednesday, July 8, 2009, 7:30PM
4316 Lanai Rd
Encino, Ca 91436
PH: 818.784.4515
Fax: 818.784.0409
E-mail:
HSRCenter@earthlink.net

http://english.glendale.edu/doyle2008spirit.html

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Bring Your Outside Reading Book to Class

Bring your outside reading book to class on Thursday, July 2, so that Mr.Doyle can look the book over and so that we can do a readability level for the text.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Questions my Students are asking

Professor Doyle,

Good Morning. I seem to be having some issues with the quiz for the lab work. It requires "Javascript" and I have javascript but I try over and over again to solve the solution but I simply Cant; I was wondering what do you recommend to do about this even for future reference?

,Manuel A.



Hi Manuel,

Let me know exactly which link is giving you the problem, for example, when you get to our web page at http://english.glendale.cc.ca.us/e190summer.html, is your problem doing week#1, item #12. When you do those vocabulary quizes, tap on the button "next question" to start the test.

Mr.D.



--------------------------


Remember students: we have this Friday off when the college celebrates Independence Day.

This week, I need you to select you outside book report reading book. Bring the book to show Mr.Doyle. Everyone needs their book by Thursday.


-------------------------


Hello Professor Doyle,
This is Anna B., I am the new student added onto your English 190 class for 10:30am today. I hope you remember me. Anyways I just wanted to ask if the lessons on your webpage had to be completed each day or by the end of the week. I did the first lesson today since I missed class yesterday and I got a 4 out of 10. I'm just not sure how your grading works and I wanted to know if I could recieve a little more information just to make sure I will do okay in your class. Thank you for taking the time into reading this I'm looking forward from hearing you soon!

-Anna


Hi Anna,
The lab work is due each week by the Saturday night at midnight. Go to http://english.glendale.cc.ca.us/e190summer.html and then do all the items marked lesson or quiz.
On the lessons, if you get 6 or more done out of 10, you move on to the next set of lessons. If you get 4 out of 10, you should do the lesson over again, but not more that one more time whether you pass it our not.

Mr.D

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Summer Classes Start June 22, 2009

Summer Classes Start June 22, 2009. Welcome Summer English 190 students. If you have attempted to register and found that the class is closed, please see me on the first day of class in AD242 and I will add students to my class up to the number of chairs I have available. If you are enrolled, be sure to show up the first day, or I will give someone else your seat.

This semester is very short (only 5 weeks, M-F) and class will go by very quickly, so you must GET YOUR BOOKS as soon as possible. If you have my old English 188 text, Introduction to Critical Reading, by McCraney, we will be using the same text, but with different passages. You'll need to buy or download a new English 190 Syllabus, which you must fill in as we work the class and turn in at the end. See more about how to get your books on the class web page english.glendale.edu. This semester, you will be required to read an outside recreational reading book and do a book report according to my particular standards. We will discuss this in the second week.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Reading Classes Final Exam Schedule

2784
English 190
TTh 10:15-11:47
AD 242
Final Exam:Thursday, June 4, 10:30AM

2955
English 190
MWF 8:15-9:16
AD 242
Final Exam:Monday, June 8, 7:30AM

2969
English 190
TTh 8:30-10:02
AD 242
Final Exam:Tuesday, June 9, 7:30AM

2964
English 190
MWF 10:45-11:46
AD 242
Final Exam:Monday, June 8, 10:30AM

2767
English 188
MWF 9:30AM-10:31
AD 242
Final Exam: Wednesday, June 3, 7:30AM

2788
English 192
TTh 1:15PM- 2:47PM
AD242
Final Exam:Tuesday, June 9th 1:30

How to do the book report?

Mr. Doyle I am in your 190 class. I am not sure how the book report is suppose to be is there a standard way we need to follow?


Yes, to do the book report, simple answer in complete sentences all the questions on pages 11 and 12 in your syllabus. Here it is for your reference:

Use this format for the book report. You may use the program "Microsoft Word" to write your report.

The book report should be about 4 to 6 pages long and be written in a simple, concise, clear style. It may be shorter if your ideas are complete and longer if you are not too wordy. Don't simply copy pages out of the book or quotes from the cover as some students have in the past. I prefer the work to be typed, double-spaced with writing on only one side of the paper, but your neat handwriting or printing in black or blue ink is acceptable.

You should thoroughly answer these questions:
1. What is the name of the book? Who is the author? Who is the publisher? How many pages are in the book? These questions should be answered in one or two complete sentences. You don't need to rewrite the question; simply number the answer.

2. What kind of book is it? Fiction? Non-fiction? Biography? Argumentation? This is a couple of sentences long. Say what makes it "fiction" or "non-fiction".

3. How many days did it take you to read this book? This is about one sentence.

4. Who are the top three or four characters? Tell me about them. Why are they important? List them and say a little about each one. This could be about a half a page to over a page long.

5. Tell me what the book is about. Summarize the plot. Use your own words and ideas to describe the story. If the book is a collection of short stories, pick the three best and explain their plots. If the book is not fiction, explain the main idea and the supporting details or arguments. If it is organized historically, give a list of the important events in the text. This could run from one and a half page to several pages. Don't make it too long or too short; you don't need to explain every little detail in the plot).

6. Now give me some analysis of the book. Tell me why you liked or did not like it. Was it too hard or easy to understand? Was the vocabulary too hard? Would you recommend it to a friend? Did you see a movie or video of the book? How is it different form the real book? How would you judge the author? Was the story something you could relate to or was it not connected to your real life? This could be one to several pages. Don't forget this part. Most students do well on the summary of the book (question#5) but only write a few sentences for this question. Do a good analysis.

What's on the Final test?

hello mr. doyle
my name is albert i am in your eng. 190 class MWF 10:45-11:45
i have a question about the final.
is it going be on the vocab and root words only?
or is their other things i need to study as well?
if you can please let me know i would really appreciate it
please and thank you.


Hi XXX,

The final test in Eng 190 will include:

- vocabulary from our literature pieces in the expensive book,
-vocabulary from the Greek and Latin roots,
-finding main ideas in paragraphs
-reading and understanding outlines,
-telling the difference between fact and opinion,
-telling the difference between types of propaganda,
-telling the difference between general and specific ideas.

Mr.D.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Mr.Doyle Will be Absent Today and Friday

Mr.Doyle will be absent Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15 due to a head cold and a doctor's appointment. See you next week. Everyone should catch up on their labwork. Students in English 190 and 192 should be working on their book reports due on the last day of class. (Standards for the book report for English 190 is on pages 11-12 in the syllabus).

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Los Angeles Time Festival of Books This Weekend at UCLA



Hi Reading Students:
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is this weekend at UCLA from 10AM to 5PM. Everything is free except for parking ($9). Hundreds of famous authors and actors will be there, including Ray Bradbury, Michael J. Fox, Cloris Leachman, Henry Winkler, Mike Farrell, Steve Lopez, and many more. Between workshops and exhibits, there is constant music entertainment and readings.

Bring back evidence that you were at the festival and I'll give you 4 hours of lab work.

See you there!

http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/

Monday, March 23, 2009

Mr.Doyle's Schedule 3/24/09-3/27/09

Mr.Doyle's Tuesday classes (3/24/09) are cancelled because he will be off campus at the TechEd Conference in Ontario.

Mr.Doyle will hold his regular classes on Wednesday and Thursday 3/25/09-3/26/09), so be sure to show up! Be sure to register your personal reading book and look up information on your author if you haven't done it yet. Do your lab work for week 6.

Mr.Doyle's classes on Friday (3/27/09) are cancelled because he needs to go to a funeral that morning.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Select Your Personal Reading Book this Week

This is just a reminder to select your personal Reading book this week. For the T-Th class, you should bring your book on Thursday. For the MWF classes, bring your book on Friday. Your book should be about 150 to 300 pages which you have not read before. The book may be fiction, non-fiction or whatever. Find something that you are interested in and that you are likely to finish in time. You should carry the book with you in class and be prepared to do some assignments based on the book.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Get Your Books!

At this point, which is near the end of our second week of school, everyone should have their textbooks. The required syllabus/wookbook is available free as an online pdf from your class web page. The remaining books should be in your hands by now, or you should be awaiting an order from amazon.com or another internet vendor. There is some limited help with the cost of textbooks from a school program. See your counselor about this program.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Your Log-In Records will be available Monday Morning

If you wish to see if Mr.Doyle is getting your lab work, check the link on the web page that says:

    Your lab work check-in record


each Monday morning. Finish your lab work by Saturday night; on Sunday, Mr.Doyle collates the scores, strips personal information from them, then on Monday mornings posts them on the web site. If you miss the Saturday deadline, you will need to wait a week to see if your scores are getting through.

Questions from my students...

Hi Mr. Doyle, Im XXX Im taking your English 188 class.
Im so Sorry but today i had a family emergency and i was out all day, and to top it all off im having problem connecting to the internet....ill be lucky to complete this message and send it to you.
My problem is that because of all of this going on i was not able to complete the lessons online, iv been trying to but it keeps disconnecting. i will still keep trying to log on hopefully i could get it done even dough its going to be late.

Thank you,
XXX

No problem,

take care of your family and finish your lab work later. you can do both week's work next week.

Mr.D



Hi Mr Doyle,am XXX in your 192 class. i was doing the the home work and i had confusion how you advance to card numbers when you get certain score. for resistance 80 percent.


Hi XXX,

After you correct your work, there is a link that says "select your next card". Don't go there. Just use the return arrow to go back, back to our class web page, then do the next lesson listed on the page.

Mr.D.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Questions My Students are Asking...

Hi professor Doyle how r u today? this is XXX... well i am sending you this yahoo message because I am having a small problem with the LAB work u assigned us. well the problem is the understanding or the assignment, do I have to do the LAB week one? you now the assignments with the pages from the book , although i don't have the book at this moment i am not eligible to finish the assignment i was wondering what i should do?

Hey XXX:
Go to english.glendale.edu and navigate to our class web page. Log-on to the page by typing your last name first, then first name, then your GCC student ID. We are in week#1 now, so you need to do the work for week#1 before Saturday night. Do only the links marked as lessons or quizes. The lessons ask you to draw a conclusion based on the limited information in the question. There is nothing else to read, either in the book or online. You must guest the answers based on the question.


Hey Mr. Doyle, Im XXX from your English 190 class from 8:15 to 9:16. I was wondering how im really supppose to do this assignment because when i put my name, last name and I.D. number, it doesnt work, it just keeps on saying page error....So i was wondering if you can tell me how to access it right...okay Mr. Doyle.....Thank you.

Hey XXX,

I just checked it from home and it's working for me.....are you sure you're not hitting RESET instead of SUBMIT? Use SUBMIT. Also, it might not work if you have a poor connection to the internet. Try it again...

Mr.D.


Hello Mr. Doyle,
I just wanted to double cheek that you received my work for week one. Could you email me back as soon as you receive it .

Thanks

XXX
190 ( T-TH 10:45-11:47) at GCC

Hi,

I checked my data and yes, your info is getting through.

Mr.D.
p.s. Don't worry, I publish your check-in record every Monday



Hi professor Dennis Doyle this is XXX from your english 190 class, i needed some clarifying for the lab work thats due on Saturday morning. Just to confirm that im doing the right thing because im not 100% positive on what to do. For week #1 we're supposed to do lessons 94A, 94B, and 94c right? If so, are we supposed to read the selection from the media to get the answers for the questions asked on 94a, 94b, and 94c? Or are we supposed to get the information from the book, if we do i must've missed that part. thanks for the help.

Hi Mr. Doyle
Im XXX, your student of Glendale College class ENG 190.
I was trying to do the Lab. Work 1st week, but about lessons 94 A,B and C I am not pretty sure how to do it, please can you explain me a little bit that point.
Thank you
Sincerely
XXX

-------

Hello Prof. Doyle,
My name is XXX and I am in your 10:15am class. I was unable to do the lab work. Reason being i didnt not understand the questions. Did we need to reand something from the book? or online? I am very responsiable about my work. this i can say will only be the time I am late with my work. Can you please explain to me how we where suppossed to answet the questions.

Thank You





Hi XXX,

No, with the 94A,94B, etc. lessons, you need to simply guess the answer based on the small amount of information given in the question. The questions are not based on any other outside readings from the media or from the book. They are trying to build in you the ability to draw a conclusion based on limited information. Give it a try. These lessons are kinda hard at first and most people only get about half of them right at first crack.

Mr.D.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Welcome New Spring Reading Students

By this time, I have met all my classes and things are looking good. Your task now is to get into "student" mode by getting your books as soon as possible. We will start using them next week. For the rest of this week, I will be giving you a diagnostic reading test. You will need a scantron and a #2 pencil. I will have scantrons from the Learning Center available for sale, but it's cheaper to buy your own. I also strongly recommend that you try to find a used copy of our text, Introduction to Critical Reading by McCrainey.

Be sure to finish your lab work for week #1 by Saturday night. Do all the links marked "lessons".

For my classes meeting MWF, I will be missing class on Friday, February 27; I have a conference that I need to attend. For my T-TH classes I may also be missing on Tuesday March 2. More information later.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Winter English 190 Classes

Welcome Winter English 190 students. If you have attempted to register and found that the class is closed, please see me on the first day of class in AD242 and I will add students to my class up to the number of chairs I have available. If you are enrolled, be sure to show up the first day, or I will give someone else your seat.

This semester is very short (only 6 weeks, M-Th) and class will go by very quickly, so you must GET YOUR BOOKS as soon as possible. If you have my old English 188 text, Introduction to Critical Reading, by McCraney, we will be using the same text, but with different passages. You'll need to buy or download a new English 190 Syllabus, which you must fill in as we work the class and turn in at the end. See more about how to get your books on the class web page english.glendale.edu. This semester, you will be required to read an outside recreational reading book and do a book report according to my particular standards. We will discuss this in the second week.