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<strong>International</strong> <strong>Teacher</strong> <strong>Education</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> <strong>2014</strong><br />

international students, prior to sitting for the COMPASS. Boot Camp instructional units are delivered in a 50-<br />

minute, 5-day format, with integrated formative self-assessment and summative assessment components as units<br />

progressed. Units focus on the fundamental elements of college-level writing and reading comprehension, and<br />

each integrates content from preceding units, with the goal of skill-building and mastery of material. A brief<br />

overview of the COMPASS instruction components includes this summary of learning modules, the design of<br />

the unit, and example of curriculum:<br />

UNIT 1: Basic English Grammar<br />

• Parts of Speech: Words placed into categories based on function<br />

• Parts of a sentence: Words that make up the two main parts of a sentence: subject and predicate<br />

• Agreement: Verbs<br />

• Punctuation and Mechanics: Using correct punctuation and mechanics to clarify the meaning of a<br />

sentence<br />

• COMPASS sample assessment (Unit 1)<br />

UNIT 2: Reading Strategies and Keyword Identification<br />

• Word Choice Mastery: Identification of specific words over general words<br />

• Categorizing Phrases: Headings, Introductions, Conclusions, Summaries<br />

• Make predictions: View pictures, table of contents, chapter headings, maps, diagrams, and visual<br />

features, and determine meaning<br />

• Active Reading: Emphasizing necessary information<br />

• Search Strategy: Scan contents for keywords and visuals<br />

• COMPASS sample assessment (Unit 1 and Unit 2)<br />

UNIT 3: Topic Sentence and Support Sentence Development and Meaning<br />

• Controlling idea or claim: Main topic identification<br />

• Organization of information: Building one idea to the next<br />

• Sentence Structure and Clarity: Complete and clear thoughts<br />

• Transitions: Keyword identification for connecting ideas<br />

• Signposts: Keyword identification for reading comprehension<br />

• COMPASS sample assessment (Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3)<br />

UNIT 4: Paragraph Development: Key Identification (2 weeks)<br />

• Describe the topic: Starting with what you know<br />

• Analyze the topic: Interpretation of topic parts<br />

• Examples and Illustrations: Specifics support the general narrative<br />

• Verbal Bridges: Keywords, synonyms, transition words<br />

• Key Data: facts, statistics, evidence, details<br />

• Compare and contrast: Similarities and differences<br />

• Cause and Effect: Why things happen (causes) and what happens as a result (effects)<br />

• Chronology of event: time segments<br />

• COMPASS sample assessment (Units 1 – 4)<br />

UNIT 5: COMPASS sample placement test<br />

• Students will sit for a complete COMPASS assessment that scores their reading comprehension and<br />

writing skill knowledge<br />

While the above daily schedule illustrates the scaffolded learning of this boot camp model, it is also helpful to<br />

see how each unit is designed and the time allotted for a sample unit. The table below is an example of<br />

classroom structure followed by instructors to help international students learn and practice elements of Basic<br />

English grammar, such as punctuation and parts of speech.<br />

How a COMPASS Prep Unit is Designed: Sample Basic English Grammar Schedule<br />

LENGTH: MINUTES INSTRUCTION DETAILS – Punctuation and Grammar<br />

30 ‘Define and use’ instruction: overview of common punctuation used in standard English writing:<br />

periods, question marks, commas, apostrophes<br />

15 Skill-Drill: correctly punctuate an instructor-prepared paragraph<br />

714

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