Notes to the Instructor

Having an uneasy relationship with one’s brain is probably a common human experience. Who hasn’t struggled to learn something new, forgotten an important detail, or wished away a personality quirk? I’ve dealt with this struggle, and I’ve seen it in my basic education students.

My objective with this course pack is twofold. I strive to celebrate human brains in all their diversity. I also aim to explore brain-based tools for empowering ourselves to reach our goals.

This theme-based, integrated skills course pack is designed to meet the learning outcomes for Adult Literacy Fundamental English Level 5, as outlined in the ABE in BC 2014/2015 Articulation Handbook. This is roughly equivalent to grades 6 to 7.5 in the K-12 system.

The curriculum in this course pack is based on the readings found in BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 5. The reader includes nine level-appropriate, high-interest readings of 500 to 800 words each. Convenient links to the readings are embedded in each chapter of this course pack.

Each chapter of the course pack contains:

• Pre-reading questions that can be used for individual reflection, journaling, or class discussion
• Vocabulary-building exercises
• Comprehension questions
• Spelling lists and exercises
• Grammar lessons and exercises
• Writing tasks

For detailed information, please refer to the Level 5 Scope and Sequence document, also available in printable form in Appendix 3.

This course pack makes use of a number of graphic organizers to help students organize their thoughts in a visual way. You can download the complete set of organizers in Appendix 1. Students can also download and print them as needed, through the links embedded throughout the course pack.

In Appendix 2, you will find checklists to score the writing tasks assigned at the end of each chapter.

You may wish to use this program online, or you may wish to print it for your students by downloading it as a PDF. This program was designed to suit both options. Font size and line spacing can be adjusted in the online view, and have been enhanced for the print and PDF versions for easier reading. (In addition, both epub and mobi files are offered for students with e-readers and Kindles.) This course pack has been reviewed by subject experts from colleges and universities.

I hope these pages help learners to appreciate their unique brains and discover strategies for a lifetime of learning.

-Shantel Ivits