College Success Activities for PARADE Instructors

College Success instructors in the Parade program are paid for six hours per week even though the class meets for only three hours. The remaining time is to be used for supplemental workshops and activities beyond normal homework.

You are invited to use your professionalism and creativity to devise activities for your students. Do bear in mind, though, that math and library skills are typically the greatest stumbling blocks for students. Activities in these areas will help ensure students' success in college.

Also consider possibilities that will expand your students' cultural experiences and awareness of diversity issues.

Please consider sharing any activities that you design so other instructors can try them. (You will be given credit by name.)

Here's a suggested list to get you started. In some cases your students will be performing an activity on their own--for example, watching a TV program or touring a museum. Your contribution will be listening to or reading a report. In other cases you might be conducting a workshop with a group of students or the whole class.

Information Literacy:
Try one or more of the basic Information Literacy activities.
Try one or more of the advanced Information Literacy activities.
Do the countries assignment (strongly recommended!).
In groups, have students practice basic searching skills. (Email Sharon Bevis or call her at 297-1010 EXT 5050 for information about reserving a computer classroom. The computer classroom in Winter Haven is WLR 317. You'll need to pick up the key in the TLCC. The PCC password for student computers is STUDENT.)

Mathematics:
Have groups make a fraction kit.
Try the math activities at this website.
Use graph paper to convert fractions to percents.

Public Broadcasting:
Watch an informative program on PBS, such as Nova or The American Experience (Channel 3, 16, or 24). Go to the PBS website (www.pbs.org) to learn more about the subject of the program. Make an oral report or write a summary.

Listen to a segment on National Public Broadcasting (89.7, WUSF-FM) during Morning Edition (5 to 8:30 a.m.) or All Things Considered (4 to 6 p.m.). Write a brief summary. Go to the NPR website (www.npr.org) to learn more about the segment.

PCC Resources:
Visit the TLCC and list the software, tutoring services, and other learning aids related to your college program. Tell others in your class what's available. Bring brochures to distribute.

Attend a free theater production at PCC. Information about performances is posted on the PCC website. Make an oral report or write a summary.

Community Resources:
Visit the Polk Museum of Art. Make an oral report or write a summary.

Attend a free Saturday film at the Polk Museum of Art (688-7743). Make an oral report or write a summary.

Visit Hollis Gardens in Lakeland. It's free; hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to dusk. Call the Parks Department at 834-6035 for more information. Read the brochure to find out what's special about the gardens. Make an oral report or write a summary.

Questions, comments, or suggestions? Email Jean Reynolds or call 863-293-8496. Thanks!