Week 1: Chapter 1, "Getting Started"

• Set up cooperative learning base groups (3 - 4 students/group)
• Portfolio assignment: "Why College?" activity (p. 12, Exercise 1.2)
• Invite someone from Financial Aid to visit your class during the first three weeks of the semester. (Many students don't know that aid is available.) Call 5004 in Winter Haven and 6117 or 6102 in Lakeland. A speaker will be available for both day and evening classes.

Week 2: Chapter 1 continued Goal setting

• Begin discussing library skills
• Learn how to find a book using the online catalog (LINCC)
• Learn how to explore a topic using encyclopedias
• Portflio assignment: Personal Mission Statement (pp. 24 - 25)

Week 3: Chapter 2 "Managing Your Time"

• Portfolio assignment: Make a Time Plan (pp. 45 - 47)
• Try an introductory library activity
• Library activity: Finding periodical articles in the library and online

Week 4: Meet the TLCC

• Word processing, tutors, learning software
• Explore the PCC website (www.polk.cc.fl.us)
• Portfolio assignment: TLCC map and learning plan

Week 5: Chapter 2 continued Time conflicts and lifestyles

• Portfolio assignment: Two Lifestyle Changes (Write a paragraph about two specific lifestyle changes you are making that will help you succeed in college. The two Stephen Covey questions on p. 28 can help students focus on needed changes.)

Week 6: Chapter 3 "Getting the Most Out of Class"

• Listening, Notetaking
• Try a more advanced library activity
• Portfolio assignment: My Learning Style (See pp. 68 - 72; write a paragraph explaining how knowing your learning preferences will help you succeed in college)

Week 7: Chapter 4 "Active Learning" Memory techniques

• Discuss the nature and scope of research
• Group assignment: Explore College Resources (Groups compile a list of college resources they might use, along with room numbers and names of important college personnel. Remind groups that the college catalog and website will be helpful.)

Week 8: Chapter 4 continued

• Introduce countries assignment to cooperative learning groups. Assign countries to individual groups. Book a session in the library this week and ask a librarian to get your groups started. PCC's libraries designed this assignment and can give you expert help.

Week 9: Chapter 5, "Taking Tests" anxiety, test-taking strategies

• Portfolio assignment: Strategies for Dealing with Stress
• Collaborative Activity: Know the College

Week 10: Chapter 6, "Active Reading"

• Strategies for comprehension and critical reading
• Library activity: country profile research using the reference and book collections (group members commit to researching assigned parts of the overall assignment)

Week 11: Chapter 7, "Critical Thinking" problem-solving strategies

• Library activity: Continue country profile using online resources (group members commit to researching assigned parts of the overall assignment)

Week 12: Chapter 8, "Success with Language"

• Portfolio assignment:: Learning Plan for Writing and Speech Classes (write a personal paragraph about strategies for success)
• Library activity: country profile (work in your group)

Week 13: Chapter 9, "Studying Science"

• Lab reports, test taking, reading a science textbook, learning logs
• Portfolio assignment: Learning Plan for Science (write a personal paragraph about strategies for success)
• These links give students a useful overview of the scientific method and thinking skills vital to science: The Seven Warning Signs of Bogus Science and Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit.

Week 14: Chapter 11, "Introduction to Research"

• Country profile due
• Library activity: View and discuss the video: "Navigating the Sea of Information" in class; have students compare the project they just completed with the ideas discussed in the video
• A useful website: http://www.lib.umn.edu/help/calculator/

Week 15: Chapter 10, "Studying Mathematics"

• Test taking, problem solving
• In-class math activities
• Reading a math textbook, learning logs, math anxiety
• Portfolio assignment: Learning Plan for Mathematics (write a personal paragraph about strategies for success)

Week 16: Party