The Language Arts class is an integrated reading and writing course designed to assist students to reach necessary reading and writing competencies needed for college success. It will help students improve their skills and develop useful strategies in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and proper use of the English language. There are weekly reading and writing assignments, and a short practice research paper. Like a college class, we meet once a week for 2 ½ hours. Individualized instruction helps the student bridge the gap between what is remembered from high school English, and what will be needed to participate at the college level.

Writing is an exploration:.
“You start from nothing and learn as you go.”
— E. L. Doctorow

Academic Counseling: TBA / Counselor

Each student meets at least three times with the Academic Counselor. In these sessions the student articulates his or her goals for the future, designs an action plan, and explores post-secondary resources. The counselor also helps the student with college applications, financial aid paperwork, and college course selection.

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College Prep Mathematics: Martha Price / Instructor

Transitional students preparing for college wonder, even worry, about their math skills. One of the College Connection math class objectives is to increase confidence in working with numbers by exploring ways students are already using math. These applications will be part of a basic math skills review to assist students with college placement tests and/ or entry-level college math courses. The program will also develop skills in problem solving by learning and practicing problem solving techniques. Each class will participate in determining how to individualize and assess work throughout the semester. This review will be coordinated with pre-algebra and even elementary algebra for those who are skills ready. Student feedback will always be valued and often requested.

Course objectives:
— to develop a foundation of math skills enabling students to pass college entrance exams and to take entry level college math classes
— to develop skills in problem solving by learning and practicing problem solving techniques
— to develop confidence in working with numbers
— to explore ways students are already using math and then find ways to build on these abilities

College Math Skills Checklist

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Computer Basics: Carolyn Haskell / Instructor

The Computer Basics class is designed for all students to obtain the necessary skills in using a computer to succeed in college. Weekly explorations include:

• Proper Internet search techniques for finding information
• Exploration of on-line resources
• Learning to navigate the University of Maine's Fogler Library on-line resource system
• Learning how to format a college paper properly (your professor will think you've been doing it for years!)
• Integrating the computer and writing (language arts) in formatting a 5-6 page college paper (due at the end of the semester)
• Tutorials in computer basics, Word, and more!

The classes are fun, relaxed, and supportive for the first-time user to the more advanced computer user. Everyone should have access to an email address as well as a computer. Weekly homework assignments, self-paced tutorial exams, and projects will be assigned throughout the 15 weeks.

College Awareness: Carolyn Haskell / Instructor

This class focuses on the issues that are important for those who want to prepare for the "real world" of becoming a college student. Topics such as:

• financial aid — workshop with Maine Educational Opportunity Center's (MEOC) representative, Joanne Richards
• study skills, test taking strategies, reading for college, note-taking tips
• career exploration & guidance counseling
• college application assistance
• time management & stress management
• college tour
• guest speakers
• weekly readings & writing assignments
• and more!

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