This curriculum guide, one of 15 volumes written for field test use with educationally disadvantaged industrial education students needing additional instruction in the basic skill areas, deals with helping students develop basic reading and writing skills while studying auto mechanics. Addressed in the individual units of the guide are the following topics: developing vocabulary and spelling skills, using the library, understanding technical vocabulary in context, and mastering writing and composition skills. Each unit contains some or all of the following: a discussion of the major concepts of the technique being covered, instructions to the teacher concerning the use of the given technique, suggested related activities, student instructions, a student assignment, supplemental activities, and one or more worksheets. A basic skills checklist and a basic skills verification form are also provided to assist teachers in identifying those students who require additional help with basic skills. (MN)