CourseDescription:English
Description: This course of study is concerned with building the necessary skills to allowstudents to become literate, critical thinkers by using American literature asa tool for learning.
Resources: Several textbooks, workbooks, websites, novels, and other supplementary materials will be utilized to facilitate learning. Assignments will be selected from the following sources: American Literature, English Composition, Spelling Connections, Writer’s Solution, Written Basic English, Reading and Reasoning,Empower3000.com, MobyMax.com, IXL.com, and select novels including Bridge to Terabithia, Hatchet, The Secret Garden, Shiloh, The Outsiders, Tangerine, A Long Way from Chicago, A Year Down Yonder, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, Because of Winn Dixie, The Cay,Bud, Not Buddy, The Pearl, Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, Lord of the Flies, among others.
Note: Class novels will be chosen based on the student’s abilities and interests and willclosely mirror the themes of the mainstream curriculum. We read the class novels together and they are supplemented by audio, comprehension activities, writing assignments and class discussion.
Supplies: Students are required to possess a one-inch binder with 5 sections including Writing, Vocabulary, Literature, Independent Book, and Reading Skills. A homework folder can be used on a daily basis if the student chooses to leave the binder in the classroom. An assignment book is also required to keep track of homework, projects, and tests.
Class Routine: Students enter the classroom with a writing prompt on the screen waiting for them. Students are asked to write their response continuously for 10 minutes in the writing section of their binder. Volunteers are requested to share their responses with the class. Homework is then checked individually and each student is given a sticker to show appropriate completion. We review the homework together as a class and each student is required to participate. The teaching assistant and I circulate during this process to ensure all students are focused and are correcting their work. After the homework review, we begin our lesson. Each day of the week focuses on a different aspect of English.
The weekly routine is as follows:
Day 1- Vocabulary Lesson
Day 2- Language Arts Skills
Day 3- Literature Lesson
Day 4- Reading Skills
Note: When the week does not meet 4 times, we will omit the vocabulary lesson and focus on a writing assignment.
Book Share Project: Students are required to read an independent book at home. They will have the opportunity to share their own book with the class at the end of each marking period. Choices will be provided and include a book jacket, traditional one typed page summary and opinion, a board game, character poster and description, a time line or a Power Point presentation.
Grading: Students will be given 10 points for each homework assignment. Class assignments are also given 10 points. Quizzes are worth 20 points, formal essays are 50 points and the Book Share Project is worth 50 points. Partial credit will be given for incomplete or late work. Students are welcome to retake any quiz and encouraged to come for extra help at lunch or after school in room 911.
Class Rules:
- Be on time.
- Be prepared.
- Raise your hand.
- Sign out when leaving class room.
- Participate during class.
- Follow instructions.
- Show respect for others.
Parent Communication: Please email me when you have a question or concern. I will do my best to address your concern as soon as possible. Refer to Genesis to monitor grades, read my School Wires page to see what your child is leaning about, and check your child’s assignment book for homework completion. Please encourage your child to do his/her best. If they are experiencing difficulty, they should let me know and I will provide additional time and individual instruction. Please sign below to acknowledge this form.
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