LANGUAGE ARTS OVERVIEW
LANGUAGE ARTS (One grade)
Students receive one grade for reading and writing, although I will assess them separately
Q1--Identity
It's a Mystery
Whole class novel: The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Area of emphasis: Claim, evidence, reasoning, supporting an argument
Major work due: Comparative lit essays (Independent mystery vs Hound, Hound book vs Hound movie
Area of emphasis: Claim, evidence, reasoning, supporting an argument
Major work due: Comparative lit essays (Independent mystery vs Hound, Hound book vs Hound movie
Q2--ELEMENTS OF FICTION and creative writing
Whole class: short science fiction
Area of emphasis: Elements of story: plot, theme, characterization, dialogue, description
Major work due: nanowrimo novel (NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth)
Area of emphasis: Elements of story: plot, theme, characterization, dialogue, description
Major work due: nanowrimo novel (NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth)
Q3--1940s William and Mary (WWII, Holocaust, Hiroshima)
Whole class: speeches, background, 40's era memoirs and informational texts
Area of emphasis: Research, organization and components of argumentative/persuasive essay writing
Major work due: persuasive essay/research paper on a topic of controversy from WWII, novel study group work
Area of emphasis: Research, organization and components of argumentative/persuasive essay writing
Major work due: persuasive essay/research paper on a topic of controversy from WWII, novel study group work
Q4--Hero's Journey
Whole class: Oedipus, Homer's Odyssey, Star Wars (movie), Star Wars in Shakespearean, Much Ado About Nothing
Area of emphasis: narrative, critical analysis, acting/presenting
Major work due: Homeric poem, Independent novel study with project relating the Hero's Journey
Area of emphasis: narrative, critical analysis, acting/presenting
Major work due: Homeric poem, Independent novel study with project relating the Hero's Journey
LANGUAGE ARTS HOMEWORK
Here are the general expectations for homework in language arts:
Students should be reading an average of 45 minutes a night. That is an expectation for gifted middle school students.
READING homework (weekly)
This is generally given out on Friday, and is due the following Friday by class. It will be short pieces that relate to the topics we are discussing in class and 3-6 responses to write. Those responses can be "written" with dictation or speech-to-text software. I do not grade the writing, but rather the evidence of comprehension. I give students a week because I know there are competing interests for their time. It is not intended to be done in one night, and will be a huge burden if students try to do it in one night.
READING homework (monthly): One independent novel and report
Every month, students need to have independently read at least one book and create a report. There will be a menu of options for this report, many of which will not be writing.
Free Read in class (Fridays)
We will go to the library on Fridays, and much of that day will be taken up with free-reading and review of homework.
SPELLING (weekly)
5 spelling words due in class on Tuesday (These come from their own work. They are not assigned.)
Studying spelling Tuesday and Wednesday nights for 10-20 minutes with a break in between.
Spelling test on Thursday
UNIT PROJECT
There will be one piece each quarter that will likely require some work at home. Many students finish in time given in class, so it is not assigned as homework.
UNFINISHED CLASSWORK
I am careful to provide work time in class for assignments we are working on. If students do not finish in class, however, that assignment becomes homework. I offer students my room to work during recess, and most days after school until 3:30. I am generally open to accepting late work if I feel a student has used their time wisely in class, and really needs extra time.
Students should be reading an average of 45 minutes a night. That is an expectation for gifted middle school students.
READING homework (weekly)
This is generally given out on Friday, and is due the following Friday by class. It will be short pieces that relate to the topics we are discussing in class and 3-6 responses to write. Those responses can be "written" with dictation or speech-to-text software. I do not grade the writing, but rather the evidence of comprehension. I give students a week because I know there are competing interests for their time. It is not intended to be done in one night, and will be a huge burden if students try to do it in one night.
READING homework (monthly): One independent novel and report
Every month, students need to have independently read at least one book and create a report. There will be a menu of options for this report, many of which will not be writing.
Free Read in class (Fridays)
We will go to the library on Fridays, and much of that day will be taken up with free-reading and review of homework.
SPELLING (weekly)
5 spelling words due in class on Tuesday (These come from their own work. They are not assigned.)
Studying spelling Tuesday and Wednesday nights for 10-20 minutes with a break in between.
Spelling test on Thursday
UNIT PROJECT
There will be one piece each quarter that will likely require some work at home. Many students finish in time given in class, so it is not assigned as homework.
UNFINISHED CLASSWORK
I am careful to provide work time in class for assignments we are working on. If students do not finish in class, however, that assignment becomes homework. I offer students my room to work during recess, and most days after school until 3:30. I am generally open to accepting late work if I feel a student has used their time wisely in class, and really needs extra time.