Class Information
BE SURE TO CHECK THE IMPORTANT DATES FOR INFORMATION ON WHAT WE ARE COVERING NOW IN CLASS.
Course Description:
The language arts curriculum encompasses much: reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing. Since the students have reading as a separate class this year, we will be addressing writing, speaking, listening, and viewing in the LA class this year.
WRITING:
Writing is done on a daily basis. At times we will be working in a "writing workshop" where different kinds of writing are modeled and the students are given class time to engage in the writing process. The aspects of the writing process that are being stressed this year are revision and editing (two very different steps) and the final grade on their pieces will be linked to what we have been covering in class as well as their growth in writing. Some of the kinds of writing we will address this year are personal and persuasive essays, poetry, a multigenre research paper, the five paragraph essay', possibly a short story, and an extensive independent study in the second half of the year which results in a research paper.
SPEAKING, LISTENING, VIEWING:
Speaking, listening, and viewing are address within the reading and writing projects in both the language arts and reading classes.
VOCABULARY:
The Vocabulary Workshop program is a challenging series that the students have had before. It is my strong recommendation that they make "cards" for each unit, and prepare sentences before the quizzes and tests. The unit work is not checked until after the quiz for the unit, however I suggest that the students do the work right after it is assigned (there is usually a week to do it or more) and come to check the work with the answer keys. This is done to encourage student responsibility. I also volunteered to read over any sentences they have prepared, as long as I have them by Wednesday before the quiz or test.
Class Policy:
All students are expected to do the work and grow in skill. Within the classroom they are expected to come to class prepared, participate in the lessons, pay attention, and cooperate. For the most part, there are no problems with this at all this year. This 5% of their grade.
Homework, which also helps develop the skills of organization and self-responsibility, is expected to be complete and on time. It constitutes 25% of their marking period grade. It is very important and the student's own responsibility. If a student has problems in this area, they need to ask their teachers for help.
Quizzes are preparation for a coming test and help the students learn as the material is presented. They are 20% of the grade.
Tests are they way we see if the student is learning what they need to know. Usually, preparation for a test requires good study habits and prioritizing of their time. They should be studying whenever material is presented and reviewing as work goes along and notes are given. Tests are 50% of their grade in language arts. Test grades are also given for writing projects and other projects.
I stress in class the goal of learning. Grades are certainly important but individual growth as a student and as life-long learner are far more important. Please remember that the grades earned in middle school (which is an age of transition and difficult in many aspects) are only important here.