The Art of Language

What I expect from you: -
Come to my class each day prepared to work and have fun.

When you come to class, bring-

pens, (they are MUCH better than pencils – explanation in class)
LA notebook, reading book, agenda
Assigned work/homework that is due
and most importantly – AN OPEN MIND

Homework: Write your homework down in your agenda.

Assignments will appear on the white board in my room AND

on the blog page of this website (homepage)

Many of my assignments are done on line through Google docs, Prezi and the website.  For those of you without computer access at home, you are welcome to use the computer in my room before or after school, or at the Westerly Library. Please let me know what you need.

Make good choices about: -
~What you read
~What you write
~How you behave

Participate
-Share your knowledge and insights
-Deepen and broaden your reading and writing life
-Ask questions when you don’t understand or need clarification
-Conference with classmates, and me but keep your focus

Use your notebook
-Take mini lesson notes in class
-Respond to your reading
-Keep a record of your reading life on Google docs

Keep a writers notebook
Use your Writer’s notebook as part of the writing process

READ VORACIOUSLY
WRITE COPIOUSLY (and with honesty)

What you can expect from me: -
I will: -
~ Help you to succeed and push you to improve
~Be fair in grading and discipline
~ Contact your parents about your progress both good and bad
~ Continue to expand my expertise in reading and writing
~ Share my reading and writing life, knowledge and insights
~ Listen to your ideas
~ Help you make good choices
~ Give feedback as quickly and honestly as I can

Grading - I grade almost everything to give you credit for what you do
(Percentages are approximate and change according to the trimester)

Reading projects and assessments 35%
Writing projects and assessments 35% (Final drafts include spelling and grammar)
Spelling and Grammar 20%
Participation (includes some homework) 10%

I am not a fan of extra credit, but do offer it from time to time.  If you do what I ask, hand it in on time and take the responsibility to communicate with me, you will have no trouble maintaining an A or a B in my class.  I believe the work I ask you to do is essential to your growth as a reader and a writer so there isn’t that much need for ‘extra’ work.  There is no limit on how much you read or write.  Those who choose to do more on their own are rewarded through grading.

Units and Projects

~Using claims and Evidence

~ Etymology-  understanding how Greek and Latin roots and prefixes shape word meaning
~ Daniel’s Story – historical fiction about a boy who experiences the Holocaust in World War II Germany (to prepare for Holocaust Museum visit in Wash. D.C.)
~ Soundtrack of Your Life – personal narrative/ creative non-fiction, Produce audio projects on Garage Band

- Mokita reading workshop – Choice of books around the theme of truth, lies and deception

~Persuasive reading and writing

~Debating – prepare a position and defend it in teams

~ Independent Projects – includes choice in writing and reading workshop fiction, profiles, screenplays, product reviews, non-fiction
~ The Power of One –Reading and writing projects on the theme of war and hardship

~ Short Story reading and writing including suspense and mystery
~ CMT preparation