In order to ensure a successful academic year, all the information below should be carefully reviewed and followed. It is also available on my teacher website.
Course Description: In reading, students will focus on comprehension and analytical reading skills through the study of a variety of authors and genres. Students will learn how successful readers think and visualize when they read, interact with, and examine text. In writing, we will focus on construction narrative, expository, persuasive, and research pieces. Additionally, we will learn how to write meaningful and concise short responses, summaries, and be able to cite text references.
Curriculum: This year we are using the EL Education curriculum. The curriculum for this course aligns with the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Language Arts and the new College and Career Readiness Standards for Atlanta Public Schools.
Novels and Topics for the Year 1st Semester: During the first semester we will focus on the themes of finding home, taking a stand, and comedy in Shakespeare. We will be reading: 1st Quarter Inside Out and back Again by Thanhha Lai To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee 2nd Quarter A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
2nd Semester: In the 2nd semester we will focus on Japanese- American relations during WWII, the Civil Rights Movement and the Little Rock Nine, and sustainability of the US supply chain 3rd Quarter: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand 4th Quarter: A Mighty Long Way by Carlotta Walls Lanier The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Classwork/Homework Policy Work Submission: All submitted work must have a proper heading. A completed, quality effort assignment must include complete sentences for short answer responses. Students are expected to complete reading and writing assignments every evening. It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve missed handouts/assignments from the “Missed Assignments” folder in the back of the room. Assignments for the week are posted on my teacher webpage. Students have one day for each excused absence to turn in missing work. In the event of an extended absence, personal arrangements will be made.
Plagiarism/Academic Integrity Academic integrity is expected on all assignments. Plagiarism is defined as presenting the work of another as one’s own. Cheating on an assignment or assessment is another activity that violates ethics and school rules. Any work that exhibits cheating/plagiarism will result in a zero, parental notification, and disciplinary action may be taken.
Grading Policy All grades will be based on points and weighted using the scale below. The following are the weighted categories for Language Arts classes:
Weighting Scale: Classwork 30% Homework 5% Test 20% Quiz 15% Project 30% *Grades will be posted to Infinite Campus weekly.
A = 90% – 100% B = 80% – 89% C = 70% – 79% D = 60% – 69% F =59% or below
Needed Materials: A pack of binder dividers Binder paper Pens/Pencils Colored pencils 1 Dry Erase Marker
Behavior and Consequences
Students are expected to arrive to class on time, be prepared with books and materials, and show respect.
Students are also expected to adhere to the school wide and classroom rules and expectations at all times, especially;
Students must follow directions quickly the first time they are given.
Electronic devices (cell phones, i-pods, video games, etc.) are not permitted unless they are being used for instructional purposes. If you are using your cell phone during class it will be confiscated and turned in to Dr. Harper for a parent to pick it up.
No cursing or teasing
No gum chewing, eating, or drinking (juices, colas, etc.).
Individual Consequences: If a student is acting inappropriately or being disruptive the following steps will be taken, per classroom, school, and district policy: 1. Verbal Correction—student reminded to be on task. 2. Refocus—student moves to the reflection chair to refocus his/her attention in my classroom. 3.Phone Call- Student’s parents or guardian will be called. 4. Parent/Teacher Meeting-a behavior and/or work contract may be initiated. 5. Administrative Referral- The admiration will be alerted to poor behavior and intervene.
At Home Reading and Writing Resources
Based on recent test scores from our school, and across the state, Harper Archer is working hard to provide our students with strategies to help improve reading comprehension. Here are some resources to help support you at home.
AdLit.org AdLit.org, or All About Adolescent Literacy, supports parents and teachers of students in grades 4–12. Take a look at this site if you have older children, because it offers information on college readiness and awareness. Another highlight is the “Ask the Experts” page, which allows you to submit questions about students and reading so a team of experts can help you find answers.
K12 Reader This site offers free reading instruction resources for teachers and parents. If you’re looking for practice materials for your child, you can find worksheets and detailed program supplements for reading, spelling, sight words, grammar, phonics, comprehension, writing, and more.
Oxford Owl This is a reading and math website that helps children ages 3 to 11. The “Expert Help” tab of the website’s Reading portion offers resources on helping struggling readers, encouraging reading, and working on issues including phonics, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Check out the ideas Oxford Owl suggests for games and activities.
Reading Rockets On Reading Rockets, visit the “Helping Struggling Readers” page if your child is having trouble learning to read. Click on “Start the Target the Problem!” activity to open a tool that defines a variety of reading difficulties, such as fluency and comprehension, and explains how kids, parents, and teachers can recognize signs of the difficulty. This tool also links to a “How to Help” page, which offers tips to both children and their parents regarding how they can work on the issue.
ReadWriteThink The International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English are a couple of the partners sponsoring ReadWriteThink, a website that offers resources for grades K–12. Under the “Parent & Afterschool Resources” tab, visit the podcast section to find book reviews for different age groups. You can also find links to the “Activities & Projects,” “Games & Tools,” “Tips & How-To’s,” and “Printouts” pages.