Syllabus

English Language Arts Studies Course Overview:

Course Description:

This year in ELA, students will read and analyze literary texts and determine the author’s craft. Students will practice grammar and learn writing conventions. Students will read informational texts and learn to develop a thesis statement, arguments, and commentary. Students will write a personal narrative, argumentative essay, text dependent analysis, and short answer responses. Assessments, projects, and oral presentations will be used to determine major grades. Participation in class discussions, independent work, and group collaboration is essential for mastering the sixth grade standards.

Quarter One: Literary Study/Narrative Writing

• Read/analyze literary texts: prose, poetry, & drama

• Study author’s craft: characterization, setting, plot structure

• Study grammar and writing conventions

• Learn writing conventions: narrative writing

• Respond to text dependent questions

• Learn habits of research

MAJOR ASSESSMENTS: Narrative Writing, Stems Test, Elements of Fiction Test

Quarter Two: Informational Texts/Research/Informational Writing

• Implement effective reading strategies for informational texts

• Conduct research study and present findings through informational writing

• Study text structures and text features

• Practice practical research habits

• Learn the process of writing a text-dependent analysis

Quarter Three: Informational Texts/Research/Argument Writing

• Implement effective reading strategies for informational texts

• Participate in collaborative discussions and debates around common topics

• Conduct research study and present findings through argument essay

• Produce text dependent analysis essay

• Practice citing text evidence and offering commentary

• Compare and contrast formats of nonfiction information

Quarter Four: Literary and Poetry Study/Text Analysis

• Read/analyze literary texts: prose, poetry, or drama

• Examine and analyze author’s craft: characterization, setting, plot structure and development, figurative language, connections to historical context, themes

• Learn habits of inquiry

• Learn how to prepare for effective public speaking

The ELA Studies classes will read the novel, Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis.

The Newbery Honor-winning American classic, The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 , celebrates 20 years with this anniversary edition featuring a special letter from Christopher Paul Curtis and an introduction by noted educator Dr. Pauletta Bracy.

Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who's thirteen and an "official juvenile delinquent." When Momma and Dad decide it's time for a visit to Grandma, Dad comes home with the amazing Ultra-Glide, and the Watsons set out on a trip like no other. They're heading South to Birmingham, Alabama, toward one of the darkest moments in America's history.

Literary Unit Overview

Students read and analyze multiple literary texts representing at least two literary genres: prose, poetry or drama. While studying the literary texts, students examine and analyze each for various aspects of the author’s craft: characterization, setting, plot structure and development, use of figurative language, connections to historical context, and themes.

The ELA GT class will study the novel, The Giver by Lois Lowry.

The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. This movie tie-in edition features cover art from the movie and exclusive Q&A with members of the cast, including Taylor Swift, Brenton Thwaites and Cameron Monaghan.

Literary Unit - Chaos and Order

Fiction with modern settings can reveal different points of view about an issue or help us understand the problems we have today. Even problems set in the future reflect human nature and can relate to the problems we currently have as well as allow us to see how the choices we make today may impact the future.

In this thematic unit, students analyze anchor literary texts representing the genres of prose and drama within the theme of chaos and order. While studying the literary texts, students also examine each for various aspects of the author’s craft: characterization, setting, plot structure and development, use of figurative language, connections to historical context, and themes. Students also examine what the texts reveal about human nature and our conflicts.