Syllabus

Bryson Middle School

Literacy Lab 6,7,8 Syllabus

2022-2023

Instructor: Amber Behymer

Room Number: C134

Phone Number: (864) 355-2138

Email: aebehymer@greenville.k12.sc.us

Website: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/missbehymersliteracylab

Google Classroom Join Codes:

Teacher’s Daily Schedule

1st Period 8:15 - 8:55 Planning

2nd Period 9:00 – 9:46 8th Grade Literacy Lab: System 44

3rd Period 9:51 – 10:37 8th Grade Literacy Lab: Read 180

4th Period 11:38 – 12:23 7th Grade Literacy Lab: System 44

5th Period 12:28 – 1:13 7th Grade Literacy Lab: Read 180

6th Period 1:33 - 2:24 6th Grade Literacy Lab: System 44

7th Period 2:29– 3:15 6th Grade Literacy Lab: Read 180

Course Description

Literacy Lab:

The System 44 class is a year-long class, which emphasizes building reading fluency and phonics skills through the System 44 program. Students participate in small group and software rotations daily with independent reading rotations added on Thursdays and Fridays. Students receive remediation based on performance in the software targeted toward individual areas of need.

The Read 180 program is a comprehensive, blended learning solution proven to accelerate the reading levels of students in Grade 4 – 12. It is a reading program designed for struggling readers who are reading 2 or more years below grade level. It provides blended learning instruction (i.e., combining digital media with traditional classroom instruction), student assessment, and teacher professional development. Read 180 is delivered in 45- to 90- minute sessions that include whole-group instruction, three small-group rotations, and whole-class wrap-up. Small-group rotations include individualized instruction using an adaptive computer application, small-group instruction with a teacher, and independent reading.

Instructional Materials:

Instructional Materials that are utilized in the class are some of the following: System 44 / Read 180 workbooks, Decodable Digests, independent reading texts on independent reading levels, reading logs, and the System 44 / Read 180 software accessed through student Chromebooks.

Student Responsibilities

1. Each student is responsible for bringing ALL necessary materials to class daily; this includes a charged Chromebook.

2. Active participation in all teacher-directed and independent activities is required.

3. Each student is expected to use the class time and the assistance available to ensure his/her academic success.

4. Each student is expected to behave in an appropriate manner and show consideration for each person in class.

Consequences:

Any behavior that interferes with the learning of self or others cannot be allowed and will be dealt with accordingly and consistently. Such behavior will receive the following consequences:

1. Conference with student

2. Parent contact

3. PAWS steps

4. Referral to administrator

Severe clause: Severe disruptions or violations will be referred immediately to an administrator.

Positive behavior is rewarded with notes home, phone calls, verbal praise, and periodic reinforcements.

Grading Scale: The grading scale utilized at Bryson Middle School will follow the school district scale as follows:

A 90 - 100

B 80 - 89

C 70-79

D 60-69

F Below 60

Literacy Lab Class Grading:

Minor Assessments: 50% - There will be a minimum of 9 minor grades per quarter. This includes reading logs, workbook pages, and classwork assignments.

Major Assessments: 50% - There will be a minimum of 3 major grades per quarter. These include independent reading quizzes, writing projects, and culminating unit projects.

Late Work Procedures:

Students are expected to follow classroom rules and complete assignments during the allotted class period. Any student off-task and not completing classroom assignments will receive a disciplinary infraction. However, if a student misplaces an assignment or needs to hand in any work after the assigned due date, then they will need to adhere to the following late work policy. ● Five (5) points will be deducted each school day the assignment is late.

● Students are encouraged to use time before school, after school and during flex time to complete assignments to avoid late work. If a student is absent on the date an assignment is assigned, the student will have 5 days without penalty to make up the assignment.

Communication with Parents:

Parents will be contacted throughout the year and are encouraged to call the school or send a note if a concern arises. The teacher will make contact in the following ways:

1. Progress reports sent home quarterly with report cards

3. Telephone calls/ emails

4. Conferences

5. IEP meetings as needed

Course Outlines:

Read 180

6th Grade

Getting Started Workshop - The first 3 weeks will be spent introducing the Read 180 program and instructional routines as well as preparing students for the Reading Inventory which will be taken between August 30th and September 10th

Workshop 1 - Stand Up!

The Workshop begins by introducing the Children’s Bill of Rights. Four texts that follow showcase young people who overcame traumatic childhood experiences and went on to stand up for the rights of children. Chris “Kesz” Valdez works to help homeless children, Malala Yousafzai fights for education rights for girls, and James Kofi Annan has devoted his life to abolishing child slavry. The Workshop concludes with a poem that explores the themes of freedom and equal rights for all people. As we work through Workshop 1 we will be reading Esperanza Rising as a class and discussing how the themes found in the book relate to our texts.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

As we work through Workshop 1 we will be reading Esperanza Rising as a class and discussing how the themes found in the book relate to our texts.

Esperanza thought she'd always live a privileged life on her family's ranch in Mexico. She'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home filled with servants, and Mama, Papa, and Abuelita to care for her. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard work, financial struggles brought on by the Great Depression, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When Mama gets sick and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances-because Mama's life, and her own, depend on it.

Workshop 2 - Water Fight

The Workshop opens with background information about the water cycle that lays the foundation for understanding a domain specific science text. A short folktale follows to help students understand the importance of rai. Then, an informational text paired with an interactive map shows the causes and effects of severe droughts. The next text uses a variety of formats to help students understand how much water is used with everyday tasks and products. Water crisis management is addressed in the three op-ed articles before the workshop concludes with an infographic showing an innovative Toilet to Tap program in which wastewater is recycled into clean drinking water.

7th Grade

Workshop 3 - Life in Dystopia The Workshop opens with an exploration of dystopian literature and its popularity among today’s teens. The workshop focuses on Shilrley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery.” Beneath the familiar landscape and friendly conversation of a tight-knit community, something’s not quite right. Then students read an excerpt from a lecture given by the story’s author who shares disturbing letters from readers who believed her dystopia existed. The final text, an excerpt from The Hunger Games, explores another lottery in a dystopian society, but with a very different outcome.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

As we work through Workshop 3 we will be reading Among the Hidden as a class and discussing how the themes found in the book relate to our texts.

In a future where the Population Police enforce the law limiting a family to only two children, Luke, an illegal third child, has lived all his twelve years in isolation and fear on his family's farm in this start to the Shadow Children series from Margaret Peterson Haddix.

Workshop 4 - The Hunt for Lincoln’s Killer

The Workshop begins by transporting students to Ford’s Theater on the day that Lincoln was shot. The concept of an assassin is introduced and the early texts set the stage by letting students know that Booth was an actor. They discover that this act was planned as Booth’s performance that he would be most remembered for. As the Workshop continues, students hear the perspective of a former slave and White House confidante, track the path of Booth’s escape and capture, mourn with America at Lincoln's funeral , and finish with a poem to remember it all by.

8th Grade

Workshop 5 - Contagion

The Workshop opens with background about an outbreak of SARS that previews the work of medical experts in later texts. The first text introduces the flu pandemic of 1918 - 1919. An article explores what causes illness and profiles major historical outbreaks. Then, a suspenseful narrative recounts a modern-day outbreak scare. Students then travel back in time with a historical fiction account of an outbreak of plague during the middle ages. An informational text gives tips for staying healthy from high-tech gear to everyday practices. Finally, a persuasive poster shows how images communicate powerful messages about health.

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

As we work through Workshop 5 we will be reading Fever 1793 as a class and discussing how the themes found in the book relate to our texts.

During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mattie spends her days avoiding chores and making plans to turn the family business into the finest Philadelphia has ever seen. But then the fever breaks out.

Disease sweeps the streets, destroying everything in its path and turning Mattie's world upside down. At her feverish mother's insistence, Mattie flees the city with her grandfather. But she soon discovers that the sickness is everywhere, and Mattie must learn quickly how to survive in a city turned frantic with disease.

Workshop 6 - No Ordinary Sport

In this workshop, students will explore extreme sports that have developed cult followings among young people. The first text provides readers with background information on what motivates extreme athletes. A nonfiction drama follows in which students are introduced to real-life free climbers who successfully reached the top of El Capitan using only their hands, feet, and bodies. The Workshop continues with a three-part news article centered on the benefits and risks of Tough Mudder, a hardcore obstacle course. Students end the Workshop by reading a final news article about parkour - a fast paced sport that blends acrobatics and gymnastics. Throughout the Workshop, students assess whether the risks of extreme sports outweigh the benefits.

SYSTEM 44

6th Grade

Getting Started Module

Testing for the Reading and Phonics Inventories will take place from August 30th to September 10th

RDI Lessons

Module 1 - School Matters

In these texts, students will explore how continuing their education can position them for future success.

Module 2 - Special Forces

What does it take to be the best of the best? These selections examine how members of the special forces prepare for their important missions.

Module 3 - Game On!

How do designers use science to create video games? And what can we learn from playing them?

Module 4 - Famous or Infamous?

How do television and the internet influence our culture?

7th & 8th Grade

Getting Started Module

Testing for the Reading and Phonics Inventories will take place from August 30th to September 10th

RDI Lessons

Module 5 - Fear Factor

In these texts, readers explore how fear affects us physically and emotionally.

Module 6 - Guilty Until Proven Innocent

How does the US justice system affect suspects and communities?

Module 7 - Losing Their Minds?

Science is showing that concussions, a common injury in contact sports, can have devastating effects.

Module 8 - Refugee Life: Starting Over

In these texts, readers examine the lives of refugees and the challenges they face.