SYLLABUS

While homework is given only occasionally, this page can be used as a reference for current, past or upcoming assignments. I will NOT post daily homework assignments on this site, but I will post information about upcoming projects, units, and other opportunities.

**** Disclaimer: While I try to keep this list updated, I firmly believe that it is my students' responsibility to record homework in their planners. Our district provides a wonderful planner to each student at the start of the school year. Every day, I post the homework for the evening on the agenda on the Smartboard. The agendas for the week are posted on the "Make-Up Work" Board in the classroom. In short, all of these actions provide students plenty of opportunity to stay informed about homework. This web resource is intended to be another support, but the first mode of communicating homework/assignments is in the classroom during the lesson.

***** All assignments, units, activities, projects, etc. are created to

UNITS & PROJECTS: It is important with any large writing assignment to make sure that students keep up with the correct steps of the writing process on the dates suggested in each unit so as not to fall behind. Below is a list of major writing assignments and projects that are expected for this year.

Q1: Argumentative Essay; Books&Blogs Unit; Vocabulary Unit & Project #1-5; DGP Weeks #1-7; Fictional Novel Study with Non-Fiction Extension Reading.

Q2: Expository/Research Essay; Books&Blogs Unit; Vocabulary Unit & Project #6-10; Grammar/DGP Weeks #8-12; Fictional Novel Study with Non-Fiction Extension Reading.

Q3: Research Theme/Oral Project (group); Narrative; Books&Blogs Unit; Vocabulary Unit & Project Unit #11-15; Grammar/DGP Weeks #13-20; Fictional Novel Study with Non-Fiction Extension Reading.

Q4: Personal Narrative/Memoir; Books&Blogs Unit; Vocabulary Unit & Project #16-20; Grammar/DGP #21-26; Fictional Novel Study with Non-Fiction Extension Reading.

DAILY GRAMMAR PRACTICE (DGP): For our grammar study, we try to take a collaborative, differentiated, and fun approach! Each week, we will study one sentence in our differentiated DGP groups. We will discuss and manipulate the parts of speech in the sentence, the grammatical issues, the sentence structure, and diagram for the sentence. At the end of the week, students will submit their DGP Weekly Worksheet and take a short quiz over the notes, discussion, and application of learning from the week. Most importantly, students will be expected to show learning and application of grammar techniques during writing and reading projects.

NOVEL & LITERATURE STUDY: In Language Arts/Reading, we will study a variety of authors and genres of literature through class novels, literature circles, blog discussion, current events articles and short story reading. When we study a novel or text that requires out-of-class reading or skill work, students are expected to complete assignments ON-TIME in order to remain on track with participation and class discussion. In general, late work is NOT accepted when it comes to these assignments. Below are some of the texts we are likely study this year. ***** If a student has previously read a text, they are NOT necessarily exempt from participating. The quality and depth of discussion, assignments, and skill work will certainly provide a new perspective on the author, text, or issues with the text even to a repeat reader.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto

"Exploring the Titanic" by Robert Ballard

"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" by Rudyard Kipling

"After Twenty Years" by O. Henry

Woodsong by Gary Paulsen

"Dirk the Protector" by Gary Paulsen

Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper

Flipped by Wendalyn VanDrannen

"I Have A Dream" by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.