Language Arts 6 - ESL

• MS 1001 Language Arts 6 - ESL

Language Arts 6 - ESL is designed for speakers of English as a second language whose English proficiency is at the intermediate level. Students entering this course must have passed the fifth grade here at ACS Athens, or have an intermediate to advanced score on the English language placement test. This class is not designed for students who have been exposed to English as a foreign language only or whose level of English proficiency requires more intensive “language only” study.

Students will read a variety of short stories, essays, plays, novels, and poems throughout the year, and will be expected to respond to these through the lens of a writer and critic. Students will gain experience in both creative and non-fiction writing, and will participate in the full experience of the Writing Process: brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading final drafts. Grammar will be addressed through the Writing Process. Vocabulary enhancement will focus on using vocabulary in context and on understanding root words, prefixes, and suffixes. Independent reading throughout the school year is a major component of the course. The independent reading material selected for Language Arts 6 ESL will more closely match an ESL level.

Through their study of the selected novels, students will become active readers who analyze texts and identify literary elements. Additionally, students will have access to supplemental and online resources for reinforcement and assessment purposes. Key writing assignments will be the literary essay, the personal narrative essay, and the research essay. The class will also embark on a cross-curricular project with the Social Studies Department.

Texts for the course include: Tangerine, Warriors Don’t Cry, Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Walk Two Moons, Holes, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, The Devil’s Arithmetic, Golden Goblet, and Tuck Everlasting.