Ms. Jasmine LaPalme
jlapalme@daltonschool.kr
Ms. Jasmine LaPalme
jlapalme@daltonschool.kr
Literature & Composition
2025-2026
Hello, and welcome Grade 6 students!
I'm Ms. LaPalme, and I'm excited to be your English teacher as we navigate a year of literary adventures and writing explorations. This year we will focus on drawing connections between what we read, our experiences, and how we express ourselves through writing and speech. Get ready to showcase your strengths and sharpen your skills!
Chromebook
Writing implements: blue/black and red pen + Pencil and eraser
Single subject spiral notebook (2) - used every day
Independent reading book (SSR)
Assigned novels
Shooting Kabul - N.H. Senzai
Book Club - Books will be chosen by students ahead of unit 5
Aug. 19 - Oct. 25
In our first unit as we come back to school, we will focus on kinds of writing and, more specifically, expositor writing. Writing does not necessarily need to be a solitary process - as we learn, we will be working individually, in pairs and in groups. By the end of this unit, you will have written a five paragraph essay with the purpose of clear and concise explanation.
Oct. 28 - Nov. 22
In this brief unit we will delve into news publications in order to see how both history and current events shape our world and experiences. Specifically, our focus will be the Taliban and its influence on the country of Afghanistan alongside the United States’ involvement in Afghan politics. Developing an understanding of these difficult topics will prepare us for our upcoming novel, Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai. By the end of this unit, students will have collaborated in groups to produce a slideshow demonstrating central ideas gleaned from unit-based readings.
Nov. 25 - Feb. 07
In this unit we will examine how characters in both nonfiction and fictional texts are influenced and motivated by their experiences and perspectives. Our unit text is Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai, which will be supplemented by NewsELA articles to help us gain a deeper understanding of the novel’s setting. This unit provides a timely and relevant opportunity for us to learn about and discuss the events that are taking place today, in 2022, as the Taliban regime has seized control of Afghanistan once again.
Feb. 10- Mar. 28
In this unit we will examine assorted short stories and poetry to identify how authors use figurative language devices in ways that connect with readers' prior experience and emotional associations. Students will also analyze tone and mood that bolsters themes and enhances texts.
Mar. 31 - May 30
In this unit we will compare the narratives of three young children who experienced different forms of displacement and oppression during World War II. The unit would explore themes of identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling to promote empathy and understanding. Within this unit, students will read, among other text, They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, and watch The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, as well as 1 more novel of similar theme. Our main text for the unit will be a novel students may select from a list of pre approved novels.
Jun.02 - Jun. 19
In this final unit, students will spend the last two weeks of the year reading The Last Kids on Earth (Book 1) and completing a journaling formative project along the way. To further enrich the learning experience, the unit incorporated a media comparison element, analyzing both the book and its Netflix adaptation. This activity is aligned with the spirit of critical thinking and analysis. By combining an engaging text with a stimulating media comparison activity, the unit fostered a love of reading and critical thinking skills, ultimately leading to impressive academic achievement.
The following broad learning categories represent the broad areas of knowledge and skills within which daily and unit-long learning targets and expectations in English can be organized.
Grading Policy
The CDS English Department uses standards based grading to provide more accurate feedback of student performance. The following performance levels are used to convey the level of skill a student has demonstrated in English (refer to image).