2025-26 ESOL Syllabus
Teacher: Terri Zavodnik
E-Mail: tzavodnik@greenville.k12.sc.us
Phone: (864) 355-7921
Required material: Chromebook
Role of the ESOL Teacher:
Provide language instruction in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Support content area teachers
Assess students’ abilities in different competency areas (speaking, listening, reading, and writing)
Suggest strategies and interventions through collaborative consultation with content area teachers
Course Description:
This course is for students who need supplementary aid with English. The course is designed to help them develop and enrich their English language skills in order to be successful in other content area classes. The four language skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening will be addressed throughout the course to improve proficiency in English.
Course Objectives:
Course objectives are based on WIDA standards as well as national English language proficiency standards for grades 6-8. They encompass all four language domains: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Course Requirements:
Attendance policy - (See Student Handbook regarding attendance policies.)
Tardy Policy - Students are expected to arrive to class on time. (See Student Handbook regarding tardy policy.)
Course Outline/Pacing
ESOL 1- National Geographic Lift, Welcome and Phonics
Semester 1: Units 1-6
Semester 2: Units 7-12
ESOL 2 - National Geographic Lift, Intro
Semester 1: Units 1-4
Semester 2: Units 5-8
ESOL 3 - National Geographic Inside Lift, Fundamentals
Semester 1: Units 1-4
Semester 2: Units 5-8
Classroom Expectations:
Students are expected to:
Be in the classroom when the bell rings.
Be responsible for bringing all necessary materials to class.
Be polite, courteous, and mannerly.
Treat classmates and teachers with respect.
Ask questions when materials or instructions are unclear.
Make appropriate use of time.
Do their best every day to take advantage of their learning experience.
Discipline Policy:
If problems arise, the teacher may choose from the following:
Verbal warning
Change in seating
Student/Teacher conference
Parent contact
Parent/Teacher/Student conference
Lunch Detention
After School Detention
Administrative referral
Late Work:
Late work with no point deduction is accepted up to 7 days after the original due date or the end of the grading period, whichever comes first. Work received after 7 days will earn a maximum of 60 points. Work can be accepted late across grading periods by special exception and approval of the teacher and/or administrator. Due dates may be further extended if there are extenuating circumstances.
Redo/Retakes:
In pursuit of giving students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery in accordance with a growth mindset, Riverside Middle School has set forth the following redo/retake policy:
Students or their guardians may request one opportunity to redo each major grade. Students/parents must submit their request for a redo/retake within one school week of the graded assessment being returned.
Before an assessment is redone/retaken, students must complete a re-learning opportunity as determined by the teacher and agreed upon through a documented discussion between the teacher, student, and/or guardian.
The retake score will replace the original score whether or not it is higher than the original score.
Students may not request a redo/retake on work handed in late.
Re-learning opportunities may include independent learning tasks, review activities, before or after school tutoring with a teacher, Flex time remediation, or other activities deemed appropriate by the teacher.
Minor assessments may be redone/retaken at the discretion of the teacher, in order to support learning.
Overall Grading Scale:
A 90 - 100
B 80 - 89
C 70 - 79
D 60 - 69
F Below 60