ELA

Reading by Trimester:

Each trimester, we will focus on specific reading and writing skills by utilizing the workshop model. The students will work on literacy in homeroom. The literacy skills the students learn will build upon one another to allow students to comprehend more complex fiction and nonfiction texts. Using the workshop model, students get direct instruction, participate in partner work/group work, have individual reading and writing time, and conference with the teacher to get personalized instruction.

Trimester 1:

Reading Fiction: Deep Study of Character

Students will:

• • Find text evidence to justify an answer

  • Determine the main ideas and themes

  • Understand story structure

  • Analyze point of view and character/setting development

  • Analyze the author's use of description, word choice, and figurative language

Trimester 2: Tapping the Power of Nonfiction

Reading Nonfiction:

Students will:

• • Find text evidence to support research and explanations

  • Determine important facts, details, and definitions about a nonfiction topic

  • Understand text features and how they can help comprehend nonfiction text

  • Analyze the quality of the sources and examples of evidence an author utilizes

  • Determine appropriate online sources for research

Trimester 3: Reading Arguments/Social Issues Book Clubs

Reading Nonfiction and Fiction: Arguments/Reading Fiction: Social Issues Book Clubs

Students will:

• • Analyze an author's argument by evaluating their use of claims and evidence

  • Analyze the quality of evidence an author uses to support a claim

  • Use historical facts, details, and background knowledge to comprehend fictional texts about social issues

  • Use text evidence to support claims about an author's point of view about a particular social issue

Writing by Trimester:

Each trimester, we will focus on a specific form of writing also by using the workshop model. We will study different forms of narrative writing, expository writing, poetry, and writing persuasive essays. Students will also create research projects where they use different sources to investigate a topic. Students will regularly collaborate with their peers for feedback and revision. Teacher conferencing with students will occur every week.

Trimester 1:

Writing Narratives

Students will:

• • Utilize the writing process to produce a longer narrative

  • Pre-write to prepare for writing a complex narrative

  • Add description and details to create vivid settings and characters

  • Revise and edit with their peers and through teacher conferences

  • Produce a multipage narrative about a fictional experience

Trimester 2:

Research Based Information Writing (5-paragraph Essays, Articles, and Websites)

• • Utilize the writing process to produce a five-paragraph essay

  • During prewriting, research and take notes on important facts, definitions, and details

  • Use outlines and graphic organizers to produce 5-paragraph essays and articles

  • Practice writing a thesis statement and introduction and conclusion paragraphs

  • Revise and edit with their peers and through teacher conferences

Trimester 3:

Write a literary essay using evidence from a text /Choice Writing

Students will:

• • Write a literary essay using evidence from a text

  • Develop claims and find supporting text evidence

  • Write an argumentative thesis and pick three important supporting details

  • Organize their thoughts into a 5-paragraph argumentative essay using text evidence to support their ideas

  • Revise and edit with their peers and through teacher conferences

Speaking and Listening by Trimester

Trimesters 1-3

• Students will regularly collaborate in partnerships and small groups

• Students will participate in academic discussions in a variety of contexts

• Students will present their ideas orally to the class using different forms of media