This class provides a balanced approach to English language development, using communication-based, content-based, and literature-based activities. Instruction focuses on oral activities to ensure comprehension of concepts and vocabulary. Students learn to understand conversation on a variety of everyday subjects and to ask for clarification when needed. Reading and writing activities are designed to help students develop literacy skills using language already practiced orally. The emphasis at this level is on listening comprehension and oral production in English; students are introduced to reading and writing through a variety of strategies appropriate for the beginning level and early intermediate level of proficiency. Strategies such as shared and modeled reading and writing frequently use the students’ own oral language to develop their literacy skills. Students will further learn and communicate about a range of topics and academic content areas through listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities that target high-level thinking with appropriate support. Through interactive instruction students are provided opportunities to express their own ideas as well as to question, interpret, and evaluate the ideas of others.
Course Objectives and Outcomes:
Throughout the year, students will work on developing the four language domains; listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills:
● Listening: Students will listen to English from native speakers via their teacher and other media. They will also listen to English spoken by their peers.
● Speaking: Students will have the daily opportunity to practice speaking in structured conversations with their peers. There will also be several projects, which require the students to present oral information to the class.
● Reading: Students will be reading a variety of texts, with guidance and support from their teacher and peers. Students will learn various strategies to help them analyze texts. They will also learn analytical skills necessary to interpret both literature and images.
● Writing: Students will write on a daily basis, practicing grammar structures and vocabulary.
Grade Categories:
25% Class participation, warm-up journal and reading program work
15% Quizzes
25% Portfolio: collection of work that demonstrates progress in communicative skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing)
15% Progress on end of unit summative assessments for EL Achieve program.
20% End-of-quarter culminating project in lieu of final exam
School Rules:
All students are expected to comply with school regulations to pursue the required course of study and to accept the reasonable authority of the Principal and the school staff. Board Policy 5131.
In addition to our classroom rules, these school rules are also followed in the classrooms and on campus:
No gum chewing
No cell phones or AirPods
Uphold academic honesty
No dress code violations
No tardies
No profanity or vulgarity
Stay in designated areas
Come to school fully prepared
Take care of school and others’ property
No littering
No fighting
No harassment (including sexual or racial)
No bullying
Consequences can include:
Warning
Better Choices Form Assignment
Parent email sent home
N or U in Work Habits or Citizenship
Teacher/Parent/Admin meeting
Referral to Office
Loss of Privileges
Detention
Restorative Practices
Behavior Contracts
Referrals to other resources
Saturday School
Contact police or appropriate agency
Suspension or Expulsion
Citizenship:
Students’ citizenship grades reflect how they conduct themselves in class. ***Keep in mind that citizenship grades can affect students' right to participate in extracurricular activties and events and may affect their ability to culminate.*** All students begin with a mark of “O” (“outstanding”) that may come down depending on the number of behavioral infractions they have. An infraction only counts as a mark on their citizenship grade after a verbal warning or redirection has already been given for the same offense. The number of infractions and their corresponding citizenship grades is as follows:
0-1 infractions: Outstanding (O)
2-3 infractions: Satisfactory (S)
4-6 infractions: Needs Improvement (N)
7 or more infractions: Unsatisfactory (U)
Technology and supplies:
Students will frequently make use of their Chromebooks in class. As a reminder, these Chromebooks are on loan to them, and any damage caused to them will incur an outstanding balance on their record. In addition, deliberate abuse or lack of respect for the Chromebook will also count as a behavior infraction and may lead to the consequences listed above.
Students are expected to bring their fully charged laptop, a notebook, and a writing tool (pen or pencil) to class each day. I cannot require students to purchase any supplies, so if you are unable to obtain these supplies, please let me know so that I can make arrangements to provide them. I am able to lend items as needed on a day-by-day basis if students have forgotten one of them, but students must leave their student ID with me and return the item to get it back.
In addition, ELD students will need to bring a book for independent reading. Students may check out books from the classroom, school library, or public library.
Confirmation of receipt:
Parents/guardians, please click this link to complete the confirmation of receipt form to indicate that you have read and understood the information in the syllabus.