Welcome to 7C Language Arts

Mrs. Michelle ArminioMr. Jack Griffith (periods 2 and 3)

Goals of the Language Arts Program

To develop critical readers, writers, and thinkers.

Exposure to a variety of genres.

Classroom instruction emphasizes literature discussion, meaningful written response to literature, vocabulary development, and application of reading strategies.

Participation in supported independent reading in order to foster a love of reading, encourage life-long learning, and build reading stamina.

Reading WorkshopCollege, on average, requires between 200-600 pages of reading a week (Kittle 20).

Reading workshop is a supportive community environment in which students will be reading books of their choosing and applying strategies to make them a stronger reader.

How is reading workshop structured?

Reading workshop will occur three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) and have the following structure:

Minilesson

Independent Reading Time and Minilesson application. This will also include individual and small group conferences.

Share Mini-lesson Takeaways

Reading Workshop Cont.What will students do during reading workshop?

During the independent reading time of the workshop, they may:

Read! Students MUST be prepared with their IR book.

Apply the mini-lesson strategy

Conference with the teacher

Select a new book (within a reasonable timeframe)

Complete a reflection

Write about their reading

Independent Reading: Genres

September/ October: Free choice

October/November: Science Fiction/Fantasy

November/December: Realistic Fiction

January/February: Historical Fiction

February/March/April: Adventure

April/May: International (book set in a location other than the U.S.A.)

May/June: Free choice

Book recommendations for each genre are available on my website.

Genres subject to change.

Independent Reading:Weekly Reading Log

Goals: 1) To monitor progress in independent book

2) Class preparation – coming to class each day with book;

maintaining log

3) Class participation – reading/ conferencing/applying

minilessons

Every 4 weeks the log will be collected and graded (participation grade)

Independent Reading:Assessments

While reading: Students will utilize a note-taking/active reading strategy.

This strategy is meant to help them with the final assessment.

Final assessments include essays, glogs, March Madness Tournament, Paper Bag Report, etc.

Class Novels

Ethics/Perspective– The Giver by Lois Lowry *

Identity – The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton *

Change – Peak by Roland Smith *

Awareness – Selections from The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros *

Power – Alive in the Killing Fields by Nawuth Keat

* = audio book available

Class Novel ApproachTuesdays and Thursdays are class novel days

during which we will be having discussions and completing activities related to the class novel.

A reading calendar will be provided for each novel. Time management is the key!

An additional small assignment may be assigned along with the reading.

Assessments will vary (unit tests, open-ended responses, reader’s notebook entries, etc.).

Writing ExpectationsMaintain a reader’s notebook.

Write reactions/thoughts to independent reading and class novels. These will take the form of both short, open-ended responses and analytical essays.

Including specific textual evidence and direct quotes is stressed in these responses.

VocabularyGoal: To generalize understanding of the words

and have students use them in their writing and speaking.

Words derived from the literature.

Focus on context clues and the use of word study (prefix, root, suffix) to determine meaning.

A word wall is utilized in the classroom.

SpeakingPresentations

Class discussions

Cooperative group work

GradingHomework: 20%

Reading responses: 35%

Tests/Quizzes: 30%

Preparedness/Participation: 15%

How your child can make progress

Come to class prepared.

Complete homework consistently.

Be an active reader.

Seek extra help when needed.

Prepare for assessments/projects.

How you can helpCheck agenda book/website/PowerSchool.

Ask for items that need to be signed.

Ask questions.

Encourage independence.

Monitor organization.

If your child is absent for two or more days, please request work through the guidance office.

Contact InformationMichelle Arminio

Email: marminio@spfk12.org Website: http://arminio.wikispaces.com/ Phone: 322-4445 Conference availability: Days 1, 2, and 6 from 1:20-1:50. Extra help available: Before school-any day starting at

7:40 a.m. After school – Some Mondays, some Wednesdays, Thursday, and Friday until 3:10 p.m.

Jack Griffith (periods 2 and 3) Email: jgriffith@spfk12.org Phone: 322-4445