1 package black
pens
1 package of pencil top erasers
2 colored
pens1 five- subject notebook
1 package
#2 pencils
1 one-subject notebook
Description:
Students in
this class will read, discuss, and respond to a variety of
literature. They will also explore different writing modes. Each
class period will include sustained silent reading and writing.
During reading workshop, we will focus on seven literary
genres—Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Fantasy/ Science Fiction/
Mythology, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, and Poetry. Students
will read novels, short stories and poems in each genre. Students
will also learn critical reading strategies to apply to their
independent reading. In writing workshop, students will learn the
techniques for effective persuasive, expository, and creative
writing. They will produce at least one finished pieces in each
mode. These pieces will be housed in a permanent writing folder in
the classroom. Additionally, writing workshop will emphasize the
writing process. All finished pieces will go through each step of
the writing process: brainstorming, drafting, revision, editing,
and final copy. Spelling, vocabulary, and grammar will also be a
component of instruction.
Language Arts Goals (Atwell
1998)
Students will:
Find
books, authors, subjects, and themes that matter to you, to your
life, to who you are and who you want to become.
Frequently respond to what you read by using
various reading strategies.
Work
diligently in your cooperative learning group.
Take
care of the books I have provided for you. Return each book you
borrow to the classroom library, shelving it alphabetically by the
author’s last name.
Take
a deliberate stance toward reading and responding
with your whole heart and mind.
Find
topics and purposes for writing that matter to you, your life, to
who you are and want to become.
Make
your own decisions about what is working and needs more work in
pieces of your writing.
Listen to, ask questions about, and comment on
others’ writing in ways that help them move the writing
forward.
Attempt professional publication.
Recognize that readers’ eyes and minds
need writing to be conventional in format, spelling, punctuation,
and usage. Work toward conventionality and legibility, and use what
you know about format, spelling, punctuation, and usage as you
compose.
Keep
an individualized proofreading list that you check your writing
against when you edit and proofread.
Take
care of materials, resources and equipment I’ve
provided.
Take
a deliberate stance (Harwayne 1992) toward writing
well: try to make all of your writing literature.
