Language Arts and Social Studies
Reading:
Students should be encouraged to read five of seven nights for at least 20
minutes. Reading guides often accompany the assigned genre books. The
packets are 4-6 pages and are completed over a three week period. There are
due dates along the way, so it should not seem overwhelming.
First quarter: Personal books (No reading guides)
Second Quarter: Nonfiction
Third/Fourth Quarter: Historical, Western World Lit. & Biography
May: Holes by Louis Sachar
Weekly Reading Blog:
This is a second semester assignment (January). Students respond to
questions about their reading on my blog. Prompts are posted weekly.
Students will not only respond to the prompt of the week but also respond at
least once to their classmates. Students can access the blog from my
website.
Western World Online Textbook:
During second semester, students are assigned more social studies content
reading from the sixth grade textbook, Western World. There is an online
version. If computer access is an issue, students may check the testbook out
from the media center.
Writing Assignments (RAFTS):
They are usually assigned bi-weekly. The assignment is explained and started
plan / rough draft)in class. The revision/edit step if often completed in
class but final drafts are word-processed at home.
Finals include: Heading (name, date, group), Title, 12 font size, and five
font choices (Cambria, Calibri, Times New Roman, Comic Sans MS, Garamond).
All steps of the writing process shall be included with the final paper. A
final reflection will be written in class the day the final is due.
Writing assignments are always set up in a RAFTS format.
R=Role A=Audience F=Format T=Topic S=Strong Verb
Social Studies:
Homework in social studies (geography, history, economics and civics) is
project-based. When assigned, students have 4-5 days on the task.
Assignments start in class.