English Class:

We will work on writing skills the entire year. You will use many different writing styles:

• Expository
• Narratives
• Persuasive
• Creative/Imaginative-poetry, fiction, superhero short stories, newspaper articles, reviews, etc.

*It is very important that you turn in writing pieces in on time, because they count for the most points. It they are not passed in on the due date, a letter grade will be deducted from the grade you receive for every day that the piece is late.

• Textbook: The textbook focuses on grammar, usage, mechanics, punctuation, and capitalization. We will cover each lesson in class, and you will be assigned homework on each lesson. Each lesson will be assessed at the conclusion of the chapter. These assessments will be in the form of quizzes, tests, and creative projects.

• Spelling: You will be assigned a lesson every other week. The lessons will be split up over the course of the week with a quiz at the completion of the unit.

Reading Class:

• Short Stories: Reading and interpreting the following: plot, setting, characters, background information, inciting moment, rising action, crisis, climax, falling action, dénouement, conclusion, conflict, protagonist, antagonist --> with a focus on the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe

• Book : Peak by Roland Smith

• Literature Circles: studying novels through book talks and taking on discussion roles

• Poetry: rhyme, rhythm, simile, metaphor, alliteration, hyperbole, structure, mood, language, interpretation and analysis of poems. We will be reading many poems, taking part in a poetry slam, as well as, writing our own poetry. We will study the works of Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, Shel Silverstein, Sandra Cisneros, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Edgar Allan Poe, and more

• Non-Fiction: factual literature, magazines, newspaper articles, etc.

• Projects: soundtracks to a short story, taking part in a mock trial, creating a newspaper in the classroom, board game projects, maps, models, movie posters, re-write endings, re-write point of view, and much more.

• Individual Reading: You are required to read independently throughout the year, and to write responses related to your reading. The responses will be written in your journal. You are also required to read at least 60 minutes a week. This amount will increase throughout the year to around 300 minutes. You must receive a parent/guardian signature verifying this amount. You will be receiving reading logs where you will keep track of your minutes