Valor Christian Academy –Language Arts

Mrs. Gwendelyn Silva

(silvalanguagearts.pbworks.com)

Greetings, parents and students! Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year. As a language arts teacher, I am committed to preparing your child for the demands of higher education and the workplace. Though we will develop all four areas of language arts: reading, writing, speaking, and listening, there will be a special emphasis on critical thinking and writing, as that is what really sets students apart—the ability to think and express ideas clearly.

Course Overview

Students will be challenged to master the standards by exploring literature that gives ample opportunity for them to analyze, critique, and express themselves in a variety of ways, including informal debate, presentations, and formal essays. In addition, students will be introduced to argument and persuasion. The goal is for students to interact thoughtfully and intelligently with the world around them—whether it be comparing two literary works or drawing connections between literature, real-world situations, and nonfiction publications. Vocabulary and grammar will also be key as we work toward being prepared for high school.

Course of Study

  • Reading Strategies
  • Informational Writing
  • Short Stories
  • Research Paper
  • Persuasion
  • Poetry
  • Core Novels

Materials

Each day students should come to class equipped with

  • a composition book
  • college-ruled paper
  • a highlighter and pen with blue or black ink
  • the text/textbook we are reading
  • a manila folder for student writing (left in class)
  • a three-ring binder with dividers (5 sections)

Grading Breakdown

The grade will be based on points earned in these categories:

  1. Writing (formal essays, drafts, quickwrites, etc.)40%
  2. Assessments (vocabulary tests, projects, grammar quizzes, presentations)30%
  3. Practice (classwork, homework, participation)30%

Outside Reading

The outside reading book is a novel of the student’s choosing that is read outside of class and brought to school daily. Students will read their books when they finish work early and at home. They will keep a weekly log, which will signed by a parent or guardian. Having their books daily will count as participation, which will be incorporated into their grades. A reading list will be available if you would like recommendations for outside reading books.

Expectations

  • All out-of-class formal writing will be word-processed.
  • Late homeworkwill be marked down one grade for every day that it is late, up to five days.
  • Late essays or papers will be marked down 10 % for each day late, up to five days.
  • Give proper credit when using another person’s ideas.
  • The highest respect will be shown in and out of the classroom for all aspects of your education.

Contacting Me

The best way to contact me is through the school email at or by phone at school (310.798.5181). You can also call my Google phone number at 424.757.4242. This is another number I use to communicate with parents through phone calls and text messages.

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