Welcome to Haverford Middle School! This year in Language Arts, we will continue to focus on the development of reading, writing and speaking skills. Reading In addition to an anthology of short stories (Triumphs- Houghton Mifflin), we will be reading several novels as a class, including:Jaguar by Roland Smith
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis Students will also be required to read and report on three to four additional novels throughout the course of the year, approximately one per quarter. Please encourage your child to read for at least 20 minutes per day, even if there is no assigned reading homework. Writing A variety of writing projects will be completed this year, including personal narratives, short stories, persuasive essays, journal entries, responses to reading, and informative essays. In addition, students will write a research paper in the spring. Throughout the course of the year, grammar and editing practice will take place weekly, with the aim of improving student writing. Skills tests aligned with the Houghton Mifflin series will be given periodically. Each student has a writing folder which will be kept at school so both students and I can monitor progress over the year. Speaking Students will be required to present information both formally and informally at various times during the year. Students are encouraged to share their opinions of reading and writing on a daily basis, through class discussions and literature circles. General InformationHomework: Students are expected to come to Language Arts class prepared each day with all the proper materials and all work complete. Homework, with the exception of graded assignments, is marked as complete (5 points) or incomplete (0 points). Supplies In addition to an assignment book and pencil case, students should have a binder with looseleaf and dividers. Grading:
80% of a student's grade is comprised of: Tests Quizzes Long Term Projects (such as book reports) Formal writing pieces
20% of a student's grade is comprised of: Homework
Journal entries Tests are announced at least a week prior. “Reading checks” (short quizzes) can be expected the day after a reading assignment and will cover basic material to ensure that the reading was completed. Projects will also be announced well in advance, with direction sheets and grading guidelines. Most writing will be done in school. In addition, there will be a midterm and a final exam. |
