Advanced Language Arts

Betty Lauder

Expectations/ Requirements

• Placed if gifted verbal- 97% or higher

• Placed on reading and writing scores from 5th grade- CASS, AIMS, teacher recommendation for testing

• Must maintain a B or better average to stay in class.

Advanced Language Arts

• Spelling/vocabulary practice- weekly Wednesday to Wednesday, quiz each week over the material

• Reading Skills- read it and understand it, read between the lines

• Writing Skills- sentence structure, paragraphing

• Students are expected to hand write drafts AND edit/revise their own work. Adult help will come after the student process.

• Assessment writing to be in cursive.

ALA• Consistent curriculum-Common Core Standards• Move at an accelerated pace• Vocabulary program- Classical Latin & Greek roots• Exposed to more novel studies- The Martian

Chronicles and Shakespeare (required reading)• Independent learning opportunities• Projects that require “out of the box” thinking

– Fewer direct guidelines – Working contracts– Quality and depth of work

Reading Skills

• Lexiles

-Difficulty of reading, not by grade level

-www.lexiles.com• Reading Process

– Vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, application• Informational Text

– Expository, functional, persuasive• Literary Text

– Genres, structure of stories, author techniques

Writing Skills• Writing Process

– Pre-write, draft, revise, edit, publish• Writing Elements

– Six Traits (word choice, conventions, fluency)• Writing Applications

– Expressive, Expository, Functional, Persuasive, Literary Response, Research

• AIMS component-Grammar, structure, editing, revising

Research Projects

• Research will be done at school, but you can always do more at home.

• Note cards, organizers, rubrics/checklists• Rough drafts, editing/revising, final copy• Final copy- hand written in blue or black ink OR

typed• Grading rubrics, directions, and handouts will be

on my website.

Typical Homework- YES, expect it.

• Read each night (30+ minutes)• Reading assignments to prepare for class• Spelling/vocabulary practice

-due each Wednesday• Grammar practice assigned early in the

week- due later in the week• Unfinished class work• Occasional time for research if doing a

project• Book reports

Reader’s Response

• Books must be grade level or above. Each book must be 200+ pages. (quarterly goal 1000+ pages)

• Response requirements and grading rubric are on my web site. High level responses with details to support answers. Defend their answer(s).

• Be sure to check that all directions have been followed. A portion of the grade reflects understanding and following the directions.

Grading

• Please use the Parent Portal to check grade and work completion status.

• Student receive grades for class work and homework. This includes “walk-ins”.

• Larger assignments such as projects, reader’s response, research, creative work will receive more points than daily work.

Other fun stuff

• Skits and plays (Shakespeare)

• Greek mythology

• Commercials/Advertising

• Poetry

• Spelling Bee

• Game directions

• Word games/Brainteasers

Thank you

• Class website www.kyrene.org/staff/blauder

• The best way to contact me is through email blauder@kyrene.org

• 480-541-5912• Thanks for coming!