Welcome to Mrs. Young's Reading Class Website!
The focus this year will be to develop an understanding of reading and to hone skills in critical thinking about material read. Assessment will be primarily through written assessment. Only a student's best work should be submitted. A student will get out of this course what he or she puts into it. It should be a great year with successful learning experiences for all!
Units
There will be four units of study:
1. Reading to experience literature (novels, short stories, poetry)
2. Reading to inform (content course material and expository text)
3. Reading to inform and integrate (research-based essays)
4. Reading to Perform a task (following directions)
Materials
a 3-ring binder just for reading which serves as your text book/portfolio
loose-leaf paper; reinforcers
blue or black pens, erasable pens, or #2 pencils
binder dividers (at least 10)
index cards (4x6)
Post-its (1x1 or smaller)
Notebooks may be periodically checked and graded.
Classroom Conduct and Responsibilities
Come to class on time with all needed materials
Follow the three Rs (Respect, Responsibility, Readiness)
Use the Agenda Book
Keep a record of grades; share with your parents
Be prepared to leave when the teacher dismisses the class
Absences and Missed Work
It is the STUDENT"S RESPONSIBILITY to make up missed work. Assignments are due the day a child returns to class if present when assigned. Otherwise, a date will be assigned for submission. Missed tests must be arranged with the teacher and made up by an agreed-upon date.
Grading
Grades will be based on tests (70%); classwork (20%); and homework (10%). Quarterly grade charts will be given to each student to be maintained by the student, and checked by parents and teacher.
Homework
This is a significant part of the grade. Late assignments will be accepted for partial credit until the next scheduled test but must be signed by a parent or guardian; they will not be accepted after the test. Exceptions will be made for illness or family emergency. In general, homework can be used on tests. Given that many assignments require reading several chapters and completing a worksheet, most assignments are given on the first day of the school week and are due the following Thursday or Friday. Any change will be noted.
Redos
Work that is not done correctly or tests with low grades often may be redone. Redone work should be submitted the day after a low grade has been received.
Word Processors
Some assignments are to be hand written in legible penmanship with the designated pens or pencils. Essays and some other assignments must be done on word processor. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation always count!
PARENTS: Please check your student's grade chart located in the policies section of the binder; every returned graded assignment should be recorded there.
CORE+: Students will participate in enrichment reading lessons during CORE. Students who are in band can pick up and materials used during this class to do at home. The materials will be posted in the back of the classroom.
Special note: Due to the length of the assignments for challenge readers in the second half of the year, there generally will not be any redos.
Homework, 3/26: Periods 8 and 9- get parent signature on The Killer Angels final project.
Homework, 3/26: Periods 8 and 9- Read pages xiii-145 of The Killer Angels. As you read, identify the following:
Name of key individual
Affiliation: (No., So.; unit)
Rank; commanding officer
Brief description of individual
This may be done in chart form or a list; it may be typed. Please use 14 font. There should be 12-15 individuals listed. Due dat: April 16, Thuursday. Note: No late assignments accepted except for illness. Approximate time for completion- 20 minutes a day.
Homework, 3/30: Periods 1, 2, and 3- Read the remaining chapters of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Complete the worksheet. Due 4/15; may be submitted early. No late assignments accepted. Approximate time for completion based on 4 days- 20 minutes a day.
Homework, 4/15: Periods 8 and 9- Read Day 2 of The Killer Angels. Briefly describe Longstreet's march into position to attack the Round Tops. Briefly describe Chamberlain's repulse of the Confederate attack. Question must be included when submitted; must be typed, 14 font, Time or Times Roman, double spaced. Due 4/29. Approximate time- 20 minutes/night. No late assignments accepted.
Homework, 4/17: Periods 1, 2, and 6- Create an illustration for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Your purpose is to grab the reader's attention. You must
1. be accurate
2. provide detail
3. depict an event that occurred
4. write or use a quote for a caption
5. provide title, author and illustrator
6. staple your directions to your illustration.
You may use computer graphics; use standard size paper; do not simply draw stick figures on lined paper!
Due Wednesday, 4/22.
Homework, 4/24: Periods 1, 2, and - Read chapters 1-5 of A Day No Pigs Would Die. Compare your life to Rob's. Choose one similarity or one difference and explain why it is significant to you. Create your own graphic organizer (not a Venn diagram). Question must be included. Due Friday, May 1; no late assignments accepted; 20 points. Approximate time to complete: 20 minutes per day.
Homework,4/28: Periods 8 and 9- Read Day 3 and The Afterword of The Killer Angels. On page 349, Shaara quotes Lee as saying, "... but I do not know what better course I could have pursued.) to what is Lee referring? Explain if you agree or disagree with Lee's statement. refer to the text to support your answer. Question must be included; assignment must be typed. No late assignments accepted! Due 5/12. Approximate time to complete: 20 minutes a day.
Notecards, outlines and bibliographies due 5/14 for The Killer Angels, periods 8 and 9.
Homework, 5/4: Periods 1, 2, and 6- Read chapters 6-10 of A Day No Pigs Would Die. Answer the questions.
1. In chapter 6, Rob misunderstands some words and concepts with comic results. List at least 3 of them and explain what his misunderstandings tell you about Rob.
2. Describe Rob's trip to the Rutland Fair. Explain the significance of winning the prize for the best behaved pig.
Approximate time: 20 minutes a night; no late assignments accepted. Due Friday, 5/8.
WARNING: Test on chapters 1-5 Thursday; review Wednesday.
Homework, 5/11: Periods 1, 2, and 6- Read chapter 11 to the end of A Day No Pigs Would Die. Answer the questions.
1. Describe how to smoke an orchard. Explain why it is necessary. Include what mistake Rob made the previous year.
2. Paraphrase Rob's eulogy to his father. Explain how it reflects Shaker life.
Question must be included. Approximate time to finish: 15 minutes a night. Due 5/19; no late assignments accepted.
NOTE: Students should start bibliographies for the final project for A Day No Pigs Would Die. Due the week of May 26.
Progress reports: For periods 8 and 9, there are only two homework grades recorded. This is due to the lenght of time it has taken for students to complete the in-class research and out-of-class production of outlines and bibliographies. Grades will change after evaluation of these items.
Schedule for period 1, 2, and 6 for A day No Pigs Would Die
5/21: Review chapters 6-11 for test
5/22: Test, chapters 6-11
5/26: Review chaptrs 11-15 for test
5/27: Test, chapters 11-15
5/28: Submit essay; late essays will lose points. Homework for this time period should be typing the 5-paragraph essay and bibliographies. Time for completion- 20 minutes a day.
Homework, periods 8 and 9: Write essay for The Killer Angels; due 5/27. Students involved with Outdoor Ed or who have been absent the week of 5/18 may ask for an extension. Time for completion- 20 minutes a day.
Thank you for your help and understanding.
Carolyn Young, Ed.D.
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