v      Literature (Mystery, Poetry, Drama, Memoirs, Myths, Legends)

v      Writing – Letter writing, descriptive writing,  autobiography/biography, persuasive essay, research report, compare/contrast essay just to name a few.

v      Grammar & punctuation 

 ELA class will include many unique educational experiences that focus on a core curriculum of communication skills.  These activities are designed to further develop your child’s skills in the areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking.  Individual responsibility will be stressed as your child becomes an independent learner.

The Writing Process

The following is the writing process being taught and reinforced throughout the year:

Prewriting - Choosing a subject, planning, research

Rough Draft/Writing - Free writing, writing for an audience, writing with a purpose Responding/Peer Editing - Learning from comments by others on work in progress Revising - Rethinking, reorganizing, making additions, deletions, substitutions Editing - Correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure,  paragraphing 

Final Draft/Evaluating - Judging the quality of the final draft 

Textbooks

Students will use the district-wide middle school books for literature and for grammar.

Reading

Reading is a daily homework assignment.  It is recommended that students read a minimum of twenty minutes every evening to prepare for future literature circle discussions and responses to writing prompts.  Students will also read daily during SSR (Sustained Silent Reading) period in school.   

Test Taking Skills Review

Test taking skills will be reviewed as needed throughout the school year.

Royal Oak Middle School Planner

Every student has been provided with a planner and is expected to use this planner daily and review it with you.  Therefore, all class assignments and projects are expected to be turned in on the day they are due.  (Additional time will be allowed, on an individual basis, in case of an absence.)

Absences

It is the student’s responsibility to make-up assignments missed due to absence.  Daily assignments are listed on the calendar posted in the classroom. I am available to help students every morning at 7:00 and most days after school.