Bridge+to+AP+Syllabus

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 __-__ =Course Syllabus=

**Bridge 6th Language Arts Mrs. Clary Swift Creek Middle School 2008 – 2009** A – Outstanding = 90 – 100 B – Above Average = 80 – 89 C – Average = 70 – 79 D – Below Average = 60 – 69 F – Failure = 0 – 59 **
 * Grading Scale:


 * ASSIGNMENTS**: are due on the assigned dates. Late work will not be given full credit.
 * NOTEBOOKS:** You will be required to keep a notebook throughout the year. Notebooks will be checked periodically and checked for neatness and content completion.
 * OUTSIDE READING** (Annotations): You will be required to read one novel per nine weeks outside of the classroom. The novel may be of your choosing (with approval by me). You will be expected to plan, carry out, and document your independent reading. This assignment will count as one test grade for each nine week grading period.
 * PROJECTS:** Assignments may often take the form of a project and may relate to grammar, literature, writing or a combination of all three. Project grades are typically given the same value as a test.
 * DAILY WORK/PARTICIPATION/COMMUNICATION**: Each student is given a participation grade equal to one test grade at the beginning of each grading period. Points are deducted based on daily participation in class activities and assignments including being prepared for class with all necessary materials and writing assignments in the planner.

**General Course Overview**


 * Writing** – You will practice expository and persuasive writing in preparation for Writes Upon Request. You will also practice writing for speaking purposes and you will be expected to participate in the Tropicana Speech Program.
 * Grammar**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive"> – You will learn to write clear, correct sentences and become familiar with the eight parts of speech. You will practice constructing sentence diagrams, and be tested on your grammar knowledge.
 * Literature**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive"> – You will explore novels, short stories, and possibly poetry. Novels and short stories that we will be reading this year are Peter Pan, Murder on the Orient Express, The Bear (William Faulkner) and To Build a Fire (Jack London). Another novel may be added at a later date. You will have a year-long reading assignment (annotations)
 * Technology**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive"> – some assignments may require the use of computers for the purpose of word processing and internet use. Time will be made available in school for this purpose but access to a home computer would be helpful (not required). The school computer lab is open to students for school related work (not game playing) before school two mornings each week and two afternoons each week.
 * Creative and Critical Thinking**<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive"> – you will learn a variety of strategies to help you become more skilled in planning, decision-making, evaluating, categorizing, and other types of critical thinking. You will also learn skills associated with creative thinking, and be able to apply both creative and critical thinking to problem solving solutions.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive">All assignments will be explained in detail as they are given. Each assignment will also be posted on my web page. Students and parents are welcome to ask questions regarding any assignment.

__-__ =Long Range Plans= <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive"> LONG RANGE PLANS Swift Creek Middle School2008 – 2009 ** <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center">
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center">Bridge 6th Language Arts

__Peter Pan__ by James M. Barrie Novel Study Use summer reading assignment to teach the interpretation of literature and annotation format. Setting Characterization Plot Theme Style
 * First Nine Weeks:**

Short Story - __To Build a Fire__ by Jack London Another selection as yet undetermined Elements of a short story

Continue with Short Story Persuasive writing – elements, technique, purposes for writing, audience, and persuasive language Tropicana Speech – development of topic, understanding audience, editing and revisions, presentation vs. performance
 * Second Nine Weeks:**

Grammar Language Mechanics Sentence diagramming Parts of speech
 * Third Nine Weeks:**

__Murder on the Orient Express__ by Agatha Christie Analysis of characters, setting, plot, theme, etc. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center">
 * Fourth Nine Weeks:**