Core Information

Study skills

We will be working on time management and organization, note taking from a lecture, note taking from a text, active reading, map skills, computer skills, test preparation skills and writing skills.

Assignment books, notebooks and notes will be evaluated for completeness and organization several times a year.

Texts and Materials for Core

Writers Inc.

Atlas

Social Studies Photocopy

Short Story and Poetry Photocopy

Novels

Notebooks

Assignment book

Binder with sections for social studies, literature, current events, geography, writing, research, vocabulary and homework

Folders

Pens, Markers and/or colored pencils

Books that are handed out are yours to keep. You are expected to take book notes, highlight readings, and make marginal notes and underline. If you lose a book, you will need to purchase a new one.

Each student will have a writing folder. All of your writing, including drafts will be kept in this folder. The folders will remain in the classroom so there contents are available for writing conferences, revision and editing.

Computers, Book Reports and Book Log

Once a cycle, we will spend a double period in the computer room doing writing, research or improving computer skills.

Vocabulary and Grammar

All vocabulary will come from our readings, both literature and social studies, as well as class discussions and lectures. I recommend a place in your binder or notebook for your vocabulary.

Book reports will be expected throughout the course of the year. Specific instructions will be given for each book report. You will have a month to complete the book for the book report. Each student is expected to keep a book log. Instructions will be given for the book log.

Current Events and Geography

Current events assignments will increase knowledge and understanding of the world we live in. Once a cycle, you will complete a written current events assignment. In addition, you are expected to read, watch or listen to the news every single day for at least ten minutes. There will be news quizzes. Please keep your atlas in your locker. We will use it in conjunction with currents events as well as history lessons.

Preparation for class and homework

Each student is expected to be prepared for class. This means bringing to class all items required. If you are unprepared it will be noted and count against your grade if it continues. An Akibagram will be sent home as needed.

Homework is due the first class meeting of the day. Place all homework in homework file in the classroom. Homework must be completed on 81/2 by 11 standard paper, not paper torn out of a spiral notebook. You must use blue or black ink, have the proper heading and staple pages before handing in an assignment. If you word process, you must double space. Have a place in your binder or a separate folder for all returned work as well as work that is to be turned in. Homework is graded- check plus, check, check minus.

Journal Writing Assignments

Journals are a wonderful way to do some thinking on paper. They also serve as a way to do pre writing or to respond to something you have read or seen or heard. We will use journal writing for

              Reading response

              Responses to films, assemblies or presentations

              Personal Writing

              Creative Writing

Here are some things to remember about journal writing:

Always date your journal entry and give it a title of some kind, which will give the reader an idea of the topic.

Always write in your own voice in your journal. This is personal writing, not work that is necessarily grammatically correct or well constructed. The important idea is to get your ideas, reactions and opinions down on paper in the words that come to mind and express your thoughts. Journal entries will be evaluated for effort; most journal entries should be a page in length.

The first three journal entries are as follows: Due dates will be stated in class.

Journal assignment #1

What do you think your audience should know about you as a writer? As a student?  As a person?  If you want you can address yourself to your journal as you would a diary or pen pal.

Journal entry #2

What are your goals for this year in school? In life? What would you like to do differently in this coming year? What would you do the same? How do you plan on achieving your goals in this coming year?

Journal assignment #3

Select any character from either of the summer readings. Write him or her a letter in which you offer advice, ask a question or comment or something that the character did or should have done in the book. Then write an answer to your letter, pretending that you are the character to whom you wrote. Try to make the voice of the character as authentic as possible.

Core Syllabus

Unit 1: Native Americans and Immigrant Americans:

Those Who Were Here and Those Who Came By Choice

How are the terms race, ethnic group, religion and nationality related?

What was life like for Native Americans before the arrival of the Europeans explorers and immigrants?

What are the unique characteristics of the Native Americans’ cultures and how are these cultures related to their environment?

How and why did the cultures of the Native Americans change once Europeans gained control?

Why and how did different ethnic groups immigrate to the USA?

How were immigrants treated in the USA? How were Native Americans treated? Has the treatment of these groups changed over time?

How were the experiences of Jewish immigrants similar to/ different from other ethnic groups?

In what ways and with what methods did immigrants and Native Americans assimilate and/or acculturate? Are these changes positive? Negative? Both?

As a “nation of immigrants”, is the USA unique?

In what ways have immigrants shaped the culture of the USA?

Is the American Dream the same for all Americans?

Unit 2: Those Who Were Forced to Come

What is the cultural and historical background of African Americans?

How have aspects of African culture been changed and absorbed into American culture?

What does it mean to be enslaved?

What effects have the history of African Americans had on their social and economic status in the USA?

What is prejudice? Racism? What has been done and what should we do to counteract the effects of prejudice and racism?

What parallels are there in the African American experience to other ethnic and minority groups?

How does African American literature and poetry reflect the African American experience?

Is there a distinctly African American version of the American Dream?

Additionally;

How has the American Dream changed since it began? What has remained constant? What forces caused changes?

What role has law played in changing the American Dream? What role has history? What other factors have been at work?

What is the future of the American Dream?

Is America a “melting pot”, a “mosaic”, a “salad bowl”, or something else.

Major skills:

Literary analysis, close reading, note taking and outlining, research skills, interviewing techniques, test taking, writing for different audiences, geography, managing long term assignments, writing essays, organization, listening skills, critical reading, computer skills, synthesizing information, using statistical data and primary sources

Readings:

Short stories and poetry, atlas, current events, novels, social study photocopy

Activities:

Films, immigrant diary project, family/personal history, creative writing, geography and map making, book reports, literary analysis, journal writing, group efforts, simulation, debates, presentations, poetry writing and analysis, thesis paper writing, trip to Williamsburg, cooperative learning, self-evaluation