“Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” ~ Walt Disney Company

Know yourself as a learner Be Inquisitive Take Initiative Explore Be Flexible

ReadWrite ThinkTake Risks

Be Prepared Do Your Best Be Respectful

What is conceptual teaching? Definition: helping students develop understanding in a content area using “big ideas,” that connect different areas of learning Understanding the relationship between concepts helps build enduring understandings. ~Dr. John D. Barge, Department of Education, Georgia State School Superintendent

Enduring Understandings Link content from UNIT to UNIT within English Link content from COURSE to COURSE over time Help students see the application of content to their own lives and to current events Text to World Text to Self Text to Text

Example: Concepts of CONFLICT & CHANGE: Essential Understanding might be… When there is conflict between or within societies, change can be a result. Essential question might be… How might conflict influence a change in perspective? – Dr. John D. Barge, Department of Education, Georgia State School Superintendent

Writer’s Workshop Units of Study (Lucy Calkins) Read like an author: Author’s perspective Author’s choice Kids need time to write Quick mini-lesson Write for 30+ minutes Questions students ask when writing: Why I am I writing this? For whom am I writing? The world needs to hear this…

Reading Read like an Author: Reading will parallel writing units. Mentor texts include: short stories, novels, articles Leveled reading will begin after the first Marking Period. Students will read: – as a whole class – in small groups – in pairs – independently Questions students should answer: Questions built around the concepts

Grading Policy GRADING (*Percentages subject to change depending on the material in the marking period) Tests/Quizzes/Writing:100% Classwork/Homework/Participation:expected * Depending on the circumstances, an extension may be given for an assignment. Please see me if an extension is needed. * Students are welcome to redo writing assignments for a better grade. However, they are to make arrangements to meet with me shortly after the assignment is returned graded. The teacher and student will then agree on a date to turn in the new work. (Under normal circumstances, this is usually within 1 week.)

Marking Period Focus Marking Period 1 – Narrative Writing and Realistic Fiction Marking Period 2 – Wrap up Narrative Writing and Realistic Fiction – Introduce Informational Writing and Historical Fiction Marking Period 3 – Wrap up Informational Writing and Historical Fiction – Introduce Argument Writing & reading Marking Period 4 – Wrap up Argument Writing & reading – Call to Action Presentations

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