1. What will grading look like?
Standards-Based Grading
Authentic work to show proficiency
Rubrics for grading
3 is the place to be
A 4 is hard to come by
Proficiency to Standard
Standard-Based Grade
Translation
Assignment Weight
AP-Advanced 4 A
Pre-Assessment %
MP-Meets 3 B
Classwork %
DP-Developing 2 C
Projects %
BP-Below 1 D
Quizzes/Tests %
NA-Not Applicable
Below 1 F

2. What is the due date?
All work is expected to be finished on the date it is due unless there are circumstances beyond our control or there are legally documented accommodations in place.
To get an extension past the due date, students must ask for a meeting to present the reason they need more time. This needs to be done before the due date.
If no extension has been agreed upon, student grades will go down one point per day, or one proficiency grade each week it is past due.
If students have three or more missing or late assignments in a quarter, we will set up a conference with parents and the student to find out what is getting in the way of completing the assignments.

3. K-8 Work at Home Policy
Typically, Westgate students do not have school work to complete at home. We want them to have time to be kids, spend time with family, and pursue other passions. Exceptions to this norm are:
When a student has make-up work from absences,
When extra practice is needed to become proficient in a skill,
When a student has been unproductive during their class time,
4. When there is a special “at home project.”

4. Mr. Rowan’s Language Arts Class
My Goal:
My goal for Language Arts is to provide students with effective strategies and multiple learning opportunities to apply, reinforce, and demonstrate reading, writing and communicating strategies in order to meet the individual needs of students so they are able to participate as active citizens in a technologically advanced society.

5. Unit 1 Storytelling using the Hero’s Journey Archetype
Unit 1 Storytelling using the Hero’s Journey Archetype. Student’s will explore the different stages and be able to pick them out from various stories and movies. Short Story: By the Waters of Babylon Hero’s Journey Narrative

6. Unit 2 Biography and Historical Fiction
Unit 2 Biography and Historical Fiction. Students will read Chains in book groups as we decide what parts of the book are “history” and what parts are “fiction.” The unit will analyze the differences between memoir, biography, and autobiography before writing a biography for the character of their choosing.

7. Unit 3 Persuasion Students will read the short story The Scarlet Ibis
Unit 3 Persuasion Students will read the short story The Scarlet Ibis. As they do this, they must decide if one of the characters is guilty or innocent of murder. After making their decision, students will take part in a trial simulation where they will give their opening argument as a prosecutor or defense. We will have a student jury who will then decide guilt or innocence based on these persuasive arguments.

8. Unit 4 Science Fiction unit
Unit 4 Science Fiction unit. Students will get to choose between the four books in the Cinder series. Students will first read the corresponding fairy tale and then compare how well this modern rendition stays true to the original. Students will create a book trailer as a final project.