Windor Junior High School Course of Study
2005-2006

Ms. Cognato		8th grade English

Prerequisites for this course: K-7 English classes

Course Description & Course Content:  This course is an English class that focuses on reading and writing in alignment with the Vermont State Standards for grade seven.  This class was created to help students communicate more effectively through their writing and to improve their reading skills.  Students will write using a variety of different media (journals, letters, essays and additional written assignments).   English will be integrated with U.S. History at various points throughout the year to help foster a community of higher learning and to help students create intellectual bridges from class-to-class and to the real world.   Historical Fiction will be focused on during the first two quarters.
Course Goals: 1) The first and primary goal of this course is to improve reading and writing skills. 2) The second goal of this course is to foster a love of reading, learning and knowledge in general.   3) The third goal of this course is to instill organizational skills and a sense of responsibility as far as schoolwork is concerned.
Methods and Materials that will be used:  A plethora of teaching methods and instuctional techniques will be employed throughout the school year.  These methods will vary according to the content that is being covered and the work that is being done.  Differentiated instruction is a big priority in this course and students will be given material that challenges them at their own personal level.  Materials will include books.  Many books.  Some of the books seventh graders will be reading are the following: The Birchbark House, Morning Girl, The Beaded Moccasins, Two Old Women, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Lyddie, and Ender's Game.  Fairytales, folktales, poetry, short stories and picture books will also be used.   Students will also be required to do independent reading outside of class.  They are required to read 2 novels of their choice outside of class each quarter.  Please note that these books must be approved by their classroom teacher.  
How student performance will be assessed:  Students will be assessed through informal and formal methods.  Some of these methods include rubrics, tests, quizzes, online quizzes, homework assignments, journal entries, special presentations, projects, book reports, etc.
Grading Policy: The Middle School Grading Policy will apply to this class.  The first day an assignment is late, the student will receive 75% of the grade they would have received had they turned it in on time.  Therefore, if a student turned in an A+ project one day late, they would receive a C (75%).  The second day the assignment is late, the student will receive 50% of the grade they would have received had they turned it in on time.  Students are highly encouraged to hand their work in on time.  Extensions will be granted to students in the event of extreme illness, a death in the family or other extenuating circumstances.  Extensions are given out at the discretion of the teacher.  Students will be graded in the following areas: homework, preparation, quizzes and tests, journals, and projects.  The percentage of the following categories is listed below.  The categories and weighting thereof are subject to change.  However, in the event that a change is made, the instructor will notify the students of the alteration to the grading policy.
•	Homework: 35%
•	Preparation: 10%
•	Quizzes & Tests: 20%
•	Journals: 5%
•	Projects: 30%

Teacher Expectations:  Middle School students are expected to abide by the middle school expectations at all times.  English 8 students are required to bring their binder, pen or pencil (not red), a book for silent reading, and a ready mind to class each day.  The instructor will not provide the student with these materials.

Major Project Dates and Timelines:
Speech & Poetry Competition : Date TBA
A FBR (Fun Book Report) is due each quarter: Dates TBA
Mock Salem Witch Trial: Date TBA
Trip to Salem, MA: Date TBA
other projects and essays: Dates TBA

Required materials, supplies, etc.:  One subject 3 ring binder for English only, pen, pencil, book for silent reading, good work ethic, journal (provided by school).

Links to State Standards: Students will learn the following literary elements and devices (in accordance with the VT state standards):  
•	Literary Elements and Devices: Archetypes, Setting, Characters (flat/round, motivation, protagonist/antagonist), Audience, Conflict, Detail, Diction (denotation, connotation, vocab, idiom), Dialogue, Flashback, Foreshadowing, Imagery, Mood, Plot, Point of View (perspective, person), Purpose, Setting, Structure, Suspense, Theme, Tone (vocab, and through diction, imagery, and detail), Metaphors, Similes, Oxymorons, Personification, Alliteration, Assonance, Onomatopoeia, Rhyme, Hyperbole, Irony, Symbolism, Allusion and Voice. 
•	Steps of Writing: Prewriting (selecting topic, general ideas, organization of ideas, and brainstorming methods), Drafting, Revision (for content, unity, sentence variety, precise diction, organization, voice), Editing (for sentence structure, grammar, mechanics), Peer Editing, and Publishing.
•	Structure of Writing: Introduction and thesis, Body (topic sentence, use of evidence, commentary, and quotes), and Conclusion. 
•	Organization: Using transitions in writing, Patterns (such as spatial, order of importance, chronological, etc.), Style/Voice (selection of detail and vocab, use of literary elements and devices, use of voice and tone, imitation of stylistic models (sentences), experimentation, ability to rearrange, delete, and elaborate in writing. 
•	Types of Writing: Analytical, Descriptive, Expressive/Imaginative, Expository (cause/effect, compare/contrast, definition, process), Narrative, Personal, Persuasive (argue, request, defend), Appeals (logical and emotional), Timed Essays (paragraphs, multi paragraphs), Extended Time Essays (multi para, multi draft), Note Taking, Biography, Auto-biography, genre writing, poetry, and letter writing (personal and business). 
•	Grammar : Capitalization, Punctuation, Spelling, Direct/Indirect Objects, Subject/verb agreement, Use of subjective & objective pronouns, Parts of speech (nouns, verbs, conjunctions, interjections, prepositions, adjectives, adverbs, articles and pronouns), Prepositional phrases/infinitive phrases, Dependent/Subordinate Clauses, Independent Clauses, Sentences- Purpose (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory) and Structure (simple, compound, complex, compound complex), Sentence Variety (combining and beginnings), and Syntax Techniques (repetition and reversal). 
•	Sharing writing and Peer Editing Listening to stories/novels on tape 
•	Memorize & reciting selected poems 
•	Computer Skills (typing, research, etc.) 
•	Paraphrasing and Summarizing texts, 
•	Viewing images to determine and assign meaning, purpose, etc. 
•	Reading Skills such as: analogies, cause/effect, inferences, classification, comparison/contrast, prediction, euphamisms, generalizations, word parts (prefixes, suffixes), fact vs. opinion, use of literary elements and devices in written works, author's purpose, and author's style. Reading Strategies such as webs, story maps, character maps, KWL charts, etc. 
•	Mythology and Culture of the World 
•	Oral Presentation (good communication and audience skills and responding and evaluating to presentations) 
•	Listening Skills (ability to take notes, ability to listen to guests, presentations, etc. responding and evaluating to presentations) 
•	Critical Thinking and Questioning Skills 

Teacher availability, extra help, contact information:  The instructor will be available after school most days from 2:15 to 3PM.  The instructor will most likely be available until 4PM, but not always, due to meetings and other commitments.  Students may drop by after school without making an appointment.  However, it is best to make an appointment to insure that the instructor does not have a conflict and will be available for extra help.  Parents and students can reach the instructor by sending an email to: lauren_cognato@windsor.k12.vt.us or mscognato@yahoo.com.  Assignments and other helpful information are located on the class website at http://www.geocities.com/mscognato.  The instructor can also be reached at extension 344.