Windor Junior High School Course of Study
2005-2006

Ms. Cognato													World Mythology

Prerequisites for this course: K-6 English classes

Course Description & Course Content:  In this class, students will extend their reading & writing skills. They will develop good reading practices, with emphasis on the Vermont-based "I'm a Reader" program. The vehicle used to develop these skills and to build vocabulary is the topic of World Mythology. Students will read myths from around the world. These myths will help students make connections between classical myths and the real world. When they read other texts in middle school and high school, this class will help them make connections between those texts and classic myths from around the world. By the end of this class, students will understand why a car company might want to name their car the "titan," and will recognize the word "narcisstic" on an SAT or Terra Nova. This class will also integrate drama with language arts. Students will choose a myth, rehearse and perform a short play for the middle school.   
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 myths from around the world.  For more information, please visit the class website at http://www.geocities.com/mscognato/worldmythology.html.
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.  World Mythology students are required to bring their binder OR separate notebook and folder, The Greek Gods by Evslin, Evslin & Hoopes, all handouts, pen or pencil (not red), and a ready mind to class each day.  The instructor will not provide the student with these materials.

Major Project Dates and Timelines:
Mythology Webquest - Week 1
Nature Myth - Weeks 1-2
Even Gods Have Bad Hair Days Writing Project - Week 3
Greek or Roman Mythology Play (performance) - Week 6
Mythology Project Due - Week 9

Required materials, supplies, etc.:  One subject 3 ring binder for Mythology only OR a separate notebook and folder, pen, pencil, good work ethic, The Greek Gods by Evslin, Evslin & Hoopes.

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, Audience, Conflict, Detail, Dialogue, Flashback, Foreshadowing, Imagery, Mood, Plot, Point of View (perspective, person), Purpose, Setting, Theme, Tone (vocab, and through diction, imagery, and detail), Metaphors, Similes, Personification, 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.
•	Types of Writing: Expressive/Imaginative, Expository (cause/effect, compare/contrast, definition, process), genre writing
•	Memorize & reciting 
•	Computer Skills (typing, research, etc.) 
•	Paraphrasing and Summarizing texts, 
•	Viewing images to determine and assign meaning, purpose, 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/worldmythology.html.  The instructor can also be reached at extension 344.