Welcome to ATLAS!
Invitation to ATLAS
Your child has been selected for an exciting opportunity for the 2018-19 school year. Based on his or her past KPREP, Exact Path, and classroom performance, he/she has been nominated to take an advanced English Language Arts class called ATLAS (Advanced Topics in Language Arts Studies). This will be a combined class of 7th and 8th grade students who are all reading and writing above grade level and who would benefit from a challenging course of study. Some students in the class are identified as gifted, and some are not. I (Mrs. Gilbert) will be teaching the class. I have many years of middle and high school English teaching experience, so I know what kind of things students need to learn and do to be prepared for high school, Advanced Placement, and college!
You can check out my syllabus draft here. It is just a draft but gives you an idea of how the class will work. Each quarter will have a different theme with lots of independent reading, as well as whole class shared readings (fiction, non-fiction, drama, poetry), writing and speaking opportunities, and vocabulary development. There will be LOTS of work and it will be hard, but we will also have LOTS of (nerdy) fun and we will end the year having accomplished so much! I do not believe in busy work, so understand that all assignments will be valuable and significant to the learning process.
If your student is willing to accept this challenge, he/she needs to complete this form. Respond quickly, as I can only take 25 students and I have a waiting list!!
You can email me at elly.gilbert2@frankfort.kyschools.us with questions.
You can also sign up for text messages from Remind 101 by texting @altlascla to 81010.
Summer Reading
From my handout to students:
Dr. Hensley has challenged all of us to read 6 books this summer, and I wholeheartedly support that! I will be reading at least 6 books, too! Keep a list of these and share them with me on the first day. In addition to reading, one thing you’ll need to do if you want to take this class is agree to complete a summer reading project over one of the books you read. It should be appropriate to your reading level and your interests. I am not going to require a specific book or page length- just work with your parents and with me to find a book that works for you. You don’t have to keep a reading log or anything. Just read your books and pick a project from the back that demonstrates your learning on ONE OF THE BOOKS you read. This project is due on the first day of school. If you don’t have it, you will be sent to a different class!
Summer Reading Project Options
Write a letter to the author or a character in the book. Include questions you had, reflections/reactions to the text, and your opinion of how well the author succeeded in conveying the theme of the book. (One page minimum!)
Make a poster/collage/digital poster with a variety of images representing themes and concepts in the book. Include a brief (paragraph) written explanation of how your choices tie into the story.
Create a playlist of at least 10 songs (with a brief explanation of how each song fits the story) that could be a soundtrack for the book. You could also do a playlist that you would imagine the main character(s) would listen to. Same rules apply!
Create a scrapbook or memory box that a character in the book might have kept. Include a brief explanation of the artifacts you selected. You must have at least 8 artifacts.
Create a test over your book with at least 25 multiple choice questions and one essay question. Include an answer key! (HINT: Do not try to copy a test from the internet. I can find them!)
Draw a scene from the book. Write a brief explanation of the scene.
Create an ABC book of the important things that happened in the book. Have a picture and a sentence for each letter. Can be done as a slideshow.
Extend the story by writing a sequel or alternate ending, or rewriting a part of the story from another character’s point of view. (1 page minimum)
Decide who would be in the movie version of this book. Briefly explain why each actor is the best choice for the role. Be sure to list all the major characters, and as many minor characters as possible. Are there changes you would make for the movie? Why?
Write a review of the book. (One page minimum.) Include a brief summary (without revealing the entire plot- NO SPOILERS), establish your opinion of the book, then support your opinion with examples from the book. (Hint: if you are looking for a model of this, visit http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/book-reviews/) BONUS: Publish your review on Goodreads, Amazon, or another similar site.
Have another idea? Submit it to me for approval and we can probably make it happen!