Mrs. Breaux 6th Grade ELA PreAP
You Are YOUNIQUE!
Welcome! The FSMS ELA philosophy is that an effective language arts program integrates reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, representing, and thinking in a meaningful way. Our goal is to create lifelong readers and writers who critically analyze text no matter what the genre.
ELA PreAP Focus
These courses are designed to prepare students for college level AP classes that are typically taught in 11th and 12th grade. The amount of skills and content that must be covered in a Pre AP course requires that students read and write extensively outside of class.
If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.
Students who complete AP courses are:
- Better prepared academically.
- More likely to specialize in more challenging majors.
- Likely to complete more college coursework in four years.
- Likely to perform significantly better in college than students who did not take AP courses.
- More likely to exercise leadership.
- More likely to graduate with a double major.
- Twice as likely to go into advanced study (Ph.D. programs, medicine, and law).
- At an advantage for college admission.
— Willingham & Morris, 1986; University of Texas, 1988
Summer Reading
6th Grade
Regular ELA: Choose one of the following:
Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Travel Team by Mike Lupica
Heaven by Angela Johnson
Iqbal by Francesco D’Adamo
GT/Pre AP must choose one from the following list:
Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Travel Team by Mike Lupica
Heaven by Angela Johnson
Iqbal by Francesco D’Adamo
And an additional one from the following:
The Alchemyst by Michael Scott
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
7th Grade
Regular ELA: Choose one from the following list:
RF - Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
RF - Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanan
HF - Blood Red Horse by K.M. Grant
SF - Truesight by David Stahler, Jr.
NF - Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton and Rick Bundschuh
Pre-AP: Choose two different genres from the following list:
RF - Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
RF - Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanan
HF - Blood Red Horse by K.M. Grant
SF - Truesight by David Stahler, Jr.
NF - Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton and Rick Bundschuh
8th Grade:
Pre-AP
How to Read Literature Like a Professor, for Kids by Thomas C. Foster
In addition, select one of the following:
Gifted Hands by Ben Carson
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Regular ELA:
How to Read Literature Like a Professor, for Kids by Thomas C. Foster
The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
Rules/Procedures
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Come to my class prepared to work. Bring supplies to class every day. Write down Assignments in your planner/agenda. The key word is preparation!
· Respect the feelings, property, and personal space of others. Respect the right of others to learn.
· A uniform heading is required on all papers. Make sure your full name and assignment is on every paper. If you fail to put your name on an assignment, you will not receive credit for that assignment until you claim your paper from the “NO NAME” file.
· Be in your seat before the bell rings. You should begin working on any Do-Now activity as soon as you walk in the room. The teacher, not the bell, will dismiss class. Stay seated until I dismiss you.
· Raise your hand and WAIT for permission before speaking. Stay in your assigned seat unless given permission.
· Personal needs will be taken care of before you come to class. Go to the bathroom/locker before the bell rings.
Retesting/Reassessment Policy
For major grades that you make below 70%, you have the opportunity to be reassessed to earn a grade no higher than 75%. Students who failed, must be reassessed; attend a tutorial reteach session prior to the reassessment, and then complete the reassessment during tutorials.
Late Work Policy
Assignments are due when asked for, usually at the beginning of the period. If you fail to turn in an assignment when it is collected, it will be considered LATE. Students will receive partial credit for assignments turned in late—ten points will be deducted from the grade earned each day. FBISD Policy for late work will be enforced after five day period.
Make-Up Work Policy
If you are absent from my class, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed. I will not seek you out to tell you what you need to make up. See me for missed assignments and check Edmodo first! If you miss my class because of a school related event, it is your responsibility to get the work you will miss BEFORE you leave to avoid having points deducted for getting the assignment in late. The number of days missed with excused absences is equal to the number of days you have to make the work up. If you are absent when an assignment is due or on a test day, you may be responsible for turning in the assignment or taking the missed exam the day you return, especially if you were told about it prior to your absence.
Grading System
Daily Work (50%) Daily grades consist of class work, homework, quizzes, vocabulary, class participation, etc…
Major Grades (50%) Major grades consist of unit tests, skills tests, timed writing, essays, reading analysis forms, reading response journals, projects. All rubrics and assignments will be given to you in a timely manner so preparation is done on your part as the learner.
Independent Studies
Lone Star Bookworm
Literary Analysis SAR’s
Reading Response
SAT Vocabulary
Technology Based Work Products
Compacted Curriculum