• English/Language Arts Overview

    Elizabeth Fessler

     

    GOAL OF THIS CLASS: To focus on the important literacy skills that kids will use for years to come–reading and annotating texts, citing evidence, writing cohesively in response to any prompt, engaging in thoughtful discussion, supporting claims with reasons/evidence, and the list goes on.  

    CENTRAL TEXTS: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, Lyddie by Katherine Peterson, and excerpts from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, by Frederick Douglass.  We will also read many supplemental articles throughout each of our units.

    ASSIGNMENTS/PROJECTS/ASSESSMENTS: 

    • citing evidence to support a claim using the quote response format

    • Refugee research project

    • presentation/real-life examination of work conditions in a job of your student’s choice along/interview with parent

    • Defining literary devices and identifying the power of figurative language in writing (and songs)

    • Socratic Seminar 

    • In-class assessments over the texts, usually with a writing focus.  

    • Essay writing

    • Short stories and creative writing

    HOMEWORK:  Almost all of the work we do in ELA will take place in the classroom unless there are the occasional assignments that do not get completed during class.  As a standing homework assignment, I ask kids to relay what we worked on each day; what we are reading, writing, and the topics we discuss. 

    CONTACT ME: emfessler@mcpsmt.org or by phone at 406-728-2400 ex. 2676