Course Syllabus

Mr. Barkey 

Lewis - Palmer High School

bbarkey@lewispalmer.org

Black Days-5th Period (11:37am to 1:11pm)

Office Hours:  Monday - Friday from 9:15am to 10:59am

Remote Learning Platform:  Google Classroom -  LINK

Google Classroom Code: bu66u77w

 

Language 1 and 2 Syllabus

This semester’s objective is to engage Language students in reading, responding and interpreting a variety of texts in written and spoken English in order to better develop  English comprehension and fluency.  The course also seeks to provide support for the application of skills acquired below, in other classes.

This syllabus aligns with Colorado Academic Standards for Reading, Writing and Communicating.  Especially Standard #3, Writing and Composition.

 

Reading

Students will read selected short stories that relate to writing assignments.  Students will learn ‘active reading skills’ such as annotating and highlighting that can be applied in other classes.

Students will need to create an account to utilize articles and text found on https://newsela.com Aside from reading and comprehension development, students are required to participate in Reading Plus which provides real time data and individualized instruction.  A grade is transferred directly into Infinite Campus based on their participation in Reading Plus.

 

Writing

Students will write daily, either by hand or via technology.  Writing projects follow a continuous cycle:  Write - revise - write - revise, etc.  We carry on with this cycle until the finished piece of writing is free of spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors and as polished as possible. Students will learn basic creative writing elements like character, theme, setting, dialogue, and plot.  Due dates are set in advance along with a first draft due date.

 

Study Skills

Students will track and follow through with assignments using analog and calendars as well as other 21st century means.  Students will apply a variety of organizational and study skills to heighten awareness of deadlines and due dates.  Students will maintain a file holding digital copies of all work completed.

 

Technology

Keyboarding skills will be emphasized, with application of other technology supports such as speech to text available.  We will use Google Chromebooks so that we can minimize paper usage and maximize 21st century applications such as document sharing and web based supports such as Reading Plus.    Use of word processing, citation software and other technology aides will be used via the internet.  Safe and appropriate practices will be applied, especially when researching sources for essays.

 

Assignments and Daily Reading and Writing Activities 

MODULE DATES ARE APPROXIMATIONS

Module 1 “Summary Writing”

AUGUST 19 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 

         

1.1 Reading:   Jack London’s “To Build a Fire.”  Pages 23-28.

Listen/Watch:  To Build a Fire by Jack London | Full Audiobook  

 

Module 1 Writing Assignment: Write a one to two page summary of  what you know about the story so far, making sure to include:  a.) the main characters (protagonist and antagonist), b.) key points of the plot  and c.) a description of themes found in the short story.  Use at least one quote to support a.), b). c). in your summary.    

1.) Quoting a source starts by introducing it, then either paraphrasing or copying it from the text.. 

2.) You must include a citation, use http://www.citationmachine.net/items/new for your “Works Cited Page.”

3.) Essay must be written in MLA format, using all writing conventions.  

 

Submit your essay as a word document or Google Document, shared with bbarkey@lewispalmer.org.  You may write more if you choose.  

First Draft:   FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

Final Draft:  FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

                      

Module 2 “Using Punctuation”

SEPTEMBER 18 - OCTOBER 2, 2020        

 

2.1 Reading:  Jack London’s“To Build A Fire,” Pages 28 - 31.

2.2 Watch/Listen:  To Build a Fire by Jack London | Full Audiobook  

2.3 Worksheet: 

2.4 Writing Assignment:   

2 to 4 pages, double spaced, MLA format on a google document.  Use an organizer to help organize your essay.

 

First Draft Due:  FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020

Final Draft Due:  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2020

Module 3 “Gathering and Questioning Facts then Responding with Writing” 

OCTOBER 5 - OCTOBER 23, 2020

Find an article on Newsela.com (sign up for an account if you don’t have one -it’s free) that relates to one of the themes we’ve discussed in class:  “Man vs. Nature,” “Survival,” “The Risks of Exploration.”    https://newsela.com/search/articles/      

3.0 Read:  Jack London’s“To Build a Fire” Pages 31-36. 

Watch/Listen:  To Build a Fire by Jack London | Full Audiobook  

 

Due: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020

3.1 Write a Journal entry  (at least 1 page, single spaced) about the questions raised by the article or story.

Due:  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020

3.2 Write a Journal entry   (at least 1 page, single spaced) about your response to the facts or questions. 

Due:  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020  

 

Module 4 “Putting it All Together”

OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 13, 2020

 

Reading: “To Build a Fire” Pages 36 - 41.  

Evaluate:  Select the best points from each essay and combine them so that you can have a draft for a 2 to 4 page essay, double spaced and in MLA format.  

Watch/Listen: To Build a Fire by Jack London | Full Audiobook  

 

Prompt:  After reading the story, create an essay that compares how the author uses characters, setting, or plot to illustrate one of the themes we have discussed.

Submit First Draft by 11:59pm: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6,  2020

Final Draft Due by 11:59pm:  FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020 

 

Module 5 “Research Essay” 

NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 15, 2020

 

Research a problem that was presented in the story and find at least three articles that can support your views of a solution.  You may use research done in Module 3 as one of them:

5.1 Write a Journal entry (at least a paragraph)  about facts found in each of your articles.  Make sure that you reflect about how the article relates to the problem that you’ve selected.

Submit by 11:59pm:  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2020

5.2 Write a Journal entry  (at least a paragraph, single spaced) about the questions raised by each of the articles.  Make sure that you reflect about how the questions relates to the problem that you’ve selected.

 

Submit by 11:59pm:  FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020

5.3 Write a Journal entry   (at least a paragraph, single spaced) about your response to the facts or questions in each of your articles. Make sure that you reflect about how your response relates to the problem that you’ve selected.

 

Submit by 11:59pm:  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020

 

5.4 Select the best points from each entry and compile them into your first draft.  Check for lagos, pathos and ethos to convince your reader that the problem is in need of the solution you offer.

 

Submit FIRST DRAFT by 11:59pm:  FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

Submit 2ND DRAFT by 11:59pm: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

Submit FINAL DRAFT by 11:59pm FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18:  2020

Module 5 Reading/Writing Option :  Read both stories and compare and contrast how the themes are similar or different.

http://www.storyarts.org/library/aesops/stories/boy.html

http://dragonwings.yolasite.com/poems-and-short-stories/the-boy-who-cried-wolf-with-a-modern-twist-

      Listen:  https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/35/aesops-fables/375/the-boy-who-cried-wolf/ click on the 

      “Audio” button to hear the story.

Research Essay Prompts (Select only one):

• Write a Journal entry (at least 1 page, single spaced)  about one of the details found in either of the stories:  Who is the main character?  What is the setting of the story?  What is the theme? 
• Write a Journal entry (at least 1 page, single spaced) that defines how you value trust
• Write a Journal entry (at least 1 page, single spaced) that compares the two stories.  What are at least three differences?  Which story do you relate to most and why?  Is the story realistic?  Why or why not? 

Due date will follow the same Module 5 "Research Essay" expectations:

Submit FIRST DRAFT by 11:59pm:  FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

Submit 2ND DRAFT by 11:59pm: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

Submit FINAL DRAFT by 11:59pm FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18:  2020

ALL DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

 

Grading

 

Participation:  Active, appropriate and positive participation in class discussion is expected of all students on a daily basis. A daily grade may be entered periodically based on effort that day. 

 

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory, three tardies equals a referral.  Work missed due to illness or excused absences can be made up without penalty.

 

Cell Phones:  Use of cell phones and additional devices may be needed at some point during the semester, however, THEY ARE TO BE OUT OF SIGHT UNLESS REQUESTED.

 

Reading: Reading activities will be graded based on participation in class discussion.  Data from Reading Plus or written responses will be used to summarize comprehension of texts.

 

Writing Assignments:  All writing assignments are scaffolded to lead towards the completion of a polished and publishable artifact which is the Final Project.  For that reason the level of finish for each assignment will vary.  This term’s writing assignments are the assessment of each module. 

 

Benchmarks for each assignment rubric will vary based on the module’s objective.

Unless otherwise noted, all journals and writing assignments will be MLA Format with proper spelling, grammar and punctuation. 

Portfolio:  All Language 1 and 2 students will maintain and compile all evidence of reading and writing progress in their digital writing portfolio.  This is the final assessment of student learning as far as their individual organizational skills are concerned.  STUDENTS WILL HAVE AN IN-CLASS FOLDER TO BE USED FOR HANDOUTS.  This can be considered as a portfolio for a grade up to 100 points.

 

Please contact me with questions or concerns:  bbarkey@lewispalmer.org