Language Arts Courses 2011-2012 School Year
| Reading (Elementary) Book List
|
NOTE: The following two classes have been
combined for 2011-2012.
ABC’s,
Games, and Rhymes
Grade K4
Pre-Requisites: 4 years-old by August 15, 2011
Instructor: Betsy Olson
This class is a fun introduction to the alphabet for any young learner. Through group games, play-time, songs, rhymes, stories, and hands-on activities, students will develop a solid foundation in preparation for reading and writing in the near future. Enriching and fun activities for parents and students will be encouraged between classes to reinforce concepts started in class. Some of the skills developed during this class will be: letter recognition (various printed and non-printed forms), phonemic awareness, small motor, listening, taking turns, sharing and respect for others, describing and organizing information, Christian character, memorization and recitation.
Letters,
Sounds, and Words
Grade K5
Pre-requisites: 5 years-old by August 15, 2011
Instructor: Betsy Olson
This engaging class will introduce and enforce letter recognition, introductory phonics, and printing. Students will explore enriching themes with fun activities, play acting, and literature based projects. Students will participate in games and activities in class to reinforce all of the concepts introduced. At home assignments will be provided to help parents and students to continue the fun through the week. Skills developed in this class will be: letter recognition (various printed and non-printed forms), phonemic awareness, small motor, writing, listening, taking turns and sharing, respect and Christian character, describing and organizing information, memorization and recitation.
The Little
Literary
Grade K4 and K5 (2 year cycle)
Pre-requisites: 4 years-old by August 15, 2011
Instructor: Colleen Williams
Students will develop a love for learning and literature through this funtastic class which cycles through a 2 year time period. Through a literature appreciation approach, student and parents will explore the wonderful world of books. The class will consist of story-time, play-time, costumes, make believe, group games, songs, rhymes, and hands-on activities. Books will come alive for students and their families each week as they explore these engaging stories. This class will require parents to read aloud at home during the week to nurture the love of reading and to enforce the activities done in class. Some of the skills developed during this class will be: small motor, large motor, listening, speaking in front of a group, taking turns, sharing and respect for others, describing and organizing information, Christian character, memorization and recitation.
Literary
Adventures 1
Grade 1
Pre-Requisite: Placement Test for Reading Readiness or LV Teacher Approval
Instructor: Dotty Forberg
Reading ready students will use Harcourt Trophies Reading Program to begin the solid pathway to literacy and learning. Trophies is a research-based, developmental reading/language arts program. Explicit phonics instruction; direct reading instruction; guided reading strategies; phonemic awareness instruction; systematic, intervention strategies; integrated language arts components; and state-of-the-art assessment tools ensure every student successfully learns to read. Other fantastic literature and resources will be incorporated for added interest and at-home fun with Mom and Dad. In class, students will participate in engaging themed group activities and games which will reinforce critical concepts and skills to develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, spelling, and fluency. A love for reading will be fostered through the combined efforts of parents (read-aloud stories and fun family activities) in addition to classroom group time.
Beginning
Writing and Grammar I
Grade 1
Pre-Requisite: Placement Test—Reading Readiness and ability to write name and all the alphabet legibly
Instructor: Faith Bruck
Students will use the Harcourt Language Program to embark upon the pathway to developing the very important life-long skill of effective writing. This fun and encouraging course will introduce students to sentence construction and introductory grammar which will be covered through the program. Writing instruction will include group writing activities, stories, and descriptive writing. Accurate spelling within the students own writing will be reinforced in each assignment. Small motor skills will be developed though drawing, coloring, cutting and handwriting—all encompassed in the writing of words, sentences and little stories as well as copy work of interesting literary pieces, poetry and scriptures. Handwriting will be of parental choice, but we will encourage printing if there is not a preference. Captivating themes and activities along with encouraging support at home will set the foundation for the students in this class to become confident young writers.
Literary
Adventures 2
Grade 2
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Read at 1st grade level (minimum) and able to write words
Instructor: Faith Bruck
This reading focused class will use the Harcourt Trophies Reading Program to help students stay on the solid path to literacy and learning. Trophies is a research-based, developmental reading/language arts program. Explicit phonics instruction; direct reading instruction; guided reading strategies; phonemic awareness instruction; systematic, intervention strategies; integrated language arts components; and state-of-the-art assessment tools ensure every student successfully learns to read. Other fantastic literature and resources will be incorporated for added interest and at-home fun with Mom and Dad. In class, students will participate in engaging themed group activities and games which will reinforce critical concepts and skills to develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, spelling, and fluency. A love for reading will be fostered through the combined efforts of parents (read-alouds and fun family activities) in addition to classroom group time.
Beginning
Writing and Grammar 2
Grade 2
Pre-Requisite: Placement Test—Read at 1st grade level (minimum) and able to write a simple sentence
Instructor: Dotty Forberg
This writing focused class will use the Harcourt Language
Program to help students develop this very important life-long skill. This fun
and encouraging course will introduce students to grammatical concepts such as
sentence parts and types, nouns, pronouns, verbs, verb tenses, adjectives, and
adverbs. Writing is taught using literature models and guided with pre-writing
activities, drafts, editing, and sharing. Types of writing taught will include
personal stories, friendly letters, descriptive paragraphs, how-to paragraphs,
and research reports. Cross curricular writing will be encouraged when choosing
topics. Accurate spelling within the students own writing will be reinforced in
each assignment. The small motor
skills will be developed though drawing, coloring, cutting and
handwriting—all encompassed in the writing of sentences, short paragraphs
and stories, as well as copy work of interesting literary pieces, poetry and scriptures. Handwriting style will be of parental
choice, but we will encourage printing with the start of cursive the second
semester if there is no preference.
Captivating themes and classroom activities along with encouraging
support at home will set the
Literary
Adventures 3
Grade 3
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Read at 2nd grade level (minimum) and able to write a simple sentence
Instructor: Colleen Williams
Students will use the Harcourt Trophies Reading Program to continue their reading journey along the solid path to literacy and learning. Trophies is a research-based, developmental reading/language arts program. Explicit phonics instruction; direct reading instruction; guided reading strategies; phonemic awareness instruction; systematic, intervention strategies; integrated language arts components; and state-of-the-art assessment tools ensure every student successfully learns to read well. Other fantastic literature and resources will be incorporated for added interest and at-home fun with Mom and Dad. In class, students will participate in engaging themed group activities and games which will reinforce critical concepts and skills to develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, spelling, and fluency. A love for reading will be fostered through the combined efforts of parents in addition to classroom group time.
Growing with
Writing and Grammar
Grades 3 and 4
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Reading 2nd grade level (minimum) and able to write a paragraph
Instructor: Lisa Shafer
Note: This class includes grades 3 and 4.
While the classroom activities will remain the same for both groups, the
student textbook, workbook, homework, and tests will be assigned according to
tested level.
Students will use the Harcourt Language Program to embark upon the pathway to developing the very important life-long skill of writing. This fun and encouraging course will introduce students to grammatical concepts including simple/compound/complex sentences, subjects, predicates, verbs (action and linking), verb tenses, nouns, irregular verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, phrases, clauses, fragments, run-ons, punctuation, and using negatives correctly. Writing is taught using literature models and guided with pre-writing activities, drafts, editing, and sharing. Types of writing will include expressive, expository, and persuasive, and will include research reports, personal narratives, ordered information, how-to essays, and folktales. Cross curricular writing will be encouraged when choosing topics. Accurate spelling within the students own writing will be reinforced in each assignment. Small motor skills will continue to be developed though drawing, coloring, cutting and handwriting—all encompassed in the writing of sentences, short paragraphs and stories, as well as copy work of interesting literary pieces, poetry and scriptures. Handwriting will be of parental choice, but we will encourage cursive if there is not preference. Through captivating themes and activities done in class along with parental support and encouragement, the students in this class will grow into confident young writers.
Literary
Adventures 4 - CANCELLED
Grade 4
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Read at 3rd grade level (minimum) and able to write a paragraph
Instructor: TBA
Students will use the Harcourt Trophies Reading Program to continue their reading journey along the solid path to literacy and learning. Trophies is a research-based, developmental reading/language arts program. Explicit phonics instruction; direct reading instruction; guided reading strategies; phonemic awareness instruction; systematic, intervention strategies; integrated language arts components; and state-of-the-art assessment tools ensure every student successfully learns to read well. Other fantastic literature and resources will be incorporated for added interest and at-home fun with Mom and Dad. In class, students will participate in engaging themed group activities and games which will reinforce critical concepts and skills to develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, phonics, spelling, and fluency. A love for reading will be fostered through the combined efforts of parents in addition to classroom group time.
Introduction
to Literature
Grade 5 and 6
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Read at 4th or 5th grade level (minimum) and able to write a paragraph.
Instructor: Michele Anderson
Students will learn reading comprehension and spelling
strategies using the Harcourt Trophies program, and begin a study of literature
using novels and corresponding study guides that foster the understanding of
literary devices, themes, and related vocabulary. Group projects, games, and
presentations will energize students’ love for reading and understanding
of the novels. The study guides and related class instruction will encourage a
biblical worldview and critical thinking skills. A love for reading will
be fostered through the combined efforts of parents in addition to classroom
group time. This course is a two year
cycle—with the 2011 school year using the cycle two reading list below.
Winning with
Writing and Grammar
Grades 5/6
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Read at 4th grade level (minimum) and able to write a paragraph.
Instructor: Michele Anderson
Note: This class includes grades 5 and 6.
While the classroom activities will remain the same for both groups, the
student textbook, workbook, homework, and tests will be assigned according to
tested level.
Students will use the Bob Jones English program to embark upon the pathway to developing the very important life-long skill of writing. This combined level, fun and encouraging course will expand the students’ knowledge of grammatical concepts including simple/compound/complex sentences, subjects, predicates, verbs (action and linking), verb tenses (including perfect tense), nouns, irregular verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, phrases, clauses, fragments, run-ons, punctuation, and usage. Writing is taught using literature models and guided with pre-writing activities, drafts, editing, and sharing. Types of writing will include personal, expressive, expository, compare/contrast, persuasive, and will include research reports, personal narratives, news story, poetry, letter writing, how-to essays, and play writing. Handwriting will be of parental choice, but we will encourage cursive if there is not a preference. Through captivating themes and activities done in class along with parental support and encouragement, the students in this class will grow into confident young writers.
English A/B
Grade 7 and 8
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Read at 6th grade level (minimum) and able to write a short essay or story.
Instructor: Rachel Ford
This course includes the study of writing and grammar, as well as a significant amount of reading--for the purposes of analysis and comprehension. Through the incorporation of IEW B and The 6 +1 Writing Traits, students will polish and refine their own composition skills. The mechanics of grammar will be learned through practice and then incorporated into the students' own writing. The literary focus will be based in biblical morals and values through a variety of short stories, literature, and poetry. Throughout the course, students examine the elements of literature and strengthen their critical thinking skills.
This course is a two
year cycle—with the 2011 school year using the cycle two reading list.
Students will work from a grade specific grammar textbook (Bob Jones Writing and Grammar) and be
tested accordingly.
English I
Grade: High School 9th
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Read at an 8th grade level (minimum) and able to write a long three paragraph story or essay
Instructor: Allyson Howard
This course develops a solid foundation in reading, writing, speaking, grammar and vocabulary in preparation for higher level studies of all subjects. The composition component incorporates techniques from IEW C and The 6 +1 Writing Traits, and will reflect a variety of types: analysis, classification, comparison and contrast, persuasion, argument, and research. All compositions are assigned relative to the literature studied in class. Grammar and vocabulary are heavily addressed and incorporated as they pertain to reading and writing in the course. All literature is studied from a Christian perspective, and themes important to developing strength of character and morals are emphasized throughout.
English II
Grade: High School 10th
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Read at 9th grade level (minimum) and able to write a three paragraph story or essay
Instructor: Allyson Howard
This course continues to build on the skills started in English I. Composition through IEW C and The 6 +1 Writing Traits continues to strengthen writing skills. Essays for the purposes of analysis, classification, comparison and contrast, persuasion, argument, and research are completed and timed ACT/SAT essays are incorporated throughout the year to prepare students for these very important college entrance exams. A deep appreciation for literature and learning is emphasized along with reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar skills especially relevant to tests such as the PSAT, ACT, and SAT. An emphasis on public speaking and presentation skills will be developed and honed throughout the year.
English III:
Advanced Language and Composition with Rhetoric
Grades: High School 11th and 12th
Pre-Requisites: Placement Test—Read at a 10th grade level (minimum) and able to write a solid 5 paragraph essay
Instructor: Allyson Howard
This challenging course aims to develop persuasive communicators by taking the students’ writing and presentation skills to the next level. Through the analysis of classical and contemporary literature, students learn to discern the arguments or aims of a wide variety of texts to determine how an author’s choice of words, structure, and strategy contribute to the effectiveness and beauty of that piece of work. With regard for truth and a commitment to the imitation of Chri