ELA 1-2 Honors Renaissance ELA Syllabus

Semester One 2022

Instructor Information

General Information

Description

Our Middle School Renaissance program is designed to provide a differentiated curriculum which will address the needs, abilities, and interests of each gifted student. Our first semester units will focus on Dystopian Literature, Science Fiction, Tales of the Strange and Mysterious, Informational Text, and Narrative Writing.

Expectations and Goals

Students will arrive to class with an earnest desire to learn and discover. We will establish our class norms together during the first week of school.

Course Materials

Required Materials

All materials will be provided in class and/or online via Canvas.

Utopia (From William and Mary Center for Gifted Education Materials)

Fahrenheit 451

The House of the Scorpion

Literary Texts:

Dystopian/Science Fiction:

Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut 

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell

The Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury

All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury

There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury

The Veldt by Ray Bradbury

Tales of the Strange and Mysterious

The Landlady by Roald Dahl

Lamb to Slaughter by Roald Dahl

The Monkey's Paw by W.W. Jacobs

The Open Window by Saki

The Pit and The Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe

Assessment Policy

Homework is assigned on an “as needed” basis. Students who require additional practice or support in a subject area will be assigned homework until mastery is achieved. Students will have specific time built into daily schedules (third period) where they will work on areas of need, enrichment, or homework in all subject areas. Students will have projects and long-term assignments that will require work out of school, but with proper use of in-class time, that work should be minimized.   

Assessments are designed to be completed in class, though some students may require additional time to complete the assessment, and will be determined on an individual basis. All long-term projects are expected to be completed by the assigned due date.

Quizzes and tests may be re-taken for grades below an 80%. All final exam grades are final- no retakes are permitted. All assessments and classwork will be submitted to canvas within assigned timeframe. Late work may be subject to loss of points. Students who have not submitted work within one week of the due date will be given a 50% as a grade for the assignment.  Exams will be done in class, on paper or through Canvas.

Direct Student Support Time

Students are given a specific time each day to work on assignments, get extra help and support, or pursue enrichment activities. Students will NOT be permitted to use this time for gaming, cell phone use, etc. Enrichment materials are available for students in class if needed.