Language Arts
Grade 6
​Mrs. Yialias
CLASS 601 (YIALIAS) CODE:  myyqpef  
CLASS 602 (YIALIAS) CODE:  agqirit
CLASS 603 (YIALIAS) CODE:  72n4qpe
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Grading Policy

Language Arts:

25%
Class Work, Formative Tasks, and Participation in Discussion

25%
Unit Summative Writing Pieces
PerformanceTasks
Projects

25%
Literacy Assignments and Homework 

25%
Reading and Writing
Assessments

S = SUBMITTED
M = MISSING/0
INC = INCOMPLETE
L = LATE

CCLS Rubrics-based Scores:
4  - Exemplary
(Exceeding the Standards)
3 - Proficient
(Meeting the Standards)
2 - Basic
(Approaching the Standards)
1 - Limited
(Far Below the Standards)

Links
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Current Unit: Novel Study
The Lightning Thief:  From Past to Present:
  • How do the beliefs, culture, and myths of Ancient Greece inspire and affect contemporary literature? 
  • How does the archetype of "The Hero's Journey" affect the plot, characters, and conflict in the novel?
  • How does the comprehension of mythical allusions deepen comprehension of complex text?
Unit Overview
Students will read Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief with a
focus on the elements of the  archetypal hero’s journey and mythical allusions. Close reading of complex informational texts focus on themes and elements of mythology. Students will closely read and engage in ongoing literary discussions to elaborate, support, and deepen comprehension. In addition, additional close reading of complex Greek myths alluded to in the novel will be analyzed and discussed in small groups to build expertise and prepare for discussion.

Students will continually develop their analytical and comparative writing and discussion skills as they respond to prompts, support claims, analyze character, conflict, and plot development, and provide supporting textual evidence in constructed responses. They will create a crosswalk between the archetypal “Hero’s Journey” and The Lightning Thief  that connects informational to literary text.
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PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES PROVIDED BELOW (AUDIO LINKS and WEBSITES)
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Unit: Greek Myths Matter
Essential Questions:
  • Why do myths matter?
  • What makes a myth?
  • How are myths relevant today?
Text: D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths:
Through close reading of informational and literary texts, writing, and discussion, students will analyze, compare, explain, and evaluate the purposes, elements, and themes of Greek mythology and determine their relevance to contemporary literature. 
Unit Objectives and Topics:
  • Elements of Mythology
  • Analysis of Central Ideas/Themes/Elements of Myths
  • Proper Organization and Elaboration in Written Responses
  • Analyzing and Connecting Complex Informational Texts to Literary Texts
  • Providing Text-based Evidence to support inferences
  • Writing Plot Summaries
  • Character Traits and Attributes 
  • Application of "Power Words" in Reading, Writing, and Discussion
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Welcome September 2020 Grade 6 Students
English Language Arts Supply List:​ ​(No Binder Needed)
❏ 4 ​RED​ sturdy Two-Pocket Folders for UNIT Studies; Please bring only 2 to school, labeled as follows:
               ❏ ELA UNIT FOLDER
               ❏ ELA TOOLKIT FOLDER
❏ 1 hard-covered Composition Notebook (“marble notebook”)
❏ Classic BLUE or BLACK pens or # 2 pencils
❒ One 4-colored pen​ (For revising and editing)
❒ Red​ and green pens​ (For revising and editing; 2 of each)
❒ Post-it Sticky Notes​ 3” X 3” (12 packs); Bring two packs to school daily.
❒ 4 different colors of highlighters
❒ Intermediate ​level dictionary REQUIRED​. Please keep this dictionary at home​. Suggested titles (available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble):
           ❖ American Heritage Student Dictionary
           ❖ Merriam-Webster’s Intermediate Dictionary
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Ongoing Language Arts Objectives:
We are building and enriching our Literacy Skills:
Reading and Comprehending Complex Text
Informational Articles and Literary Texts:
Reading with Purpose
Close Reading Skills and Strategies:
  •          Close Reading Symbols 
  •          Annotating Skills
Writing Skills:
  • Proper Organization and Sentence Structure
  • Providing accurate and relevant text-based details to support responses 
  • Writing properly organized short constructed responses, supported by relevant text-based details
  • ​Examining  and explaining text-based details to provide insightful analysis
  • ​Extension and Elaboration of TBDs
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​September:: Introduction to Grade 6
Language Arts Standards-based Goals and Expectations:
  • Close Reading and Annotating Skills and Strategies               
  • Reading Complex Text: Informational Articles
  •  Effective Questioning Techniques
  • Providing Text-based Evidence to support inferences
  •  Proper Writing Formats:
  •  Responding to Reading Comprehension Questions
  • Writing Proper Paragraphs and Short Constructed Responses
Greek Myths Resources:
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths - Audio Files: Click on the title and/or the link that appears and read along while you listen to the myth:
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        - In Olden Times                            - Athena
        - Gaea                                             - Poseidon
        - The Titans                                    - Apollo
        - Cronus                                          - Artemis
        - Zeus                                              - Hermes
        - Hera                                              - Hades
        - Hephaestus                                  - Persephone
        - Aphrodite                                     - Dionysus
        - Ares
Greek Mythology Websites:
AUDIO FILES: The Lightning Thief Resources: 
​After reading and annotating each chapter, you may listen to the Audio versions (LINKS below)  This resource is offered to build listening and comprehension skills.
AUDIO LINKS BELOW:
The Lightning Thief Chapter 1
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​2
The Lightning Thief Chapter 3
The Lightning Thief Chapter 4 
The Lightning Thief Chapter 5 
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​6
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​7
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​8
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​9
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​10
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​11
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​12
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​13
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​14
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​15
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​16
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​17
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​18
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​19
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​20
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​21
The Lightning Thief Chapter ​22
Interesting Websites:  The Lightning Thief:
​http://rickriordan.com/book/the-lightning-thief/
http://rickriordan.com/series/percy-jackson-and-the-olympians/
Future Unit of Study
​Dragonwings Audiobook Files​​:
​ Click on the Chapter to listen:
Vocabulary Acquisition and Word Study Websites:

  • http://www.readingrockets.org/article/root-words-roots-and-affixes
  • http://www.vocabulary.co.il/root-words/
  • www.visuwords.com
  • www.vocabulary.com
  • http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/athens_games/game.htm
Additional Resources:
Spelling Websites: