Language Arts
Grade 6
​Mrs. Yialias

​

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
Current Unit: 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 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. As a whole class, 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.
​
PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES PROVIDED BELOW (AUDIO LINKS and WEBSITES)

HOMEWORK:
Week of May 20:
Daily Homework: Complete Root Words Packet # 3

Week of May 13:
Daily Homework:
Work on the Independent Word Tree Project.
Follow the directions in the packet.
Consult the dictionary to define the words.
Project due by Monday, May 20

May 10, 2019
Independent Word Tree Project due by Monday, May 20.
Follow the Project Directions as outlined in the packet; all parts of the project (graphic organizer with definitions, word web, and the Word Tree) must be completed and submitted by May 20.

May 3, 2019: 
​Chapters 20-21: due by Tuesday, May 7.
Read/Annotate/Respond in the Reading Guide.
Chapter 22: Read/Annotate/Respond in the Reading Guide (due by Thursday, May 9)
*Completed Reading Guides and Reader's Notebooks will be collected on Thursday, May 9.*

April 15, 2019 due by Thursday, April 18.
Read Annotate Chapter 19
​Answer Reading Guide Questions as follows:
  • pages 300-307 Questions 1-3
  • pages 307-310 Questions 4-6
  • Questions 7-10
Chapter 19 due on Thursday
(Reading Guide Chapter 19 and Reader's Notebook Chapter 19 are due by Thursday.)

April 12, 2019
All Classes:
Complete reading/annotating Chapter 18 
Reading Guide Questions 8-10
This week's Independent Reader's Notebook Responses: Chapter 17, 18 
Chapter 18 is due by Monday, April 15.

April 9, 2019
1.Complete  Reading/annotating Chapter 17
2. Complete Chapter 17 Questions in the Reading Guide by Wednesday, April 10.
             OR:
3.  Read/Annotate Chapter 18 
4. Reading Guide Questions 5-7
This week's Independent Reader's Notebook Responses: Chapter 17, 18 

April 8, 2019
1. Read/annotate Chapter 17
2. Complete Chapter 17 Questions in the Reading Guide  by Wednesday, April 10.
(If you have already completed Chapter 17, you may go on to Chapter 18:
Read/annotate Chapter 18 pages 283-291
Reading Guide chapter 18 Questions 1-4
This week's Independent Reader's Notebook Responses: Chapter 17,18 
________________________________________________

Ongoing Objectives:
We are building and enriching our Literacy Skills:
Reading and Comprehending Complex Text
Informational Articles:
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
____________________________________________________
​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 Short Constructed Responses
Welcome September 2018 Grade 6 Students!
English Language Arts Supply List:​ ​(No Binder Needed)
❏ 6 ​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
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:
​
        - 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/
http://rickriordan.com/book/the-lightning-thief/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15872.Rick_Riordan
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: