This course focuses on two main areas of literacy:
 reading and writing.  Students will read for deeper meaning, inference, author’s purpose and theme.  Students will write a variety of short stories, essays, articles and literary analysis pieces. The goal is to engage with the written word on a variety of levels, thus strengthening the student’s overall literacy power.

Grading Weights
Tests/Quizzes: 35% of the total grade        
Homework: 10% of the total grade        
Classwork: 30% of the total grade        
Projects: 20% of the total grade            
Presentations: 5% of the total grade
In the past, I have been incredibly strict about due dates and work expectations.  There will be some mindset shifts about this as we begin our year.  As I develop new ways to assess the students, I will keep you informed. My goal is to equitably assess students’ knowledge and learning around our academic standards versus assessing behaviors.           

​Projects
There will be on-going literary projects throughout the year.  I feel that projects are an innovative way for students to engage with literature, and they teach the ever-valuable skill of time management!  The project expectations will be discussed in class as will the suggestions for time management while completing projects.  All projects will be presented.  There is one project per grading period.  Project parameters will always be communicated with parents and will require a parent signature confirming everyone is on-board for project expectations.