English Foundations 2

This comprehensive class seeks to prepare middle school students for high school English. An advantage of any outside English class is having someone other than “Mom” to review/grade the student’s compositions. Class interaction with the other students will also enhance the class.

Students will:

• Apply the steps of the writing process and effective traits of writing to their own compositions, as well as understand the purpose and audience of each writing assignment.
• Write “warm-up” paragraphs to increase confidence in writing.
• Write multi-paragraph essays covering the four types of writing: descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive, using teacher review to improve each composition.
• Write a short story (either autobiographical or imaginative).
• Prepare and present an informative or persuasive speech.
• Demonstrate an understanding of English grammar, including punctuation, mechanics, spelling, sentence structure, and parts of speech.
• Review the basic elements of literature (setting, character, plot, point of view, conflict, and theme), preparing a creative project with definitions and examples for each term.
• Identify techniques of literature such as irony, symbolism, and figures of speech, including allusion, idioms, synecdoche, and understatement.
• Review different genres of writing and discuss their differences, as well as read short stories and novels in various genres.
• Improve their reading comprehension through thought-provoking questions and discussion of the novels read together.
• Identify the sounds and techniques used in poetry, prepare a poetry presentation, and write several of his/her own poems.
• Learn new vocabulary words in context in the novels read together.
• Learn new vocabulary words through the Wordly Wise curriculum.

Mrs. Loran is available for an additional hour each week to assist students with writing, grammar, and literary skills. Students must register separately to participate in this extra learning opportunity. See Language Arts Lab for English Foundations 2 for details and to register.

Course Structure

We will systematically work through the writing process focusing on the six Writing Traits and the specific conventions for each of the following writing types: descriptive, narrative, expository and persuasive. By structuring each of the new writing types in this manner, students will learn an effective process for successful writing.

Who should enroll?

This class is open to all 6^th — 8^th graders who would like a structured, formal English class.

Technology Requirements

• High speed, broadband Internet
• Headset and microphone (for live sessions)
• Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
• Microsoft Word and Power Point is extremely helpful. If using a different word processing program, the document should be saved or exported as a pdf in order to submit it on Canvas.

Evaluation and Feedback

Student’s writing assignments will receive much feedback prior to being graded according to a rubric featuring the effective traits of writing. Grammar and vocabulary exercises are usually graded automatically by Canvas. Literature questions are graded based on effort. Students in English Foundations 2 take both grammar quizzes and regular tests on literature terms and writing concepts.

Communication

Parents are welcome to contact me via email with questions before registering, but it is not necessary before enrolling a student. Once I know a student has registered, the family will receive a welcome packet with additional information about the course. I will contact parents if there is a concern that a student is not keeping up with the work or frequently turning in late assignments.