Welcome to 6th Grade Language Arts Class
LEUSD Course Description: Language Arts 6 will expand reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in alignment with Common Core State Standards. In addition, this course will provide extensive development of the writing process; critical literary response and analysis skills, cross-curricular study; and an introduction to the Modern Language Association (MLA) writing format. This course will use WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) strategies, including Socratic Seminars, Philosophical Chairs, close reading, and other strategies that promote rigor in order to support the College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards.
Literature:
Semester 1:
Boy of the Painted Cave by Justin Denzel EQ: Do you think people who are "different" should be forced to conform to society's norms? Is it difficult to stand up for what we believe to be right and just? Why? Themes & topics to explore: rebellion, disabilities, outcasts, loneliness, orphans, passion, talent, dreams. Boy of the Painted Cave Objective: In the novel, the main character is an outcast with a disability, but he refuses to conform to society's norms which in the end makes him stronger and successful. Some questions students will answer include: What are social norms? What are some social norms of other cultures? What are our social norms in America and at our school? Who are some influential people who have questioned society's norms? We will touch on many topics that have to do with being different. Students will research "rebels" of society such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus, Gandhi, Helen Keller, Pancho Villa, etc. Students will consider the following questions: what makes someone a rebel? Is it okay to rebel against social norms? When is it not okay? They will compare and contrast these famous rebels of history to the main character in the story. The students will engage in discourse that goes beyond the obvious theme which is "follow your dreams." In the end, by examining differences in people, students will evaluate whether or not it is acceptable to question society's expectations for someone based on generalizations and stereotypes. I will be integrating subject matter during this unit. Therefore, while students learn about the Stone Age in Social Studies, they will be reading this fictional story that is set in that time period. Writing &Technology Assignments: Rebels Throughout History Media Presentation Response to Literature Essay |
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Semester 2: Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan EQ: Why are some decisions harder to make than others? What are the consequences and rewards of decisions we make? Themes & topics to explore: decisions that matter, homelessness, traditions and customs, women's role, gender inequality, women and education, dreams/hopes and perseverance Homeless Bird Objective: This novel is about a young girl who lives in India. She is only 13 and arranged to be married. Unfortunately her new husband dies, which makes her a widow. Students will learn through this novel how conservative Hindus perceive widows. Students will reflect on this treatment and answer the following question: should people intervene and tell Hindus that it is wrong to mistreat the widows or should people respect their religious beliefs and customs? (There will be no correct answer. Students are required to practice listening skills, empathy, and promote diversity) During this unit, I will be integrating subject matter. The 6th grade Social Studies standards require students to study Ancient India's political, religious, social, economical, and geographical structures. This novel will strengthen their understanding of not just ancient India but modern India as well. Students will discuss the importance of decision-making. Students will engage in discourse that answer questions such as: What determines the decisions we make? Do our decisions reap rewards or consequences? *Advanced Course Only: In the end, students will have a group project where they will examine worldly problems whether it is a social problem, religious problem, geographical problem or economical problem. After they identify a problem they are interested in solving, they will devise a proposal on how to solve this problem by creating a mock non-profit organization. Writing &Technology Assignments: Memoir or Biography Homeless Bird Mini Research Presentations Response to Literature Essay Resources: http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-homeless-bird/#gsc.tab=0 https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/homeless-bird/ |