Ms. Canepa’s Language Arts Class                                 538-0825, ext. 168                                    canepap@duvalschools.org

 
**Students, would you like extra credit?  Here are two ways:  A.  Log in to oddysey with your school username and password.  Complete your Reading Learning Path. Notify me when you're done.  B.  See me for a "Multicultural Reader." Read and complete it before mid January, and I will give you extra credit as well as allowing it to count towards your 25 book goal. (It will take several weeks to complete).


Course Overview, 6^th grade.  Followed by Class Library Policies, and Recommended Reading (scroll down with right arrow)
 
  

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year!  In Language Arts, we will be reinforcing students’ skills in Reading, Writing, Literature, Speaking, and Grammar/Language.  Following is a further description of my class.

Reading:  Students are expected to read at home nightly, and at least once a week in class.  They will keep a record of all books finished, and in addition, will summarize their reading once a week, giving details about their book.  Students will also be expected to respond to their reading in writing.

Supplies required everyday:  Students must bring a pocket folder, their binder with loose leaf paper inside, and a pencil or pen every day.  A composition book is also needed  for journal writing and reader’s response, which will stay in the classroom.

Daily Procedures:  Each day the student will come to class with his/her materials.  They will take their seat, and begin the opening activity.  This will often be bellwork or sourcebook journal writing.  Instructions for the opening activity will be on the board.   Afterward, we will transition to the lesson and the day’s work.

Classwork/Homework: Class work will be graded on a point basis.  It is a large part of the grade.  Homework will be due the last day of the week, unless otherwise instructed.  It will be written visibly on the board for students.  Students will use their planners as a communication tool for keeping track of homework, tests, and due dates.  Bell work will be graded periodically, and will be factored into the class work grade.

Grading:  Each summary of weekly reading is worth up to 60 points and may be completed at home or in class on Friday.  Daily classwork and homework will be worth  between 10-20 points, with bellwork between 5-15 points.   Essays, tests, and projects are worth 100 points.  Quizzes are worth 10-20 points .   Reading documentation is worth roughly 10% of each quarter grade.

 

Ms. Canepa’s Classroom Library Procedures

 

1.    You must bring something to read on reading days.  If you need something, raise your hand to get permission to browse at the bookshelf.  Remember, if you read and document 15 articles, it counts as one book on a summary.

2.    Once you find a book you want to check out, fill out the class library log, located on a clipboard next to or on the bookshelf.  Write down the date, your name, and the full title of the book.  You can take the book home, but must bring it in for Silent Reading days.  Try to return the book within two weeks.

3.    When done reading the book, be sure you write it down and write the summary in your reading folder before turning it in.   Then, return the book into the clear bin near the bookshelf. It is labeled “Classroom library returns here”.  Do not update the clipboard; either I or our class librarian will do that and will then return the book to the shelf.

4.    If you lose or damage one of my books, please replace it with the same title book or a similar book.  (Bring it to me for approval).  I will not accept money.  Enjoy my books, but handle them with care!

5.    Library passes will be issued no more than once in a two week period.  Students who abuse that privilege, by wasting their time in the library and returning without a book will not get any more library passes.  Students with a library pass must return within 20 minutes with a library book (or two).

Students have been made aware, in class, of these policies.

Recommended Reading

I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier –coming of age, mystery

Freaky Green Eyes by Joyce Carol Oates-book about women’s rights, from a girl’s viewpoint

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier –high school drama and competition

Tunes for Bears to Dance to by Robert Cormier –serious drama based in World War II era

Who Killed My Daughter?  by Lois Duncan  (true story)

The Summer of Fear by Lois Duncan (teen horror)

The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney -mystery

The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline Cooney-mystery

What Janie Found by Caroline Cooney

The Voice on the Radio by Caroline Cooney

Romiette and Julio

Barcode Tattoo by Susan Weyn -futuristic

Wayside School gets a Little Stranger by Louis Sachar  -humorous

The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick -futuristic

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick -humorous

Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Mathilda by Roald Dahl

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (sci-fi)

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli -humorous

Stargirl  -cute tale of teenage crushes

The Library Card by Jerry Spinelli -humorous

Chasing Vermeer by Balliett -mystery

Wright 3 by Balliett

Living up the Street by Gary Soto -humorous

Crazy Weekend by Gary Soto

Somewhere in Darkness by Walter Dean Myers- realistic

Muhammed Ali:  The Greatest by Walter Dean Myers

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers –book about war

Monster by Walter Dean Myers –realistic, innocent teen goes to jail

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

The Giver by Lois Lowry -futuristic

The Cay by Theodore Taylor -realistic

Timothy of the Cay by Theodore Taylor

The Weirdo by Theodore Taylor

The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau -futuristic

Flipped by Van Draanen -humorous

Check out Books by Paul Zindel (mostly humorous)

Surviving the Applewhites by Tolan -humorous

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred Taylor (black history)

Let the Circle be Unbroken by Mildred Taylor (black history) 

Are you a super-advanced reader?  Try books by John Grisham, Stephen King, Peter Straubb, Sherlock Holmes,  Alice Walker, George Orwell, Jack London, Mark Twain, and some of the other “classic fiction” such as Mary Shelley,  Daniel Keyes and Nathaniel Hawthorne.