Paramus High School s3

PARAMUS HIGH SCHOOL PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY

DEPT: English DATE: January 2004

COURSE: Language Arts Literacy Lab

LEVEL: 9, 10, 11, Half Year 2 ½ Credits

PREREQUISITE: Not proficient on the GEPA and/or Pre-HSPA assessment or the inability to test out of Language Lab using multiple measures.

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In Language Arts Literacy Lab, concentrated reading and writing skills are taught to 9th, 10th, and 11th, graders who have the need for compensatory education in reading as identified by the GEPA and/or Pre-HSPA or other standardized test scores. Instruction stresses the proficiencies that are expected of every student for the fulfillment of course requirements. Each remediation class is limited in size and meets daily for one semester. Reading needs are diagnosed, and then corrective instruction proceeds on the basis of individual need and ability.

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

NEW JERSEY CORE CURRICULUM CONTENT STANDARDS: 3.1.A,C,D1-3,E1-3;F2- 3,G1,G6-13,H1,3,6.3.2A2-5,7,B3,B9-10,C1-2,C3,C4-5,C7,D1-2,D5-73.3B4-5,3.4A1,B1,B3, 3.5 A1-2,C2

Students will:

A. gain some insight into the nature of their own reading and writing deficiencies

B. develop an appreciation for their own unique strengths and abilities in reading and writing

C. perceive reading and writing improvement as a part of a lifelong development process in language facility

D. learn procedures for continuing to develop reading and writing skill beyond in-class instruction E. develop skill for the specific reading and writing tasks associated with satisfying graduation requirements

F. discover reading and writing as alternative recreational activities

G. realize the potential for using reading and writing in self-education and self-improvement.

III. MAJOR CONCEPTS AND TOPICS:

A. Exposition

1. Topic sentence 2. Method of development a. Examples b. Chronology c. Reasons d. Comparisons and contrasts 3. Transitional words 4. Author's purpose

B. The Short Story 1. Central conflict 2. Point of view 3. Theme 4. Setting 5. Plot 6. Irony 7. Character motivation

C. Study Skills and Critical Thinking 1. Propaganda devices 2. Conclusions 3. Implications 4. Bias 5. Test-taking strategies

IV. STUDENT SKILL OBJECTIVES:

A. Given pairs of contrasting editorials on the same topic, the student will summarize the one which more closely agrees with his own point of view. B. Given a series of statements of facts and opinions, the student will identify correctly facts and opinions.

C. Given a list of true statements taken from a non-fiction selection, the student will identify which are restated from the selection and those which are implied.

D. Given a set of sequential directions describing the dismantling and reassembling of a simple mechanical device, the student will perform the required task to the standard established by the teacher.

E. Given items from sample standardized reading tests, the student will identify the following types of questions: 1. Drawing a conclusion 2. Restatement of a given fact 3. Summarizing 4. Vocabulary from context

F. Given a paragraph, the student will demonstrate the ability to recall facts in order to answer pertinent questions

G. Given common words, each having at least three variant meanings, the student will find the words in a suitable dictionary and write three sentences for each of the words indicating their variant meanings.

H. Given a list of common figures of speech, the student will paraphrase them in literal language.

I. Given appropriate non-fiction selections, the student will determine which of the following phrases best describes the author's purpose in each of the paragraphs.

1. To entertain 2. To instruct 3. To inform

J. Given appropriate paragraphs whose sentences are in scrambled order, the student will select correctly the topic sentence in the paragraphs.

V. EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

A. Teacher-made tests E. Class participation B. Criterion reference tests F. Attendance C. Oral tests G. Pre- andpost-tests (standardized) D. Successful compilation of a H. Completion of assigned tasks personal vocabulary list

VI. SUGGESTED MATERIALS:

A. Workbooks E. Newspaper articles B. Ditto sheets F. Magazines C. Teacher-made materials G. Crossword puzzles D. Short stories H. Vocabulary lists

English 2004