Language Arts

Social Studies Class Description-AP Historty Syllabus

The focus of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to learn about World Civilizations. The topics we will cover include: The River Valley Civilizations, The Americas, Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, ending with early expansion into the Americas.  Students will investigate the causes of permanent society and explore evolving civilizations.  Additionally students will trace the rise civilization, specific economic systems, examine how the geography of the area influenced the civilizations’ development, and explore how the specific civilizations emerged as unique cultures.

In addition we will connect our class to what is going on in the world through the use of current events assignments.  Current events assignments are designed to have students find a newspaper article about any current event and make connections between the event and their world.  New archeological and historical discoveries are constantly being made. These new discoveries often change what we thought we knew about people and history.  Students will also be given content area reading assignments.  Students should complete the reading and then answer any questions or complete any activities that accompany the reading.  .  Students will never have more than one of these large assignments given to them in a week.

Course Outline

Language Arts Class Description

It is my goal that throughout the course of this year, you will learn to become a better reader and writer.  Along with frequent in class reading, from various text books and sources, independent reading opportunities will be assigned typically every quarter.  In addition to this, we will also be reading and analyzing some novels together as a class.  Students will be expected to always have reading material with them.  Our scheduled library days will assist in this matter.

In addition to becoming a better reader, it is my hope that you will also become a more developed and effective writer.  This year we will work on many different writing pieces.  Students will be given many opportunities for writing during the year, in both this class and their other core classes.  This year we will be writing many pieces, including: memoirs, persuasive letters, short stories, poems, and personal narratives.  Ample amounts of class time will be allocated for all five steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.

Lastly all other aspects of Language Arts will be highly emphasized.  Grammar lessons will take place throughout the year in the form of bell work, writing exercises, and other lessons based on difficulties students might be having.  Vocabulary lessons will also be implemented throughout the year.  The vocabulary words will be used in context, and will help students become more familiar with Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes.  Reading comprehension will also be worked on through the reading of various forms of writing passages.  Sometimes students will be assigned Home Reading Packets to help with this aspect of language arts.

Course Outline-Also in student agenda and the syllabus assignement.