Cheryl Gaca Email: [email protected]@mbvm.org Phone:815-933-7758.

Welcome to Mrs. Gacas Literature and Language Arts Classes

Welcome to Mrs. Gacas Literature and Language Arts ClassesCheryl GacaEmail: [email protected]:815-933-7758

Class ExpectationsRaise your handParticipate in class discussionsListen to othersShow your best work and attitudeTurn in your work on time

Accelerated ReaderEach child will meet with me to arrive at a goal to strive for each trimesterWhen the goal is met each trimester an A+ will be given in Literature as a test grade.Students can read above level, but not belowIf goal is not met, a percentage of the points accumulated will be given Ex. 10 pt. goal=only read 8=80% out of 100 points

6th Grade LiteratureStudents will: read four novels: The Giver, by Lois Lowry and Homecoming, by Cynthia Voigt, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, and Healing Hands by Gregg and Deborah Lewisread books at an individualized reading level using the Accelerated Reader Programread a book at any level based on the months themedefine a variety of roots, prefixes and suffixes and apply the information to gain meaning of unknown words in text as well as create new words.Use synonyms and antonyms to express meanings of wordsTransfer new vocabulary into other contextsIdentify and interpret idioms, similes, analogies, and metaphorsAnalyze words, vocabulary and context clues to determine meaningsUse other resources provided by the laptop to clarify meanings of wordsRecognize figurative language, description and dialogue in textidentify plot, setting, character, rising and falling actions, solutions, conflicts, foreshadowing, flashback and symbolism.use skimming to locate information.identify authors ideas and purposesDemonstrate reading strategies to use when comprehension is unclear. Make connections to real world situationsSummarize ideas to make inferences about character traits and motivationsEvaluate new information and hypotheses by comparing them to known information and ideasMake generalizationsConfirm, reject, and modify predictions based on information in the textExplain and interpret illustrationsInterpret information from tables, maps and chartsCompare the theme, topic,, and story elements of various storiesIdentify literary techniques Predict how a story may be different if the author changed a literary element or techniqueCite sources and develop a bibliographyIdentify and analyze primary and secondary sources

6th- 8th Grade Language ArtsStudents will:apply proper capitalization and punctuation to sentences with emphasis on commas, quotation marks, semicolonsidentify and use nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, coordinating and subordinating conjunctions prepositional phrases, dependent/independent clauseswrite using compound and complex sentences, and appropriate transition words/phrasesparticipate in and evaluate the writing processcreate a narrative, expository, persuasive, research and compare/contrast paper.become a published authorParticipate in the Illinois Literary Speech Contest

The Illinois Literary Speech ContestSave the date: October 29, 2011Held at Bourbonnais Upper Grade CenterUsually begins at 8:00 A.M.Finished usually around noonSpeeches should be memorized by Oct. 1stEveryone leaves with a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place ratingAwards are given out during school hours after contestExpectations for Speech ContestChurch clothes (no t-shirts, jeans, shorts, gym shoes, flip-flops)Everyone comes in the morning (usually around 7:45)Check in with either Mrs. Gaca or Mrs. DarlingVisit and cheer classmates onAfter your childs performance he/she may leaveWays to Help Practice lines with your child by role playing the other partSet goals for memorizing (2-3 lines a night)Set up practice dates between your child and his/her partner(s)Classrooms here are also available afterschool, just let us know ahead of time

Caught ya WorkStudents edit parts to a story checked in class (no grade)Each correction is explainedAfter every 5 spirals are collectedSpirals are graded on preciseness of correctionsQuiz after every 5Spiral is a cumulative study guide

Writing StrategiesNew classNo grades givenMeets once a weekStudents work on any writing assignment from any classOpportunity to get help from a teacher