MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SYLLABUS, 2010-2011

6^th GRADE BEGINNING/Low INTERMEDIATE ESL     

Vicky Nelson

Room M-4

School Phone: 2688-8854

Email:  vnelson@aes.ac.in         

Course Description:

This course of English is based upon the main skill areas of language development: speaking, listening, reading and writing.  While a balance of skills is aimed for, the program is flexible and reflects the student’s individual language needs.  Students in this class will have the opportunity to move freely from beginning to intermediate levels in all of the skill areas.  It also introduces the student to different learning styles and strategies, and gives encouragement to become an independent learner and user of English.

Course Aims:

To allow students to:

• Develop basic skills in spoken and written English
• acquire and refine the language skills necessary to move into ESL Intermediate classes and participate in their regular mainstream classes
• develop the confidence and attitude necessary to participate in classroom activities and work in groups
• develop an understanding of the diversity at AES with emphasis on tolerance and appreciation of other cultures
• become socially and linguistically integrated into AES

Skills Covered:

• Speaking – oral reading, pronunciation, enunciation, inflection, stress, simple conversations, and group reading, and individual presentations.
• Reading – word recognition, vocabulary building, word attack skills, context clues, sequence of events, following directions, understanding of basic story elements.
• Writing – spelling, simple sentences structures, present tense, agreement of subjects and verbs, punctuation, using the writing process, developing paragraphs, story endings, factual information, cursive writing.
• Listening – following directions, consonant/vowel sounds, dictation, oral reading.

Concepts Covered:

Wherever appropriate the receptive skills of listening and reading and the productive skills of speaking and writing, will focus on the mainstream Humanities curriculum as follows:

Indian Studies Integration:

In addition to India related topics already covered in the curriculum, students will:

• Study Indian myths and legends
• Participate in various activities to orient them to India

Assessment of Student Performance:

Assessment will be based on regular homework assignments, classroom participation, projects, portfolios, tests, and quizzes, in the areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

Students will be assessed using the Language Assessment Scales ORAL and Reading/Writing English proficiency test once a year.

The San Diego Quick Vocabulary Assessment

The Grey Oral Reading Assessment

The Gates MacGinitie Reading Assessment

Methodology:

Classes will be conducted using a variety of methodologies.  These will include teacher demonstration, group work, guided discovery activities, audio/visual materials, role-playing, cooperative learning activities, art, silent and oral reading, technology integration, student presentations and games.

Texts and Materials:

Write Source 2000

Begin in English

Handwriting books

Various short stories, plays, poems and myths

Library Reference

Library fiction books

Internet Research Sources

CD Rom Research Sources

Caps, commas, and other things

Inspiration

6+1 Writing Traits

Pronunciation Pairs

Grading Policy:

Progress will be reported using the following codes for beginning students:

NP = Not Progressing

MP – Minimal progress 

PR – Progressing

OP – Outstanding Progress

Students will also receive a written statement at least twice a year which will specify the individual progress being made.

When students reach full intermediate status, quarter grades will determined by a point system that will assess the following areas: projects, essays, book reports, oral presentations, tests, quizzes, homework and class participation.

These students will then receive a letter grade for ESL, but this does not correlate to a mainstream Humanities grade.  Detailed explanation of student’s progress will be given at least twice a year.

Grading percentages outlined on pages 17 & 18 of the Middle School Handbook will be followed.

Additional Expectations (including student supplies needed):

Student supplies needed:

1. Binder with dividers
2. Loose leaf paper
3. Pencils (NO MECHANICAL PENCILS PLEASE) /Pens/Highlighters
4. Spiral Notebook
5. English/native language pocket dictionary (electronic is acceptable)
6. Collins Cobuild Learners Dictionary (available locally) for home use.