P.

Clarke, Instructor
Dr. K. Wicks, Principal/Executive Director
T. James-Moss, Assistant Principal
Royal Live Oaks Academy
2016-2017 School Year

Course Name: English Language Arts

Notes from the Instructor:
This course seeks to build on the sets of skills students acquire in their previous
grades. Students will read and analyze pieces that include; fiction and non-fiction,
short stories, essays and articles, poetry, and drama. Grammar and Vocabulary
lessons will also be incorporated into the daily drills.
An exciting learning
experience is waiting to unfold this year, as technology will be incorporated and
utilized like never before! You can also expect to demonstrate mastery of the different

writing styles, demonstrate the rules of grammar, and the ability to express themselves orally.
Purpose of the Course
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the skills they will need for
college and to prepare them for life beyond school.
Class Rules
- Arrive on time for class each day.
- Raise your hand to speak.
- Respect every persons space and property, including ideas.
- Maximize your time on task.
- Encourage learning; do not be a distraction.
- Drinks and food products should be left out of the classroom.
- Keep your area clean and tidy.
Required Materials:
3 Composition notebooks
Loose Paper
Black Pens and Pencils
Handheld Pencil Sharpeners
Project Materials (On Supply List)

What Should You Expect To Do in Class?

Expect to:

Work cooperatively and independently

Read! Read! Read!
Stay on task and complete work in a timely manner

 Manipulate the tools of learning

Complete given assignments
Assignment Types (by Category)
Class Participation
- Activity
Involvement/Participati
on
- Oral Participation
-Attendance and
Punctuality

Enrichment/
Acceleration
- Home
Enrichment
(optional)
- Revision
through
Flocabulary
- IXL
- Extra Practice
Worksheet

Authentic
Assessment

Classwork
- Independent Work
Close Reading
Workshops
- Group Work
- Bi-weekly Quiz
- Kahoot.it
-Vocabulary Lab Days
on Friday
Assigned lessons
from text Pearson
Literature

Tests/Unit Tests
Notebook Check
Projects
Benchmark TE21

Additional Notes on Frequency of Quizzes/Tests:

- Bi-weekly Quiz- Tuesdays & Wednesdays
- Bi-monthly- Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday
Notebook checks Every Friday
What Should You Expect to Know When You Complete This Course?
You will be able to:
Identify literary elements in various pieces of literature
Write essays with well-developed thesis statements
Build on your knowledge of the traits of writing in your essays
Answer open response questions using evidence from the text to support
your reasoning
Build upon vocabulary through literature, discussion, spelling and word
study
Present research findings orally and confidently

Read a variety of literary works

Build academic, content, and roots and affixes vocabulary
Write objective summaries
Comprehend complex texts
Analyze arguments
Conduct Research
Compare texts
___________________________________________________________________________________
Contacting Your Instructor:

There are many ways to contact me both on campus and after school. Your options
include:
- Arranged Student-Teacher or Student-Teacher-Parent Meetings
- Google Voice: -- (Pending)
- Email: --- patricka.clarke@rloacs.org

Some Notes on Google Voice

I can be contacted at any time between the end of the school day and 6 p.m.
via my Google Voice number: ----. Through Google Voice,

You Can

But Remember

Text a question or concern about a

homework assignment, projects included

All text messages are automatically

stored and categorized by telephone
number, time and date

Have a parent call and ask about a

classroom concern

The phone may go to voicemail first and

the call will have to be returned

Leave a voice message about a question

or concern regarding homework, projects
included

All voice messages are automatically

stored and categorized by telephone
number, time and date

On some occasions you may be able to get immediate text responses from the
Google Voice line. Please remember, all messages (text or voice) are automatically
stored and categorized by telephone number, time and date.
Using Technology Successfully:
You must make prior arrangements with me, the principal and your parents or
guardians prior to bringing any electronic devices into the classroom. Tablet/laptop
use is acceptable if and only if:
- The principal approves your device use request
- Your parent/guardian signs a release form exempting the school and I from device
security
- You have a means to submit your class notes and all related work completed on
the tablet daily
- Your device is free of materials deemed inappropriate by school policy or
local/federal law
We will employ the use of technology a number of ways in support of the face-toface classroom:
Access the Class Website:
Lecture notes, specifics about active and completed assignments and even rubrics
will be found at this Web site. You can already access previous assignments at this

link for your review. Reviewing past assignments can be a handy way to improve
your pre-portfolio grade.
Web Address: http://rloacsclarke.weebly.com
___________________________________________________________________________________
Redemption Opportunities:
Under some circumstances, you can redo assignments that you fail. It is important
to note that:
- the highest grade you can have for a make-up is 80%

Portfolios (Binders) or Notebooks:

Your notebooks must be perfectly maintained and will be checked every Friday. Your
notebooks should be set us as follows:

-All pages where note taking begins should contain the basic header used in
ELA class.
Notes must be in your best handwriting and have header indicating what the
notes are about.
Vocabulary notebooks should contain the words from the vocabulary lessons
for that particular week.
Class/School Grading Policies

For Nine Weeks Grading

Authentic Assessments
Classwork
30%
Enrichment/Acceleration 20%
Participation
10%
For Semester Grading
Semester One Weights:
1st 9 Wks Grade
40%
nd
2 9 Wks Grade
40%
Midterm Exam
20%
Semester Two Weights:
3rd 9 Wks Grade
40%
th
4 9 Wks Grade
40%
Final Exam
20%
Final Grade:
Semester One

50%

40%

Semester Two

50%