• What is Expert 21? 

     
    Expert 21 is a comprehensive English Language Arts curriculum that prepares students for the literacy demands of the 21st Century through a powerful combination of explicit instruction, inquiry-based learning, contemporary and relevant literature and informational texts, real-world writing and projects, and technology.
    Ever hear about that guy who cut off his own arm? We will read his story! Students will have daily opportunities to reflect, respond, react, inform, analyze and more, both in writing and through classroom discussions.

    Expert 21 is divided into themed workshops. We are using volume 2 and will work through workshops 5-8.

     
    Syllabus
     

    Workshop 5:

    Main Idea

    Sequence of Events
     
    Text Features

    Using Context Clues

    Author’s Purpose

    Grammar/ Writing Spelling

    Progress test 5a

    SRI (not for grade)

    Workshop 6:

    Problem/Solution
     
    Narrative
     
    Drama 

     Story Elements

    Making Inferences

    Cause and Effect

    Fables and Morals

    Author’s Style
     
    Grammar / Writing 

    Progress tests 5b,  6 a, 6b

    X-Skills Test 5 and 6

    Fictional Narrative

    Cause and Effect Essay

    SRI (not for grade)

    Workshop 7:

     Summarize

    Point of View
     
     Figurative Language
     
    Drawing Conclusions
     
    Grammar/ Writing 

    Progress tests 7a, 7b

    X-Skills Test 7

    Research Paper

    SRI (not for grade)

    Workshop 8:

    Fact and Opinion

    Compare and Contrast
     
    Elements of Poetry
     
    Symbolism
     
    Theme
     
    Cause and Effect
     
    Grammar / Writing 

    Progress tests 8a, 8b

    X-Skills Test 8

    SRI ( not for grade)

     

    Classwork/ Assignments/ Projects/ Tests

    Each day in class is so essential for your student! Most work will be done in class. Homework assignments will mainly consist of  reading and a mix of writing, grammar, vocabulary and spelling work.  Each student is expected to read independently each day. Your child will also write 4 main papers this school year, work on 2-3 projects, and be assessed in many ways to inform instruction.  More information regarding assignments, projects, papers, and tests will be provided as dates get closer.

    Literature Circles /  Novels

    In addition to the readings in Expert 21, we will explore several novels this year!
     
    ** We will switch from Literature Circles (with some choice) to individual reading books, to whole class novels throughout the year.
    THE GOAL IS TO READ AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND DEVELOP A LOVE OF READING!