East-West Sylvan

The writing curriculum is structured around a process approach, with particular emphasis placed on revision and editing. Students will have practice in four modes of writing: narrative, expository, persuasive, and imaginary. Writing is evaluated on the basis of specific traits: ideas and content, organization, sentence fluency, word choice, voice and conventions.

Opportunities to develop listening and speaking skills are available through large and small group discussions, presentations, interviews and speeches.

Evaluation:

Evaluation of student work is based on objective tests, daily assignments, projects and essays. Assessment is consistent with Oregon scoring guides for writing, reading and speaking.

Late Assignments:

Handing in assignments on time is essential for a productive classroom environment. It is imperative that students come to class prepared, as the lessons are usually based on the work they've completed previously. For example, a lesson today on revising your poetry had little meaning for students who had no writing to revise...

Late assignments will drop a full letter grade for each day that the assignment is overdue.

Extra Credit:

Occasionally students will be given opportunities for extra-credit assignments. These may consist of more challenging extensions of the curriculum. However, extra credit is never a way to replace assignments or boost grades dramatically at the last minute.

This is a course about American history from the colonial to the late nineteenth century. A rough outline of the topics covered include:

Topics:

• Colonial America
• American Revolution
• Formation of our Constitution
• Origins of American government and political parties
• Westward Expansion
• Conflict with Native Americans
• Early reform movements
• Background to regional conflict
• Civil War And Reconstruction
• Segregation and Civil Rights
• Industrialization
• Immigration
• Later reform movements

Themes:

A focus will be placed on certain important themes that recur throughout history.

Textbook:

Our text, History Alive, which provides both interesting and challenging social studies material, was published in 2005. We think it provides both interesting and challenging text material. Please see that your students cover their books and treat them well.

Current Events:

A major goal is to give students the knowledge and skills to enable them to intelligently discuss and reach decisions on public issues. Students will be encouraged to pay attention to the news. We will touch on current events nearly every day and an attempt will be made to find relationships between current events and the past. Each Friday four students in each block will present current events.

Homework:

Homework assignments will be given several times a week. Assignments will often involve reading from the text and completing a process assignment to increase understanding of the material. Essays, projects, finding relevant current events, reviewing for tests or quizzes, will also make up part of the homework.

Teaching and Learning Links:

United States Map Games - Practice for the tests.