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MYP English Language and Literature - Grade 6

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Instructors: 
Class Websites:
 
Summary:
Welcome to a new school year! We anticipate a challenging year of investigating, examining, exploring, sharing, and learning. Together, we will work towards achieving everyone’s personal best.
 
A key element of the English language and literature program is the appreciation of how language is fundamental to learning, thinking and communicating, and as such it permeates the whole curriculum. Reading, analytical and writing skills will be developed through a close study of literary and media texts and your own wide reading.
 
Units and topics:
 
Unit 1 – Pandora’s Box (Myths and Legends)
  • Reading myths and legends from various cultures
  • Using graphic organizers 
  • Identifying Elements of Literature
  • Writing a narrative of a new hero’s journey
  • Creative writing

Unit 2 – The Language Adventure

  • Reading the novel The Phantom Tollbooth
  • Language study: wordplay, idioms (figurative language)
  • Introducing parts of speech
  • Creative writing
Unit 3 – Old Traditions, New Frontiers
  • Reading a non-fiction book, The Immigrant Kids
  • Elements of Nonfiction
  • Formal and informal register
  • Writing a newspaper article
 Unit 4 – Poetry; Literature Circles
  • Identifying Literary Devices
  • Writing a Response to Literature
  • Identifying Elements of Literature
  • Discussing literary analysis in workshops
 
On-Going Outside Reading
Each quarter the students are required to read at least one novel. During the course of their reading, they will be completing a reading log in order to track their progress. Near the end of each quarter, students will be required to present their novels in a creative way. 
  • Q1 - Free choice
  • Q2 - Award-winning
  • Q3 -  Adventure
  • Q4 - Free choice
Aims:  As stated in the MYP Language and Literature guide, the aims of MYP Language and Literature are to encourage and enable students to
 
  • Use language as a vehicle for thought, creativity, reflection, learning, self- expression and social interaction
  • Develop the skills involved in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting in a variety of contexts
  • Develop critical, creative and personal approaches to studying and analysing literary and non-literary works
  • Engage in literature from a variety of cultures and representing different historical periods
  • Explore and analyse aspects of personal, host and other cultures through literary and non-literary works
  • Engage with information and communication technology in order to explore language
  • Develop a lifelong interest in reading widely
  • Apply language skills and knowledge in a variety of real-life contexts.

Assessment criteria:
Feedback on and final levels of achievement for assessments are based on four equally weighted assessment criteria 

  Assessment Criteria At the end of grade 6, students should be able to:
A
 Analyzing
  1. identify and comment upon significant aspects of texts
  2. identify and comment upon the creator’s choices
  3. justify opinions and ideas, using examples, explanations and terminology
  4. identify similarities and differences in features within and between texts.
B
 Organizing
  1. employ organizational structures that serve the context and intention
  2. organize opinions and ideas in a logical manner
  3. use referencing and formatting tools to create a presentation style suitable to the context and intention.
C
 Producing Text
  1. produce texts that demonstrate thought and imagination while exploring new perspectives and ideas arising from personal engagement with the creative process
  2. make stylistic choices in terms of linguistic, literary and visual devices, demonstrating awareness of impact on an audience
  3. select relevant details and examples to support ideas.
D
 Using Language
  1. use appropriate and varied vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression
  2. write and speak in an appropriate register and style
  3. use correct grammar, syntax and punctuation
  4. spell (alphabetic languages), write (character languages) and pronounce with accuracy
  5. use appropriate non-verbal communication techniques.
 
Required materials:
Please bring the following materials to every class:
  • Charged laptop
  • A4 Notebook with lined pages. This notebook must be used just for English class.
  • Folder - system for filing handouts 
  • Sharpened pencil(s), pen, glue stick or tape, scissors
  • A set of colored pencils and highlighters
  • Agenda
How to be successful:
 
Student Expectations
  1. Abide by the school rules (as outlined in the Student Handbook)
  2. Respect your classmates’ rights to learn
  3. Be considerate of others and the environment in everything you do
  4. Keep the classroom clean and tidy
  5. Be on time, turn your assignments in on time, and make up work that you have missed
  6. Bring your academic supplies daily: folder, notebook, pen/pencil, agenda, etc.
  7. Be an active learner – participate in class and in collaborative learning activities
  8. Academic honesty is expected of all students
     

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