Mr. Robert Darragh email:rdarragh@northbranfbrdschoois.org website: rdarragh.weebly.

com

Reading Strategies
NBHS Mission Statement: The mission of North Branford High School is to foster a strong learning community focused on excellence in academic rigor, school climate, and civic and social responsibility. Academic Expectations: North Branford High School students will effectively: Use literacy skills, including reading for knowledge and writing for purpose, to think critically and reason with evidence Apply concepts and skills to frame, analyze, and solve a range of increasingly complex problems Use technology responsibly to enhance inquiry, research, and communication

Language Arts Mission Statement: The English/Language Arts program in the North Branford School System will provide all students with the communication skills necessary to function effectively and intelligently as literate participants in a diverse and rapidly changing world. The curriculum will promote literacy, communication, and persona) growth through the integrated processes of reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, thinking, and enacting within a student-centered environment Course Description: The course is designed for students who would benefit from a small group and individualized approach that addresses such reading skills as word identification, comprehension and vocabulary. Course materials include high- interest fiction and non-fiction as well as content area texts, audio- visual materials, technology and writing activities to augment and improve critical thinking and literacy. Topics Covered: Essential Questions: How do we understand what we read? How does literature enrich our lives? How do we write, speak and present effectively? How do we use the English language appropriately to speak and write? Students will be responsible for completing specific assignments pertaining to reading. Content literacy will be stressed, with emphasis on English, History, and Science. Vocabulary development will be emphasized along with independent reading and writing skills. Materials needed for class: Three-ring binder with looseleaf, blue and or black pen, assignment pad GRADING POLICY: Grades are calculated each marking period based on categories: CATEGORY 1: Participation, Classwork, and Homework = 15% of your grade CATEGORY 2: Formative and Summative Assessments = 85% of your grade Point Values for each assignment will fall in the following ranges: Homework, classwork, participation 5-15 points each Formative assessments, quizzes 20-50 points each Although this class has no final exam, students are responsible on a daily basis for completing literacy tasks.

ATTENDANCE POLICY (Please reference in the Student Handbook; pgs. 13-18) 3 allowable absences (nine week course) More than ten minutes tardy to school/class result in a class cut; 3 cuts in the same class will result in a loss of credit Two unexcused tardies (10 minutes or less) to class shall constitute one absence.