Literacy Workshop Syllabus

Ms. Kim Allen

Room 207, Phone 565-3722 ex. 2156
Office Hours- 6
th
Period

Course Description: The 10
th
grade Literacy Workshop is an opportunity for students in English
2 to gain deeper background knowledge and vocabulary skills while receiving support with
reading, grammar, syntax, and the writing process. This is a collaborative course that will
supplement the novels read in English 2; additionally, we will read fiction and non-fiction texts
to increase reading skills, including comprehension and reading speed. Literacy Workshop will
help prepare students for success in English 2.

Colorado State Standards to be addressed in Literacy Workshop: Reading Literature,
Reading Informational Texts, and Writing. Students will be able to cite strong and thorough
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text (RL/RIT 10.1), determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text (RL/RIT 10.2), and determine the meaning of words and
phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings (RL/RIT
10.4). In conjunction with English 2, students will write informative/explanatory texts to
examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the
selection, organization, and analysis of content (W 10.2), develop and strengthen writing as
needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach with a focus on
purpose and audience (W 10.5), and draw evidence from literary or informational texts to
support analysis, reflection, and research (W 10.9). Other Reading Standards will be covered in
English 2.

Literacy Workshop Curriculum:
Reading
Students will read a variety of texts, both in-class and independently, throughout the year,
including novels read in English 2. We will be reading both fiction and informational texts, such
as novels, poems, short stories, journal articles, letters, and speeches.
Writing
In conjunction with English 2, we will be focusing on the writing requirements for the
English Portfolio (a personal narrative, persuasive essay, descriptive essay, and expository
researched-based essay). In addition, students will be writing informal journal entries and
responses to the readings.
Vocabulary
Students will keep a vocabulary chart throughout the year in order to increase vocabulary
skills and reading comprehension.
Grammar
Students will gain experience with identifying subject, predicate, verbs, direct and
indirect objects, phrases, and clauses through the Four-Level Analysis method of diagraming
sentences.

Grading Scale:
A 90%-100%, B 80%-89%, C 70%-79%, D 66%-69%, F 65% or lower