Language Arts

Core Literature: 

Reading these entire books allow the students to discover excellent writing with high-level vocabulary which allows me to use concrete examples of metaphors, similes, personification, complex sentence structure, style, author's voice, etc. as well as a specific story to discuss the main structure:

Plot -  story structure, sequencing, cause/effect, defining conflict, rising action, resolution

Setting - descriptive details of place, how place affects the story

Character- development/change of character, insights into behavior, relationships, conflict/change, motivation

We will read 5 Core Lit books this year. I will have copies but feel free to purchase your own so your child may write notes in it, highlight vocabulary or writing examples, dog-ear favorite parts, etc.

The books we will read this year:

Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord - In 1947, the Year of the Boar, Sixth Cousin, also known as Bandit, leaves China with her parents for a new beginning in America.

Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone - the story of a young lad who goes from the streets of London to the wilds of Jamestown

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller - the story of a biracial girl, Lily, who learns about her heritage when her family moves in with Lily's Korean grandmother. 

Chains by Laurie Anderson - New York, 1776, through the perspective and harsh reality of a young slave girl

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson - a letter, an injustice, a mystery, a fortune for whoever solves the puzzle which is what we watch Candice and Brandon attempt to do!