This course will focus on literary and informational texts.  Students will look at what the texts say explicitly and inferentially.  They will use that information to cite thorough evidence to support their analysis.  Throughout the course, we will examine theme and the details used to develop the theme.  

	Students will also analyze complex characters - how they develop over the course of the text and their interaction with others.  They will look at how the complex character advance the plot and contribute to the theme.  

	In addition, the students will examine the author’s use of words and phrases and how that author incorporates figurative and connotative language in the text.  Also, they will identify the author’s purpose and analyze how the author uses tone to indicate time and place.  Students will interpret the use of imagery in the text.  

          Students will analyze how a character's point of view incorporates a cultural experience.  Students will look at the different effects the structure of the texts creates.  For example, does the structure create tension, mystery, surprise? 

          Students will determine the central idea of informational text and describe how the author introduces and develops the central idea through the course of the text.  

          My work ethic dictates  how I teach.  I believe every student can learn, and therefore, I teach with that concept in mind. Because students learn differently, it is important that I teach the lessons using  various strategies. Some students are visual learners; others are auditory learners. My lessons, then, would utilize many approaches  to reach all learners. In any classroom, the speed at which students grasp information will vary. Some students will learn more quickly, while others may take more time. This is where practice and scaffolding come in. I will also be implementing these procedures throughout my teachings.