E121-122 Syllabus- 2014-15

Ms. OBrien

Period 3 & 4- Room

216
Course Information
The objective of this course is to learn the ESL Level 3 critical learning standards in listening, speaking, reading, and
writing. By the end of the year, students will be able to show proficiency in all critical learning standards in all
language domains.
What are critical
learning standards?

Critical learning standards are the essential skills that Level 3 English Language
Learners will demonstrate by the end of the academic school year.

What are learning

targets?

Learning targets are specific skills that students will learn to promote mastery of the
critical learning standards for each language domain (listening, speaking, reading, and
writing).

Listening

Understand and
process spoken
language in
multiple contexts.

Speaking

Verbally express,
discuss and present.

Reading
Students will be able to
comprehend
non-fiction and fiction
texts at appropriate
reading levels.

Writing
Write a three paragraph
essay with a topic
sentence, supporting
details, and a conclusion.

*Evaluate information
in social and academic
conversations
*Distinguish main
ideas from supporting
points in oral, contentrelated discourse
*Use learning
strategies described
orally
*Categorize contentbased examples
described orally

*Share opinions, concepts,

personal experiences,
current events with verb
tense consistency and
specialized vocabulary

Elements of Literature
*Plot (conflict, climax,
resolution)
*Theme
*Author's purpose

Focus on topic

*Discuss elements and

personal connections with
reading selections

Reading Comprehension
Strategies

Writing production
*Write an introduction
paragraph with a thesis
statement
*Write a body paragraph
with a topic sentence and
relevant details
*Write a conclusion
paragraph
*Use appropriate transition
words
*Recognize and correct runons and sentence fragments

* Recall information
*Summarize text
*Predict
*Use context clues for
defining vocabulary
*Develop academic
vocabulary through reading
fiction and non-fiction
Word/Level Vocabulary
*Identify antonyms,
synonyms, homonyms
*Use context clues for
defining vocabulary
*Develop academic
vocabulary through reading
fiction and non-fiction

Class Grade Criteria

Students earn their grade based on the following criteria:
40% Practice
60% Proficiency
ESL Rubric Grading Scale

*Understand the prompt

*Identify and use
appropriate evidence

Conventions: (Grammar/
Punctuation/ Formatting/
Spelling)
* Use perfect tenses
*Use commas
*Use possessives

Learning Target Proficiency

Mark

Passing

A+

Yes

ADVANCED- Meets all expectations

without making mistakes

Yes

MEETS- Meets expectations with some

mistakes

Yes

BASIC- Meets expectations with some

mistakes, but needs help

Yes

BELOW BASIC- Meets few expectations,

needs help to show learning

Yes

NO CREDIT- Does not produce

No

EXCEEDS- Exceeds expectations; shows

many connections that were not taught

Materials
Everyday, students should be prepared for class with their materials.
iPad
Pencil, pen, eraser
Free reading book
Homework
Classroom Expectations
In this class, ALL students will:
Respect yourself, others and our school.
Learn English and help others learn.
Be responsible: Be on time and be prepared for class.
Engage and participate in class: No cellphones or other electronics not for class.
Try your best and have fun!
Contact Information
Email: bobrien@d211.org
Phone number: 847-755-3725
Twitter- @Ms_ObrienESL