Threads Language Arts

In Threads Language Arts class, fourth and fifth grade students develop an understanding of English grammar, practice weekly written composition, and have the opportunity to read and discuss literature with peers.

The class meets on Tuesday afternoons and is geared for students as well as their attending parent. Though it is not required, sitting in will allow the parent to assist his/her student in studying the material and completing the homework assignments outside of class. Whether or not the parent attends class, parental assistance will be essential throughout the week as the student studies material and completes homework assignments outside of class. Students of this age are still developing the executive functioning skills needed to manage the coursework and should not be expected to do so completely independently.

Language Arts will run for twelve weeks in the fall and twelve weeks in the spring, and will consist of the following three components:

1. English Grammar (45 Minutes):
• Students will learn English grammar concepts in a format that focuses on the parts of a sentence and how words function within a sentence. Our teachers will emphasize active engagement with grammar concepts through writing, listening, and speaking, so that students can master grammar concepts in order to communicate clearly. The at-home portion of the grammar work includes students hunting for and correcting errors in daily passages that cumulatively tell a story. Fix It! Grammar encourages students to immediately apply new grammar knowledge in context, aiding in the transfer of grammar skills into their own writing. The same worksheets will be used each year, but the assignments will differ: 4th Graders will focus on sentence analysis only while 5th Graders will also do sentence diagramming.
• Texts Used: IEW Fix It! Grammar. Threads Grammar CD and Song Guide.
2. Writing (45 Minutes):
• Students will grow as writers by preparing weekly compositions on a history-based topic. They will learn how to structure (organize) their writing and how to "dress it up" with the Institute of Excellence in Writing's (IEW) elements of style. Each week, the skills modeled by the teacher will build on previously presented skills. The compositions range from one paragraph at the beginning of the year to a final (multi-week) project of five paragraphs. The grading rubrics for IEW are precise and clear, and any student can write a high-scoring paper by attending to the requirements.
• Texts Used: IEW History-Based Writing Lessons (Ancient, Middle Ages or U.S. depending on the year – corresponding with Threads Primary time period) by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.
3. Literature Discussion (30 minutes):
• Students will be reading and discussing several works of literature. The literature selections are chosen to align with the historical period being studied and include fiction and non-fiction. Works may be set in the time period or a famous work written during it, but adaptations will be chosen at an appropriate level as needed. The goals of the literature discussion are to help students read and retain information to discuss, to practice discussing literature in a group, and to help deepen their understanding of the historical period being studied.
• Texts Used: Literature books will correspond with the Threads Primary time period and the IEW theme.

Please note: Threads follows a classical education style, and thus is patterned and leveled differently than public schools. Expectations for classroom behavior, material covered, teaching and homework are all intended to encourage and challenge students to give their best effort.
Questions? Email [email protected]
This information is subject to change before the start of the school year.