Email:  tgolec@materdolorosaschool.org

This Fall in Mr. Golec’s ELA

This Fall, I’ll be teaching four different English Language Arts (ELA) classes, each with a unique curriculum tailored to the specific developmental needs of the students. My goal is to foster a love of reading and a mastery of communication skills, with all units and lesson plans aligned with Massachusetts State Standards.

ELA 5:  The Secret Garden

In fifth grade ELA, we’ll dive into Frances Hodgsen Burnett’s classic novel, The Secret Garden.  Our main focus will be on fostering independent thinking and writing skills. Students will use the Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop (Level Blue) to expand their lexicon and will be encouraged to read and produce written work independently.  The ultimate goal is to build a strong foundation in literacy and communication, empowering students to express their ideas with confidence.

ELA 6:  A Wrinkle in Time

Sixth- grade ELA will journey through Madeleine L’Engel’s Newberry-winning novel, A Wrinkle in Time. This year, we’ll focus on the fundamentals of literary analysis.  Students will learn to critically analyze characters and understand the elements of plot.  Using the Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop Achieve (Level A), they will begin to construct longer forms of writing.  Students will be challenged to read 8+ pages a night, preparing them for the demands of more complex literature.

ELA 7:  Catholic Gothic Ghost Stories

Our seventh-grade ELA class will explore the rich tradition of “ghost” stories, with a focus on tales that incorporate Catholic themes.  We’ll start with Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and then move onto stories from authors like J.S. Le Fanu, M.R. James, and R.H. Benson, including The Treasure of Abbott Thomas, and The Light Invisible.  Using the Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop Achieve (Level B), students will learn to articulate complex ideas and expand their creative thought.  We’ll focus on developing perspective, and the ability to discuss a wide range of subjects, preparing them to engage with literature on a deeper, more thematic level.

ELA 8:  Grimm’s Fairy Tales

In eighth grade ELA, we’ll explore the enduring legacy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.  This unit will examine the impact of traditional storytelling on literature and culture, uncovering the archetypes and moral lessons that have shaped western society.  We will use the Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop Achieve (Level C), to significantly expand both their reading and writing abilities.  The goal for this year is to prepare students for the academic rigor of high school by equipping them with the strong literacy skills needed to handle an increased workload.