English Language Arts 2 (Grade 5-6)

Welcome to 56 Language Arts – Fall 2026 - Spring 2027

In this class, we will explore the craft and art form of the English language through reading, writing, grammar study, and critical thinking. This course is designed to help students strengthen their reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, writing, and literary analysis skills while developing an appreciation for quality literature. Throughout the year, students will read a variety of classic and enduring works representing multiple genres, including realistic fiction, fantasy, adventure literature, and narrative nonfiction. This class is designed to assist parents in meeting California CORE standards for language arts. 

Students will engage in class discussions, reading comprehension activities, vocabulary development, grammar instruction, and structured writing assignments aligned with California CORE standards. Writing instruction will focus on paragraph structure, sentence fluency, descriptive writing, literary response writing, and introductory essay organization. Students will also begin learning how to properly format academic papers using a modified “MLA Lite” format appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students.

Recommended Grading

As an enrichment facilitator, I do not assign official grades to students. Your student’s final grade for the school year will be determined by you and/or your child’s assigned charter teacher. However, I will provide recommended grades for student work and overall performance throughout the year. Grades can be accessed by creating a parent account to observe your child’s progress in Canvas. Recommended grades will be given as a percentage based on work completed, attendance, and participation.

Homework and Short Assignments

Homework will consist of a combination of classroom handouts and weekly assignments from the grade-appropriate Spectrum Language Arts workbook. Families should plan to purchase the appropriate workbook before the start of the school year. Each quarter, students will also complete a larger writing or literature-based assignment connected to the themes and skills of the current unit. Full assignment details will be sent home with students and posted on Canvas. 

Quizzes

Weekly quizzes will be given on Tuesdays to assess reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, and understanding of classroom learning concepts related to the current novel and unit.

Quarterly Reading List and Major Writing Focus

Q1 – Realistic Fiction - Old Yeller – Personal Narrative and Descriptive Writing

Q2 – Fantasy and Allegory - The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe – Theme Analysis

Q3 – Narrative Nonfiction - A Night to Remember – Research and historical Writing 

Q4 – Adventure Literature - Swiss Family Robinson – Informational Writing

Required Texts

Students must bring their texts to class. However, students only need to bring the book for the current quarter being studied. There is no need to carry all four books throughout the year. Please use the ISBN numbers below when ordering texts for class. Please check with me before using alternate editions.

Q1 – Old Yeller – ISBN 978-0064403825

Q2 – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – ISBN 978-0064471046

Q3 – A Night to Remember – ISBN 978-0805077643

Q4 – Swiss Family Robinson – ISBN 978-0141325309

Additionally, students are required to purchase and bring the grade-appropriate Spectrum Language Arts workbook:

5th Grade Spectrum Language Arts – ISBN 978-1483871394

6th Grade Spectrum Language Arts – ISBN 978-1483871400

Attendance

As we only meet two times weekly, attendance is incredibly important for students to remain on pace in this course. Students may miss up to 4 classes per semester without a negative impact on their grades. Beyond that, attendance grades will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Student Engagement and Participation

Throughout the year, students will participate in class discussions, reading activities, writing workshops, and collaborative classroom exercises. Extra credit points may occasionally be earned through excellence, leadership, bringing their book, and classroom participation.

Canvas Online Learning Platform

For this class, I use the Canvas learning platform primarily as a grade book, attendance tracker, and backup resource in case students lose a handout or need clarification on assignments. All students should enroll in the course on Canvas. However, families only need to interact with Canvas as much as needed for their individual situation.

Canvas enrollment information will be provided before the start of the school year.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or need to reach out, here is my contact information:

Thomas Hartung                  Cell: (916) 532-3312           Email: [email protected]