Reidsville Middle School2014 – 2015

Raiders

R - RespectfulM - Mature

S – Safe

REIDSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOLRaiders

2014 – 2015 SCHOOL YEAR

1903 South Park DriveReidsville, North Carolina 27320

(336) 342-4726Fax: (336) 342-9434

Dr. Rodney Shotwell, SuperintendentRockingham County Schools

Ms. Erselle Young, PrincipalMel Martin, Assistant Principal

Karen Hester, Assistant Principal

STUDENT PLANNER and Title I HANDBOOK

Name __________________________________

Address_________________________________

Phone___________________________________

Grade________Homebase___________________

Parent /Guardian Signature: ______________________ (Acknowledgement: I have read my child’s Planner/Handbook)

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NOTES

RMS HALL PASSES – 5th 6 weeksDATE TIME DESTINATION TEACHER

RMS HALL PASSES – 6th 6 weeksDATE TIME DESTINATION TEACHER

WELCOME

Welcome to the 2014– 2015 school year at Reidsville Middle School. We are excited that you are here and want to work hard to help you be very successful this year.

This planner will give you school rules, a calendar and hall passes. Be sure to write your assignments down every day. It will help you stay organized to do your best in school.

If you or your parents need information about the school or school system, there is a web site with all of the policies and important information from the school system. You can locate that at: http://www.rock.k12.nc.us You can find our school web page listed under the “Schools” section or by looking up our web site at http://www.rock.k12.nc.us/Domain/1077 Our web site has pictures of students and staff on it and keeps up-to- date information for athletics and parent meetings. For those of you without access to the Internet you can request information from your teacher. Welcome back ! !

MISSION STATEMENT

We at Reidsville Middle School are life-long learners who strive to make a difference with our students

as we help them become well-rounded, responsible, contributing citizens in a diverse society.

POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT

Raiders Respect Modeling MatureSuccess Safe

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RMS HALL PASSES – 3rd 6 weeksDATE TIME DESTINATION TEACHER

RMS HALL PASSES – 4th 6 weeksDATE TIME DESTINATION TEACHER

RMS HALL PASSES - 1st 6 weeksDATE TIME DESTINATION TEACHER

RMS HALL PASSES - 2nd 6 weeksDATE TIME DESTINATION TEACHER

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS -- 2014-2015TEST SUBJECT AREAS TO IMPROVE SCOR

E13-14 ELA/RDG

13-14 MATH

13-14 SCIENCE

13-14 SS

1st ELA/RDG

MATH

SCIENCE

SS

2nd ELA/RDG

MATH

SCIENCE

SS

3rd ELA/RDG

MATH

SCIENCE

SS

4th ELA/RDG

MATH

SCIENCE

SS

5th ELA/RDG

MATH

SCIENCE

SS

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NOTABLE ITEMS/PASSWORDS/NUMBERS

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Rockingham County Schools To: All Parents of Students Enrolled in Title I Schools From: Human Resources Department Subject: Notification to Parents of Teacher Qualifications

The federal No Child Left Behind law requires school districts to notify parents of children attending a Title I school of their right to know the professional qualifications of the classroom teachers who instruct their child. As a recipient of these funds, Rockingham County Schools will provide you with this information in a timely manner if you request it. Specifically, you have the right to request the following information about each of your child’s classroom teachers:

Whether the teacher meets the state qualifications and licensing criteria for the grades and core academic subjects he or she teaches.

Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status because of special circumstances.

The teacher’s college major, whether the teacher has any advanced degrees, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.

Whether teacher assistants provide services to your child and, if so, their qualifications.

In addition, the law requires that all schools that receive Title I funds must provide notification to every parent in the school whose child is being taught for four or more weeks by a teacher who is not “Highly Qualified,” regardless of whether or not the teacher is being paid with Title I funds. Rockingham County Schools is committed to providing instruction for all students and does by employing the most qualified individuals to teach and support each student in the classroom. If you would like to receive any of the information listed above for your child’s teacher, please complete the enclosed form and send in as directed. Encl.: Teacher/Teacher Assistant Information Request Form

The Rockingham County School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, homelessness or otherwise in its educational

programs and activities and in employment. ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORD ELECTIVES

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORD ELECTIVES

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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Teacher/Teacher Assistant Information Request Form

Request for Information About Teacher/Teacher Assistant Qualifications Instructions to Parents: Please complete this form. Use a separate form for each teacher or teacher assistant. Return the completed form to your school’s office or mail to: Rockingham County Schools, Human Resources Department, 511 Harrington Hwy, Eden, North Carolina 27288. Information will be sent to you within 30 days.

School Name:________________________________________ Name of Teacher: Mr. Mrs. Ms. _______________________________________ or Name of Teacher Assistant: Mr. Mrs. Ms. _______________________________ Grade Level:________________________ Subject (if applicable):________________ Name of Parent(s) Requesting Information:____________________________________ Name of Student:________________________________________________ Mailing Address (where information is to be sent or faxed): Street Address City State Zip Code Fax number:______________________________________ Daytime telephone number in case of questions: ________________________________ For district use: Received by school/date/initials: Received by HR/date/initials; Completed by initials/fax/date: Copy to:

Notes:

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CHANGE OF ADDRESS / EMERGENCY CONTACTS

It is very important that we have your current address and telephone number. Please inform the PowerSchool Data Manager, Ms. Patti Poll, or the Guidance Office Secretary, Ms. Jennifer Lovings, if you change your address or telephone number.

If a child becomes ill while in school, parents will be notified. If we are unable to reach the parents, the school will contact the “Emergency Contact” person designated by the parents. At the beginning of each school year, parents will fill out a new Student Information Form (Emergency Contact / Who has Permission to Pick Up My Child form – these need not be the same persons.)

Please advise us immediately if your Emergency Contact Information changes so that we may best serve your child’s needs.

STUDENT HOLIDAYS

Thanksgiving – November 26 - 29Winter Break – December 22 - January 2

Spring Break – March 30 - April 6

Refer to the CALENDAR toward the back of this Handbook for additional information.

OUR SCHOOL DAY

The instructional school day begins for students at 8:10 AM. Because supervision does not begin until 7:45 AM, students should not arrive on school grounds before this time. Students arriving by car must be dropped off in the area adjacent to the cafeteria. Bus lanes and staff parking areas are not to be used for student drop off. Students who are tardy must report to the Guidance Office to sign in. Please refrain from making appointments during the school day. Students will not be allowed to be “signed out” between 2:45 PM and 3:10 PM. Since bus transportation is provided, no student is allowed in or around the building after dismissal time unless serving after school detention or at the request of a classroom teacher. All car riders should be picked up before 3:30 PM. Any student picked up prior to 11:45 will be counted absent for the day.

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORDSOCIAL STUDIES

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORD SOCIAL STUDIES

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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ATTENDANCE POLICY

RCS Board of Education believes that regular school attendance is of crucial importance to the educational achievement of each student. Further, the board affirms that the primary responsibility for regular attendance resides with the parents/guardians and the individual student. It is the responsibility of all school personnel to promote and encourage regular school attendance and to create and maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning.

At RMS, a student must remain in school until 11:45am. The following are excused reasons to be absent when satisfactory evidence for the excuse is provided to school officials:1. Illness or Injury 2. Quarantine 3. Death in the Immediate Family – Includes grandparents, parents, brothers, and sisters, but is not limited to these family members.4. Medical or Dental Appointments 5. Court or Administrative Proceedings 6. Religious Observances 7. Educational Opportunity - Prior approval must be granted by Principal.

Procedures for Attendance Parents must provide written verification of absences upon the student’s return to school. The principal will require a note from the student’s physician after five (5) consecutive or ten (10) accumulated absences in a semester.

Retention for Absences Students with more than 20 absences in a year, including out-of-school suspension are subject to retention.

District Tardy Policy for Middle SchoolsIt is the responsibility of the student and his/her parents to be on time for school and class. In the event of tardiness, parents are required to sign the student in at the front office. 1 to 2 Tardies – Conference warning 3 Tardies – Lunch Detention4 to 6 Tardies –Possible ISS and loss of privileges (including athletic and social participation) 7 or more Tardies – Social Worker contact and administrator consequence up to and including ISS

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EARLY RELEASE / DELAYED START

Several times during the year we have “Early Release” days when students are dismissed earlier than their regularly scheduled time. We also have days when the “Starting Time” for school is delayed - usually due to inclement weather. These changes in the schedule are as follows:

● Early Release School Dismisses at 1:10 P.M.● 2 Hour Delayed Start School Begins at 10:10 A.M.

CURRICULUM

The curriculum at Reidsville Middle School follows the objectives as outlined in the NC Standard Course of Study. Academic accommodations are made for students of all ability levels. Students’ academic classes (math, language arts, social studies and science) are scheduled according to a teacher team concept, in blocks of time by grade level. In addition, one semester of Physical Education is required per year for each student.

Elective classes include art, band, chorus, keyboarding, computer applications, Biblical history, Spanish, career exploration, life skills, and technology education. Students select their elective classes in the spring of the preceding year for all of the following year. Each student selects their electives and an alternate class in case some of their choices become closed. Elective classes will not be changed.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are provided free of charge to each student; however, fees will be charged for books that are lost or damaged beyond normal use. The same rules apply to books checked out from the school media center.

FEES OWED

Every student is responsible for the textbooks issued to him/her. In the event that a book is lost or damaged, charges will be assessed to the student. All fees owed to the school for items such as library books, fundraiser sales, cafeteria meals, damage to school property, etc. should be paid in a timely manner. Failure to do so will result in students being ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities.

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORD SCIENCE

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORDSCIENCE

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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FUNDRAISERS

Fundraising projects are necessary since school organizations need funds to operate. There are several fundraisers scheduled for this school year. Parents and students are encouraged to participate in these events for purchases to enhance students’ educational opportunities.

HOMEWORK

Students are assigned homework relevant to the objectives being taught. The assignments are designed to expand on classroom learning and as additional practice for the lessons. The consequence for a pattern of not doing homework is serious. A student who is absent is expected to make up all work whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

HAL -- Homework Assistance Line

Rockingham County Schools provide a Homework Assistance Line (HAL). This service makes teachers available to help students with their homework in the afternoon, Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. The number for HAL is 623-3689.

PROMOTION/REPORT CARDS

Report cards are issued each six weeks. Progress reports are issued to students in each subject at the middle of each grading period. Students with an average of C or better may not receive a progress report. These reports are designed to help parents monitor their child’s progress before official grades are assigned. The reports must be signed by a parent and return within three school days.

Promotion and retention will be based on student performance in the four major subject areas, end of year testing and attendance.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Students may participate in a variety of extracurricular activities. Sports: including football, soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball, volleyball, track, golf, wrestling, and cheerleading are offered to students in the 7th and 8th grades. Attendance, achievement, and skill level are used as criteria for participation.

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TELEPHONES / CELLULAR PHONES

The office telephone is used for school business only. Students may not use the phone without permission from the secretary. Students will not be called to the phone in the classroom, and only urgent messages will be delivered. Plans for after school activities should be made in advance.

Cellular phones are not permitted to be used during school. They will be confiscated and only returned to the parent or legal guardian. Repeated offense may result in other disciplinary consequences.

CODE OF BEHAVIOR

The rules for our school and district are listed in this planner or in the RCS Student Handbook. Depending on the offense, the consequences of violating school rules may result in conferencing, silent lunch, In-team suspension, Choices, In-school suspension (ISS), Out-of-school suspension (OSS), or possible expulsion.

If students are sent to Choices (short stay ISS for one period or less) and then resume their normal schedule, they will not be excluded from participating in after-school sports or activities.

Students that receive In-School Suspension (ISS) or Out-of-School Suspension (OSS) may not attend any extra-curricular activities at Reidsville Middle (RMS) or Reidsville High (RHS) that particular day.

Any student that receives a combination of 5 or more days/blocks of ISS/OSS/Choices within a semester will not be allowed to attend any non-academic extra-curricular activity during that semester.

Administration has the right to PROHIBIT students to attend any non-academic extra-curricular activity based on behavior anytime during the school year.

RCS DRESS CODE

We ask our students to dress in an appropriate manner for school. Clean, neat, comfortable clothing, which allows your child to participate in all events of school without undue concern, will be most appropriate.

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORD MATH

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORD MATH

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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● Appropriate size of student dress and footwear is necessary to maintain a positive and safe school climate. Clothing or accessories that endanger the safety of others are prohibited.

● Clothing must be age appropriate, must not distract from the learning process and cannot be provocative, revealing, indecent or vulgar. No Leggings unless worn with a skirt of at least fingertip length. No short shorts or short skirts are allowed (– not shorter than 1 inch above knee.)

● No headgear - including, but not limited to hats, earmuffs, bandanas, sweatbands, or sunglasses - will be worn inside the school buildings.

● All sleeveless tops must have shoulders, and all tops must have fitted arm openings.

● No spaghetti straps or tank tops are allowed. All tops must cover the waistband of the bottom garment.

● Clothing will not be allowed which promotes alcoholic beverages, tobacco, the use of controlled substances, depicts violence, is of a sexual nature, is racist, is mesh or transparent, or is of a disruptive nature.

● Heavy chains or accessories, or any attire that has the potential to be used as a weapon is prohibited.

● No sagging pants allowed. All pants must be worn and fitted at the waist.

● Any clothing or accessories recognized as being gang related are prohibited.

● No rips or tears above the knee.● No undergarment should be visible.● Sleepwear is prohibited.● All shirts and tops must be no longer than the top of the leg.● No visible body piercings, except the ears.

SKATEBOARD POLICY

Students are not allowed to ride or bring skateboards on school property at any time.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ANDGUIDELINES FOR ATHLETICS

The NC guidelines and rules for all students who wish to participate in sports are as follows:

Only 7th and 8th grade students can participate in sports.14

Each player must pass 5 out of 6 subjects during the previous semester.

A player must be in attendance at least 85% of the previous semester (A player cannot miss 14 or more days in one semester).

A student cannot participate if they become 15 years of age on or before October 16 of that school year.

No student may participate at the middle school level for a period lasting longer than four consecutive semesters, beginning with the student’s first entry into grade seven.

A player must receive a medical examination each year (365 days) by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

Each player must have a physical before they are allowed to practice.

All athletes are covered under a “Basic All Athletic Plan, but this plan is secondary to other insurance.

This policy only covers the students involved in athletics. No PE and other school activities are covered.

You may wish to purchase the school/student accident insurance.

No 6th grade student is allowed to be a team manager; only 7th and 8th grade students may fill these positions.

Each team manager will be the same gender as the team he/she is managing.

PARENT VISITORS

All visitors need to report to the Front Office to sign in and obtain a Visitor’s Pass. As a parent of a child at Reidsville Middle School, you are welcome to speak to your child, but you may not speak to any other students at the school. Our goal is to protect our students from any unwanted comments and provide a safe and orderly environment in which to learn.

RESTROOMS

All rest rooms are to be used for their intended purpose. No playing is allowed. (Refer to the PBIS Expectations.) For sanitary reasons, students are asked to always flush, put only toilet tissue in the commodes and keep the area clean. Writing or defacing the walls is a serious and punishable offense.

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORD ENGLISH

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS RECORD ENGLISH

DATE DUE ASSIGNMENT GRADE

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SCHOOL BUS REGULATIONS

School transportation is a privilege, not a right. Students must observe the directives of the school bus driver at all times. Students are expected to follow the Rockingham County Schools Code of Conduct when riding a bus. Consequences for misbehavior also will follow School Board policy.

The following conduct is specifically prohibited and may result in temporary or permanent suspension from school transportation services and/or from school:● Delaying the bus schedule● Fighting, smoking, using profanity or refusing to obey the driver’s instructions● Tampering with or willfully damaging a school vehicle● Possession or use of unauthorized drugs or intoxicating beverages● Getting off at an unauthorized stop● Eating or drinking on the bus ● Failing to observe established safety rules and regulations● Distracting the driver’s attention by participating in disruptive behavior● Throwing objects within or from the bus● Willfully trespassing upon a school bus● No electronic devices are allowed on buses (e.g. cell phones, CD or Mp3 players, pagers, games, etc.)● Violating any other rule of the Code of Student Conduct while on the school bus● A student should never attempt to ride a bus that he/she has not been officially assigned to ride. ● No one who is not an assigned passenger is allowed to board the bus for any reason.

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SCHEDULES FOR 2014-2015

Grade 6

Homebase 7:55 - 8:10Block 1A 8:10 - 9:01Block 1B 9:03 - 9:48

Elective 1 9:50 - 10:35Elective 2 10:37 - 11:22Block 2A 11:24 - 12:09

Block 2B 12:11 - 1:30 (w/ lunch)Block 3A 1:32 - 2:17Block 3B 2:19 - 3:10

Grade 7

Homebase 7:55 - 8:10Block 1A 8:10 - 9:01Block 1B 9:03 - 9:48Block 2A 9:50 - 10:35

Block 2B 10:37 - 11:56 (w/ lunch)Elective 1 11:58 - 12:43Elective 2 12:45 - 1:30Block 3A 1:32 - 2:17Block 3B 2:19 - 3:10

Grade 8

Homebase 7:55 - 8:10Block 1A 8:10 - 9:01Block 1B 9:03 - 9:48Block 2A 9:50 - 10:35

Block 2B 10:37 - 11:22Block 3A 11:24 - 12:43 (w/ lunch)

Block 3B 12:45 - 1:35Elective 1 1:32 - 2:22Elective 2 2:24 - 3:10

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CITATIONS: MLA FORMAT

REFERENCES Your “Works Cited” page should have a separate entry for every book, website, article or other reference you use. List the entries alphabetically by each one’s first word. Most entries will include:1) Name(s) of the author(s) or editor(s). Put the last name of the first author (or editor) first (Smith, Mary). Put the first names of any following authors first (Ann Clark).2) The title. Put book or website titles in italics. Put quotation marks around the titles of articles or encyclopedia entries.3) The place the book was published or its address on the World Wide Web.4) The publisher: a publishing company, magazine, newspaper, or website sponsor.5) The date a book or article was published (in print or on the Web), and the date you retrieved it (on the Web).6) The page numbers of articles in magazines and newspapers.

Here are some sample entries:A book with one author: Smith, Mary. The English Tourist. London: Doubleday, 2001.

A book with two or three authors: Davies, Adam, Ann Clark and John Reid. National Gallery Art. New York: Schiffer, 2004

A book with more than three authors: Parker, James, et al. The Elusive Man. Houston: Harper, 2011.

A book with an editor, but no author listed on the title page: Faber, S. K., ed. Science Wizards. London: Oxford UP, 1995.

An article in a newspaper: Rolfe, Susan. “How to Write a Good Essay.” Los Angeles Times 14 January 2008: B3.

An article in a magazine or journal: Hairston, Ashley. “The Queen’s Swans.” Modern Great Britain March 2000: 24-31.

An entry in an encyclopedia: King Arthur. Encyclopedia of British Legends. 2000 ed.

A web page: Coe, R. “Water Cycle.” Hydrospheres . 2 May 1991. USGS. 4 Jan. 2011 <ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycle.html>

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PARTS OF SPEECH

NOUNS – refer to a place, person, thing, or ideaCommon nouns – any place, person, thing, or idea Examples: woman, countryProper nouns - a particular place person, thing, or idea. Examples: Deborah, Norway, English

PRONOUNS -- take the place of a noun.Nominative case - the subject of a sentence / clause.Example: He went to bed. Possessive case shows ownership. Example: The waterbed is his.Objective case receives action, or is after a preposition. Example: They sold him a leaky waterbed.

VERBS -- show action or state of being, and the time of

the action or state. Examples: Past: She waited in the car.Present: He needs gas now. Future: I will enjoy my trip.

ADJECTIVES -- describe nouns and specify size, color,

number, and so on. (This is called modifying.) Example: A small light showed in the upper window of the old factory.

ADVERBS -- describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs,and specify in what manner, when, where, and how much. Examples: He cried loudly when he fell and hurt his arm. It hurt much more that he thought it would.

PREPOSITIONS - show how a noun or pronoun is relatedto another word in a sentence. (Prepositions can also be used as adverbs.) Examples: PREP: He fell down the hill. ADV: I fell down.

CONJUNCTIONS:-- join words, phrases, or clauses.

Coordinating CONJ: join elements of equal value. Example: Take the cookie and eat it.Subordinating CONJ: join main clause and dependent (subordinate) clause. Example: The cake was burnt because the timer was slow.

INTERJECTIONS: - (also known as exclamations) are indicated by an exclamation mark (!). Example: Wow ! See that dog chase the ball!

ARTICLES: -- introduce nouns, (are sometimes classified as adjectives). Only three in English – a, an, and the.

Example: An orange ball hit a tree and bounced into the street.

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LITERARY ELEMENTS

These are essential features in a piece of writing. They may vary depending on the format and genre of a piece of writing. They include, but are not limited to:

GENRE: A division or type of literature. (Ex: mystery, non-fiction, biography, poetry, historical fiction, etc.)

CHARACTERS: The people or participants in the story.

SETTING: The time period and location(s) of the story.

PLOT: The action sequence of a narrative; what happens.

THEME / PURPOSE: The main meaning or message of a story.

MOOD: The feeling created in the reader by a literary work or passage.

FORESHADOWING: The use of clues or hints of what will happen later.

CONFLICT: The struggle between opposing forces.

CLIMAX: The high point of interest in a story.

DENOUEMENT: The end of a story, after the climax.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: The use of figures of speech or word images; not meant to be interpreted literally, such as:

METAPHOR: A direct comparison of two unlike things where something is spoken of as though it were something else.

SIMILE: A comparison of two things using “like” or “as”.

PERSONIFICATION: The giving of human qualities to non-human things.

HYPERBOLE: The use of exaggeration for effect.

SYMBOLISM: The use of something to represent something beyond itself.

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