Class Blogs:
http://englishsevenreadingroundtablebfis.blogspot.com
Course Descritption
The course emphasizes the fundamentals of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students read and write in a variety of literary genres, including the novel, short story, poetry and non-fiction. They will also respond to literature and non-fiction in a variety of modes including the essay. The course will require listening carefully and thoughtfully to the ideas of classmates, as well as speaking effectively during class discussion and project presentations. Sometimes students will create interdisciplinary projects, which require that they exhibit learning in both social studies and English. Throughout the year students will learn the value of using language effectively and responsibly.
Course Outline
Semester One
I. Writer's Workshop (Ongoing across both semesters)
- Students experience the writing process and learn to evaluate writing using the Write Traits assessment tool.
- Addresses Standards 1.1-1.13, 2.1-2.4 and 3.1-3.12 in the curriculum document.
II. Elements of Fiction in The Incredibles (2 weeks)
- Students gain a foundation of understandings for our future literature studies.
- Addresses Standards 6.3, 6.4, 6.6, 6.9, 6.11 in the curriculum document.
III. Novel Study: The Giver by Lois Lowry (5 weeks)
- Students learn and use a range of reading and writing skills to respond to literature.
- Addresses Standards 5.1-5.6, 6.1, 6.4, 6.6-6.9, 6.11 in the curriculum document.
IV. Novel Study: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (5 weeks)
- Students learn and use a range of reading and writing skills to respond to literature.
- Addresses Standards 5.1-5.6, 6.1, 6.4, 6.6-6.9, 6.11 in the curriculum document.
V. Poetry (3 weeks)
- Students explore poetry, free verse in particular, as form of written expression.
- Addresses Standards 1.1-1.5, 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 3.3-3.8, 5.3, 6.7, 8.5-8.7, 9.3 in the curriculum document.
VI. Day Book: Responding to Reading (Ongoing across both semesters)
- Students use a workbook of short stories, non-fiction and poetry to practice having a written conversation with a text. Students will practice recognizing the author's craft, making connections, asking important questions and otherwise thinking critically. Addresses Standards 6.1, 6.4-6.11 in the curriculum document.
Semester Two
I. The Hero's Journey (2 weeks)
- Students investigate the archetype of the hero's journey and apply it to literary works: myth, legend, short stories and novels.
- Addresses Standards 6.4-6.7, 6.10 in the curriculum document.
II. The Short Story (2 weeks spread across the semester)
- Students read as writers to better understand how to craft a short story and which techniques and structures are most effective for various purposes and audiences.
- Addresses Standards 1.7, 2.1-2.4, 3.1-3.12, 5.5, 6.3-6.11 in the curriculum document.
III. Novel Study: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech (5 weeks)
- Students learn and use a range of reading and writing skills to respond to literature.
- Addresses Standards 5.1-5.6, 6.1, 6.4, 6.6-6.9, 6.11 in the curriculum document
IV. Novel Study: Before We Were Free by Julie Alvarez (5 weeks)
- Students learn and use a range of reading and writing skills to respond to literature.
- Addresses Standards 5.1-5.6, 6.1, 6.4, 6.6-6.9, 6.11 in the curriculum document
V. Collaborative Media Project with Social Studies (2 weeks)
- Students create an interdisciplinary project that combines writing and media skills.
Addresses Standards 1.1-1.5, 4.1-4.2, 4.4-4.6, 9.1-9.2, 9.4-9.9 in the curriculum document.
Classroom Expectations
Honor Differences: People look, act and learn differently. Hold an attitude of curiosity instead of judgment. Create an environment in which everyone can learn comfortably.
- Encourage a Positive Atmosphere: Do what you can to make others feel good about themselves and their work. Make decisions that benefit the whole group. Take responsibility for your mood. Take care of your property and the property of others. Use the school's or someone else's things only with permission.
- Listen and Speak Respectfully: Listen before you speak. Offer encouragement by giving the speaker your complete attention. Wait until you have someone's attention before speaking to him or her. Speak to your teacher and classmates using the polite language you might employ when speaking to your grandmother or an honored role model.
- Focus on Your Learning: Come prepared to learn and begin work as soon as you enter the classroom. Increase activities that help your focus. Eliminate activities that distract you or others. Concern yourself with meeting your own responsibilities. Allow other people to meet their responsibilities
- Be Responsible and Proactive: You are responsible for your actions and their consequences. Decide what you most want to learn and make sure you learn it. If you make a mistake or do something wrong, ask how to fix it or make it right and do that. Try it - you don't have to like it, you don't have to agree with it, but you are required to consider it, whatever "it" is being taught. Strive to be your best self everyday.
Required Course Materials
Students are required to have a notebook. The notebook may take any form but must be left in the classroom and therefore may not be used for any other subject. Students will also need a binder or loose-leaf paper to complete homework assignments and two folders, one for in-class writing and another in which to keep handouts, which will go home. All notes and work should be written in blue or black ink only. No pencil or colors please. Red or green pens are suggested for editing work. The school will provide novels with the expectation that students will keep them in good condition and return them when study is finished.
Homework Policy
Most of the homework given to students will be the completion of tasks started in class. Occasionally, an independent task will be assigned. It is my expectation that homework will be completed at home, as the next class often relies on its completion for success. Homework completed before the beginning of class will be graded for full credit. Homework submitted after the beginning of class that is complete and correct, will be given a passing grade.
Assessment
The student’s grade will be divided into skill areas based on the standards in our curriculum document. The Academic Process division reflects the student’s development of good learning habits and demonstration of collegial behavior. Please note that there is no final exam for Grade 7.
- Writing, 35%
- Reading, 30%
- Listening & Speaking, 20%
- Academic Process, 15%
In general, work will be recorded with the following weight:
- Homework, short quizzes, in-class task completion, 5pts
- Minor tests or assignments, 20pts
- Major tests or multi-stage assignments, 40pts
Subject to Change
This outline represents a plan for our learning this year. Sometimes, the best learning happens outside of the plan, on the paths you never anticipated taking. With that in mind, as the year goes on, adjustments may be made to the plan, to better meet the needs of this group of students and take advantage of unforeseen learning opportunities that may arise.
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