Language Arts 7 Mrs. Patusco

Sixteen Syllabus

(Dates & items subject to change)

Track vocabulary- you are responsible for tracking unknown or difficult words in your journal from your reading. For each word, you have to write the definition and a sentence showing its usage. From our class lists, we will form vocabulary quizzes.

Day 1
1) Journal Question- Some say poor people may not have money, but are rich in other ways. Can you think of some ways a poor person may be “rich”? How do people become poor? Give reasons and suggestions as to how they may be able to overcome the challenge of being “poor.”
2) Read “I, Hungry Hannah Cassandra Glen” by Norma Fox Mazer pp.2-13

Day 2
1) Class Discussion-How does the dialogue from the story reveal the characters’ thoughts/emotions? Examples?
2) Similes- what they are and examples from story

3) Story chart

4) in your journal write a conversation that you would have with one of your friends. Must be detailed and creative! Remember to use quotation marks and tag lines.

Day 3
1) Review HW
2) Journal Questions- 1)If you had the opportunity to meet your favorite star, athlete, etc., what would you do/say? Why are they your idol? Would you bring anyone along with you? If so, who and why?
3) Who do you think is the stronger friend of the two girls? Why?

4) Read “May I Have Your Autograph?” by Marjorie Sharmat pp. 15-20
5) story chart

Day 4
1) Review HW
2) Read “Midnight Snack” by Diane Duane pp. 22-29
3) Journal Questions- 1) Do you believe in myths? For example, do you believe in unicorns, ghosts, etc.? Would you believe a friend if they told you these things existed? If you do or do not, explain why. 2) How has Beth and Jerry’s relationship changed since the beginning of the story?

Day 5
1) Review HW
2) Using “Midnight Snack” as a model, write a setting where you think a mythical animal, like a unicorn, might live or hide. Why would they go there? Use details in your setting.

3) Story chart

Day 6
1) Read “Future Tense” by Robert Lipsyte pp. 60-69
2) Journal Questions- a) What do you think happened to Gary next? Explain. b) Some people enjoy reading science fiction a lot; others hate it. What makes you like it or not?

3) Story chart

Day 7

1) Journal Question-What is love? Is it a learned emotion or do you think everyone “feels” it? All types of relationships take shape in a variety of ways. Does love affect those relationships? Explain.
2) Read “In the Heat” by Robert Cormier pp.154-162
3) Metaphors – what they are and examples from the text

Day 8
1) Review HW- continue “In the Heat” work

2) Journal Questions- a) What do you learn about Richy? How is he like his father? b) What effect do metaphors have on the story? Use examples to explain.

c) What memories, pleasant or unpleasant, about your parents do you think you will always remember?

Day 9
1) Review HW
2) Read “Pricilla and the Wimps” by Robert Peck pp. 42-45
3) Story chart

4) Journal Questions- a) Why do people like Monk think they are so special? What allows them to be so powerful? b) What does the narrator reveal about himself while telling this story? Explain. c) As if you are Priscilla, describe your feelings about being so big and why you don’t say much.

Day 10
1) Review HW
2) Read “Fourth of July” by Robin F. Brancato 102-111
3) Journal Questions- a) What does the conversation among the three teenagers tell us about them and their personalities? b) What kind of student would you expect each of them to be in school?

4) story chart

Day 11
1) Review HW
2) Read “Three People and Two Seats” by Kevin Major 113-123
3) Journal Questions- a) What ways are Kenny and Brian typical teenagers?

b) By the time the bus reaches Gander, Dave has made a decision. How do you know what the decision is and what led him to make it?
4) story chart

Day 12

1) Review HW

2) Read “On the Bridge” (mentor piece handout)

3) Journal Questions: a) Do you know a real-life Adam Lockwood?

b) Why do you think students like to make up or pretend they are tougher than they really are? c) What do you think Seth finally realizes at the end of the story?

4) story chart

Day 13

1) Review HW

2) Read “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto (mentor piece handout)

3) Journal questions: a) How similar is the story “Seventh Grade” to your experiences so far this year? b) While in class, have you ever embarrassed yourself or know someone who has, the way Victor did in French class?

c) What were your first impressions of your teachers this year?

Day 14

1) Journal question: "If thirteen is supposed to be an unlucky number...you would think a civilized society could come up with a way for us to skip it." What do you think the author is trying to say? Use examples to support your response.

2) Read “What’s the Worst that Could Happen?” by Bruce Coville (handout)

3) Story chart

Day 15

1) Review HW

2) Start Short Story project: Discuss ideas for creating your own short stories.

3) Pick type of story and point of view from which you will write your story.

4) Pick characters that you will develop for your story and complete a characterization of each with detail.

5) Use graphic organizer to input information

Days 16-22

1) Begin introduction of story- establish setting, characters, point of view and conflict.

2) Student/teacher conferences to discuss ideas

3) Establish the rising action and begin writing dialogue for your characters.

4) Write out the climax of your story- be specific as to who is involved and where it is taking place.

5) Resolution- wrap up your story. Any loose ends?

6) Revise, proofread and edit

7) Check for proper MLA format