7th English

Rebecca Fischer

Texts:

Everyday Spelling 7

Adventures for Readers: Book One—Athena Edition

Elements of Writing—First Course

Where the Lilies Bloom

Class Summary: This is a comprehensive course aimed at developing experience and skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Class instruction will include but not be limited to the reading and writing of narrative (tells a story), expository (explains something) and technical (specialized); vocabulary development; and introduction, review and mastery of correct English grammar usage.

In this class, students will read and study all genre of literature. Students will also write in journals and compose papers using persuasive, expository, narrative, creative and informative styles. Proofreading and editing skills will be developed and assessed using the six trait analytical model. In addition, the students will complete spelling lessons weekly. The question answer relationship model will be used to create and answer various questions. Grammar and parts of speech will be reviewed and introduced. Accelerated Reader, Thinking Maps, D.O.G.S., QAR, 6-Trait Writing and the Four Blocks of Reading will be reviewed and utilized.

**All activities and their planned times are subject to change due to students being gone, time constraints, etc.

Classroom Expectations/Rules:

Be on time to class; don’t come late from another class without a pass from that teacher.

Bring appropriate materials to class every day. This includes an AR book, pen/pencil, notebook/folder, planner, and whatever book we are currently using.

You will not be allowed to go to your locker, the restroom, etc. without your daily planner being signed.

AR book tests will be taken in the classroom as much as possible.

Make sure all trash goes in the trashcan, not on the floor or in the desks!!!

Don’t mess with or touch my computer without permission---EVER!

The grading scale is the LinnHigh School scale and is posted on the front bulletin board.

Late assignments will not be accepted unless you are sick or have made prior arrangements with the teacher. LATE WORK WILL COUNT AS ZERO POINTS!!!

Do not write or mark on any of the classroom bulletin boards.

New rules may be made as needed.

Periodic planner checks will be made. If you have your planner filled out with all of your daily assignments, you will receive 5 points. If your planner is not filled out, you will receive 0 points. Planner checks will occur without prior warning!!

Grading Policies:Students will be kept aware of their grade in this class. Although I do not plan to give extra credit for those who are failing, I will offer extra credit to the entire class on occasion. I suggest you take advantage of any extra credit opportunities as they arise. For those who do not perform well on major assignments, we will discuss the matter on an individual basis.

Grades are based on all assignments given including: journals, spelling, writing, grammar, tests and other activities. You will be required to complete at least five Accelerated Reader points per 9 weeks. This will count as a 100-point assignment!!! Reading time will be designated during class so you should ALWAYS have an AR book with you!

Late Work: Work is to be completed and turned in when due—when asked for at the beginning of the class period. The only exception to this will be in the case of an EXCUSED absence based on illness or other circumstance. If you are going to be gone for any reason, you must get the assignment before you leave. It is YOUR responsibility to get the assignment ahead of time. NO EXCUSES!

First Nine Weeks:

  • Spelling Lessons including tests and sentences
  • Accelerated Reader (AR)
  • Journals
  • Elements: Review the Aims of Writing
  • Three things for Writing Worksheet—Write an “I” paper (informative)
  • Review the 8 parts of speech: noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, verb, interjection, conjunction, preposition
  • Write descriptive paragraphs
  • Discuss Transitions
  • Introduce the novel, Where the Lilies Bloom—read, discuss, study story vocabulary, chapter quizzes, and final exam over the novel.
  • Watch the film version of Where the Lilies Bloom.

Second Nine Weeks:

  • Spelling Lessons including tests and sentences
  • Accelerated Reader (AR)
  • Journals
  • Review/Discuss Short Story Elements—Handout
  • Short Story Elements Quiz
  • Literature Book: Read “The Dinner Party”
  • Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, discuss, and test over the short story-- “The Erne from the Coast.”
  • Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, discuss, and test over the short story—“The Landlady.”
  • Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, discuss, and test over the short story—“Rikki Tikki Tavi.”
  • Watch “Rikki Tikki Tavi” film
  • Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, discuss, and test over the short story—“A Day’s Wait.”
  • Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, discuss, and test over the short story—“Rip Van Winkle.”
  • Watch “Rip Van Winkle” film

Third Nine Weeks:

  • Spelling Lessons including tests and sentences
  • Accelerated Reader (AR)
  • Journals
  • Test for Spelling Bee
  • Kansas State Reading Assessment
  • Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, discuss, and test over the short story—“You Can’t Take It With You.”
  • Literature Book: read, study vocabulary, discuss, and test over the short story—“Zlateh the Goat.”
  • Short Story Review Test over all the short stories read in class
  • Literature Book: begin drama unit by reading “In the Fog”
  • Literature Book: read, discuss, and test over the play—“The Mazarin Stone”

Fourth Nine Weeks:

  • Spelling Lessons including tests and sentences
  • Accelerated Reader (AR)
  • Journals
  • Literature Book: preview and read the novel in our book—Pacific Crossing
  • Literature Book: Vocabulary, worksheets, tests, and quizzes over Pacific Crossing
  • Use newspapers to discuss opinion. Choose a topic and write a one to one and one-half page opinion paper—typed, double spaced
  • Elements Book: revisit the eight parts of speech—worksheets and quizzes
  • One to one and one-half page compare/contrast paper—typed, double spaced over the differences and similarities of junior high and elementary school