Murray Language Academy

Greg Mason, Principal

Rhonda Butler, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Quinn Patton, 7-8thGrade ELA

773-535-0585

January 23, 2015

Dear 7-8thGrade parents,

In the third quarter we will be working on solidifying stamina for reading non-fiction, launching bi-weekly quizzes for literature circle books themed for human nature/conflicts, and Close Reading sources for final research paper for writing. Expect to see your child completing role sheets, researching for research paper, and dialectical entries. Research paperwill be connected with the topic studied in social studies, detailed information regarding this will come later, but much like other projects this will be 40% of their writing gradedue Mar. 19, 2015 (this project is a collaboration with Social Science so it is also 40% of those grades as well), Students will be asked to write research papers with bibliographies and therefore it will be essential that they are frequently visiting the internet and public libraries.The students will continue to have the following as 40% of their grade as well:

  1. Independent Reading due Mar. 20, 2015 – 1,000 pages for the third quarter
  2. Literature Circle Project due Mar. 23, 2015.

This quarter, the students will be going on their field trips to culminate with the unit. The students will be going to the Black Ensemble Theater on Feb. 17th. More information will be sent home. To solidify what the students will be learning, I will be adding nonfiction pieces to our study of literature during reading class. The ELA standards recommend that students read more informational texts throughout middle school and high school so that they are fully prepared for the demands of college reading. Therefore, while the students are reading various books in their literature circle groups, the students will also be reading related articles, recording their thoughts in their dialectical journals, and discussing them in class and on the Wikispaces blog-using the chrome books.

7th Grade Literature Novels / 8th Grade Literature Novels
- Sold
-Crossing the Wire
- The Story of Ruby Bridges
- Facing the Lion / -Chains
- Twisted
-Shabanu
-A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

The students have already been placed in their literature circle groups, based on their independent reading levels. I will be meeting with each student to confer about NWEA scores in the 2nd quarter, with their student NWEA progress report. You will have their independent reading records and rubrics from their Info Books in their report card envelopes. There will be individual and group plans to increase comprehension and critical thinking skills. Students will pair up with a reading partner when they choose a book for independent reading to discuss their both their independent and literature books. Students will complete several formative assessments to track progress. Our long-term objective is to make sure all students meet or exceed their spring growth target and increase in their reading level.

Communication

Please make sure you check the following blogs for information and that students are completing homework assignments.The best time to reach me via phone (other than during the school day by calling the main office) is between 4-7p.m at 312-316-8500. I also look at all emails, responses within 3-12 hours. My email address

Thank you for entrusting your child to me and I look forward to collaborating with you for a fulfilling school year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Patton

Mrs. Patton

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