Sixth and Seventh Grade English
READING/WRITING--Marbled composition books are for writing assignments. These will include personal responses to reading assignments, writing assignments, and outlining. Before you begin any writing session, please write the date at the top of the page.
I want to encourage students to be active readers. They should respond to reading assignments in various ways, such as asking questions, relating to the characters, or making predictions.
A word about prewriting/brainstorming: I am a firm believer in prewriting and rewriting. Before you begin any piece of writing, you should take time to jot down thoughts, details, explanations or anything that comes to mind that in any way relates to your topic. This prewriting should produce more information than you will ultimately use in your finished piece of writing. That is OK. It is better to have plenty of information to choose from rather than not enough information to complete a well-developed piece of writing. After prewriting is completed, you are ready to begin a rough draft. During this stage, you organize your prewriting, add details if necessary and try to use transitions as you move from one sentence to the next. Finally, after this draft is complete, you are ready to fine-tune your writing. Follow the steps outlined in the handout PROOFREADING YOUR PAPER.
Your 3-ring binder is for word study/vocabulary, spelling, grammar and memory work. We may also complete dictation and handwriting assignments, which will also be included in your binder. Divide your binder into 4 sections: WORD STUDY, SPELLING, GRAMMAR, and MEMORY WORD/DICTATION. Keep your binder organized and neat. Always write the date at the top of your page.
WORD STUDY—keep lists of prefixes and suffixes and their meanings. I will show you how to set up this page. You will also have a section for roots, which will include root words, their meanings and origins.
SPELLING—keep a list of frequently misspelled words and spelling rules that you have not mastered.
GRAMMAR—keeps handouts and exercises here. Keep a list of rules for repeated grammar mistakes.
MEMORY WORK/DICTATION—write out passages or lists that you are memorizing and any dictation or cursive practice that we do in class.
Sixth and seventh graders will use the Spelling Workout books this year. Seventh graders will also have Vocabulary from Classical Roots as their vocabulary book. The Spelling books cover not only spelling but also meaning and etymology.
Daily review of work covered in class is expected.
Let’s work together to have a productive, fun year.
