Seventh Grade English
The literature in this class is based on genres: poetry, short stories, novels and drama. Students should be able to identify the major elements of these works, such as protagonist, antagonist, conflict, climax, etc. Novels that we study include The Outsiders, Tangerine and Night.
Each semester, the students will be asked to write three book reports in class based on a book they have chosen either from the list of suggested books that I gave them or from a book they have chosen to read and have had approved by me. As they read their books, they are to take notes, responding to their reading in various ways, such as by asking questions, making predictions, or relating to the characters.
Students will also have memory work. They usually will be asked to memorize a poem and present it to the class as a performance, not just a recitation. I want the students to feel at ease in front of a group and to enjoy performing for an audience. They should emphasize energy, gestures, facial expressions, articulation, eye contact, and correctness of words.
The writing the students do will usually relate to the literature we are studying. Most of their writing will be completed in class. Students should use the writing process for all their papers and should learn to revise and proofread. By the end of the year, students should be able to write essays that have a thesis statement and that are unified, coherent and developed. Some student writing will include research, so they will also be informed about responsible handling of source material and MLA format.
Vocabulary study will consist of Vocabulary from Classical Roots A and Word of the Day. After 20 words, students have a test. Spelling Workout G is used for spelling rules, prefixes, suffixes and Latin and /Greek roots. We will complete one lesson per week and have a quiz on the list words and/or rules.
Grammar study continues this year with a review of marking parts of a sentence, pronouns, irregular verbs, clauses and verbals. Most of the punctuation review will come from student writing.
A project the students will complete this year is the poetry journal. For this assignment, students write and illustrate original poems, personal responses to poetry and analyses of poetry.
