2007-2008 Seventh Grade Language Arts – Year at a Glance Mrs. Castellano
| The following chart is a general overview of goals and objectives, as well as the materials and skills we will be learning from and about this year. A more in-depth review of each category will be sent home around the beginning of each month to keep you informed of what we'll be going over in class for that month. Please note that any item on this grid may be changed without notice as needed for optimal student learning (based on assessment). |
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Novels and Other Readings |
Grammar/Vocabulary |
Writing |
Additional Skills |
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An African Princess in Victorian England (Summer Reading - will include assessment of summarization skills, introduction to theme and other skills/questions - what makes classic fiction classic, etc.)
Farewell to Manzanar The Pigman Of Mice and Men Biographical study – subject to be announced
Ø Other Readings Various selection of poetry for recitation/memorization as well as analysis
Ø "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" and "Brian's Song" from Elements of Literature. This will include in-class reading, analysis of characters, and review of literary terms.
Ø "Smallest Dragonboy" from EOL. Assignments to include an analysis of the Fantasy genre as it pertains to the author, society at any given point, as well as the reader.
Ø Greek Mythology - read various versions of Greek myths. Assignments to include character analysis, moral lessons, comparison and contrast, skits, quizzes and tests.
Ø "Cinderella" unit. A study of multi- cultural Cinderella stories. This unit's assignments will include compare/contrast of stories, creative writing (student’s own version of a Cinderella story), skits, quizzes and tests.
Individual Book Reports. Student chosen books. |
Ø Review Parts of Speech Pre-Assessment with end assessment of basic parts of speech: noun, verb, adjective, etc. Ongoing practice with Daily Oral Language (DOL) drills. Special emphasis on correct use of punctuation and past/present tense verbs.
Ø Review of correct sentence and paragraph structure. Ongoing practice with correct sentence structure as well as creating topic sentences and providing evidence for work in paragraph structure.
Ø Vocabulary and spelling from novels or other readings: Assignments will include definitions, roots (identification of Greek and Latin roots), spelling, creating sentences using new vocabulary as well as quizzes and tests. |
Ø Review and application of 6+1 Writing Traits used in all forms of writing: journaling, essays, response to literature, etc.
Ø Journaling – both in and out of class.
Ø Timed, structured writings in response to prompts – informal and formal.
Ø Essay writing both long term research as well as five paragraph essay (all styles addressed this year: narrative, expository and persuasive)
Ø Book Reports. Will be student chosen. Assessment pieces will vary to include: written, oral, and artistic products, to name a few.
Ø Creating and answering questions completely in reponse to in-class readings.
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Ø Review of Literary Terms and introduction of new terms with emphasis on theme, character development and voice.
Ø Introduction and application of Bloom’s Taxonomy – terms and application with all reading activities.
Ø Public Speaking Students will practice and recite oral speeches or other chosen piece. Public speaking practice done through oral in class readings, performance of skits and response to prompts as well as in class discussion.
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