7th Grade ELA
Mrs. Long's English Language Arts Class
April 2014 Newsletter
Reading Highlights
The literature complexity is stepping it up even more this quarter. Our poetry unit is in full swing. Students know the five steps to take when reading complex literature and each day brings the reading, comprehending, and analysis of a new poem. Once again students have engaged in discussions with other students who had prepared for the discussion by answering different questions. Their discussions requiring students to synthesize, infer, and draw complex conclusions were incredibly rich in content and were a huge success!
Discussing Charles Dickens
Analyzing Non-Fiction Articles
Using their Discussion Skills
Language Arts Musings
During our poetry unit, students have spent the majority of the time learning how to read, interpret, comprehend and analyze complex poetry mostly from the 18th and 19th century. However, they have also had the chance to explore the importance of emotion and narrative poetry during language arts. I Can't poems provided students a chance to explore their inner emotions, while their Jabberwocky rewrites gave them a chance to impose their individuality onto a classic piece of literature. Poetry will be on display during open house, make sure you stop by room 101.
Character Education: Social Emotional Learning
Respect in the Classroom
Respect with Social Media
Respect in the Cafeteria
Differentiation and Enrichment
Before spring break some students in first and seventh class period worked with Mrs. Braskich, the ELM coordinator. Their final projects resulted in in-depth discussions about drama, universal topics, and a monologue performance. She was not able to take students during fourth period due to scheduling conflicts.
Don't Procrastinate: What's Happening Long Term
Quarter 4 Book Report
Students will be placed in groups to complete a two part poetry project. Part one requires students to analyze a poem and part two requires students to perform poetry. Grades are individual and students will receive rubrics with the project description later this week.
Poetry Quiz/Test
Not quite a full test, but more than a quiz, students will be having their poetry assessment next Thursday, April 17th. The assessment will cover poetry terms, application of poetry elements, and comprehension.
Quarter 4 Book Report
Students will be required to read a non-fiction book for this quarter. Encourage students to pick a book that is a good fit for them. IPICK is an acronym we use in class: I choose a book, purpose for reading, interest in topic, comprehension of text, knowledge of most words.
FINALS:
Latin and Greek Roots
Each quarter students have a mini final exam over all the roots assessed throughout the quarter. Students should begin review roots from Chapters
Elements of Fiction Test
Students will have a final assessment over all of the literary terms taught this year. From the plot diagram, literary elements, non-fiction elements, science-fiction elements, and poetic elements, this test will reflect back upon the curriculum from the entire year.
Coming Up Next
Open House
From 6:30-8:00 Enjoy walking around the school with your student, visiting their classes, view their work and saying hello to teachers.