The 7th Grade Story

7th Grade English, 2011/2012 The Archer School for Girls Instructor: Email: Office/Classroom: Office hours by appointment: Mr. Barker rbarker@archer.org Room 258 M-F 3:00-4 :00 T, Th Lunch

Course Content This class will be based on the novel. Why? Because the novel gives us story. And story gives us a springboard for all of our subjects of study in English class. Figurative language, grammar, poetry, vocabulary, persuasion, essay writing, civics, character, media literacy...there are no limits to the novel's ability to bridge these topics. The novel will be the hub of our learning wheel. All other content will be spokes on this wheel. Objectives:

To master the habits of mind of effective readers, writers, speakers, and listeners To develop and master critical thinking skills To build background knowledge through both wide and narrow reading To develop a deep understanding of how social media and digital literacy operate and how we identify our place in the information age To master code-switching (academic language vs. other forms) To explore multiple genres of literature and writing and make sophisticated and personal connections to the material

The Books The following is a list of books required throughout this school year. However, short stories, informational articles, digital media, and many other forms will be explored as part of our journey. For example, if we are reading The House of the Scorpion, we might also read a short story that focuses around the themes of freedom and individuality. Or we might read a magazine article that touches on the ethical issues of cloning, which the novel highlights in a futuristic society. Readings in support of all of the class novels will be selected with these kinds of connections in mind. In this way, we will build background knowledge (and vocabulary) cumulatively as we go, with the novel as our leverage. The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City - Kirsten Miller The Mysterious Benedict Society - Trenton Lee Stewart The House of the Scorpion - Jane Farmer The Watsons Go To Birmingham - 1963 - Christopher Paul Curtis Money Hungry - Sharon Flake Anne Frank - The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank A Midsummer Nights Dream William Shakespeare

Grading Category Writing Assignments Tests, Quizzes, Projects Weight 40% 40% Notes Major essays, narratives, poetry, and more. Vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, written response to prompts and readings, and more. Nightly reading log, miscellaneous homework, short graded in-class work, discussion contributions.

Homework & Participation

20%

HONESTY As a founding principle of The Archer School for Girls, honesty is expected in all academic endeavors. Please refer to the Student/Parent Handbook or Archer planner for more information regarding academic honesty. Any questions of academic dishonesty will be referred to the Dean of Students.

RESPECT Be Nice, Work Hard - This simple directive is a fantastic recipe for success and we will aspire to it in all class activities. Pride of Ownership - Personal pride in one's work is essential. Effort shows and should not be reserved or put forth only in convenient circumstances. We will aspire to have pride of ownership in all of our work for this class. Attention to detail is key. Dignity - Dignity is defined as the ability to remain calm and mature, even in difficult or frustrating situations. We will aspire to nurture and maintain this trait in all our interactions. Have Fun, But Finish! Joy and laughter will be an integral part of all our work, yet we strive to never let it interfere with finishing the job at hand. So we will have fun, AND we will finish!

RESPONSIBILITY Daily Materials Each day, please bring to class:

The text we are studying All previous handouts from class Pencils, colored pens, and highlighters Spiral notebook 3-ring binder with lined paper and tabs (grammar, vocabulary, writing, comprehension) Your laptop

Paper Policy: All homework assignments must be completed, stapled (if more than one page), and ready to turn in at the start of class on the day they are due. If prior instructions were to submit online, specific deadlines will be set. If your assignment does not meet these criteria, it is considered late. As a result, your grade on any late assignment decreases by a letter grade each day. Please be mindful of due-dates and submit your work in a timely manner. Attendance: If a student is absent for the day or misses class, she is expected to take responsibility for finding out and making up the work she missed. Any student who does not take responsibility for her learning after an absence, may receive an academic penalty. Absence on the day a major assignment is due: A student who is absent only on the day a major assignment (paper, project, etc.) is due must e-mail her teacher and explain the situation. The student should e-mail, if possible, or have the assignment delivered to the teacher. Absence on the day before a test: A student who is absent only on the day before a test will be required to take the test upon her return. Absence on the day of a test or quiz: A student who is absent on the day of a test/quiz is required to take the test on the day she returns or at a time designated by her teacher. If a student arrives late to school and misses a test/quiz she is still responsible for taking the test/quiz the same day. Students who are absent, with or without an excuse, more than ten times per semester in any course may be denied credit or may only earn credit on her transcript in lieu of a letter grade. Final determination of credit/no credit will be made by the Division Director. Tardiness In order for students to take full responsibility for their learning, they must arrive to their classes on time. A student who is late for class must check in with the division coordinator and receive an Admit Slip allowing her into class. In a semester, when a student is tardy to a class, and the tardy is unexcused: Three times she meets with the teacher and develops an action plan.

Four times her parents are notified Five times her participation grade is reduced

A partial list of Essential Questions we will explore:

1. Why read? 2. What is the connection between reading and writing? 3. Do stories need a beginning, middle, and end? Why? 4. Can fiction tell more truth than non-fiction? 5. What is the relationship between fiction and truth? 6. Why do people tell stories? 7. What is the relationship between memory and storytelling? 8. How does figurative language impact our reading experience? 9. What is the best way to release information in a short story or novel? 10. What is the difference between poor writing, good writing, and great writing? 11. How many ways can a character be revealed? 12. How is the value of information impacted by its source? 13. Beyond the obvious, what is the role of advertising in our lives? 14. What is the difference between ineffective attempts at persuasion and effective attempts? 15. What value does poetry have? 16. Why are novels often much better than their screen adaptations? 17. Why is it helpful to develop a big vocabulary? 18. How does a writer create voice? 19. Is google reliable? 20. How do we know when we understand something? 21. Why should mathematicians learn to read and write well? 22. Why should writers learn how to do math? 23. Are words more important than actions? 24. Figurative language creates images; how can a writer create the sharpest images possible? 25. When youre on the Internet, how do you know what to believe?

26. What is the most cost-effective way to search for information on the Intertnet? 27. If everything is on the Internet, why learn about it on your own? 28. Does having empathy make someone weak or strong? Elaborate. 29. What is the relationship between Point of View and empathy?

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I have read the course description and fully understand what is expected of me in English 7. Student signature:__________________________ Print Name:___________________________ Parent signature:___________________________ Print Name:___________________________