Welcome to 7^th grade English! 

The year is full of opportunity.  Together, we will hone our skills to further master the fundamentals of English.  From class discussions dissecting novels, poems, short stories, and plays, to our weekly journal assignments, 7^th grade English presents a varied path toward the improvement of both written and oral communication.  Class participation, group work, and daily preparedness are central to the success of class and instill and empower each student with both individual and group scenarios. 

On the grammar front, we build from 6^th grade fundamentals with a comprehensive review of skills previously introduced with stronger emphasis on parts of speech, punctuation, complements, and agreement.  Students also develop an understanding of phrases (adjective, adverb, verbal, and appositive), clauses, and verbals and review basic sentence structure and parts of a sentence. 

Seventh grade critical thinking skills also become more practical with more emphasis on the revision process.  Together, we will write, revise, edit, and improve our knowledge and implementation of the various five paragraph essays.  Creative-writing, in-class essays, poetry, and short-stories also are dissected allowing each student the breath of an entire curriculum. 

Additionally, a variety of literature will be covered.  Will Hobbs offers a female perspective with Down River, our required summer novel about teamwork, taking risks, and dangerous adventure. The rival gangs in The Outsiders unveil class dynamics while displaying a loss of innocence.  Steinbeck’s classic, Of Mice and Men gives a grim lesson about the nature of human existence, while the true story of NASA’s future scientists in Rocket Boys and the ethics of a futuristic utopia in The Giver, round out our year.  Individually, each boy uncovers theme, plot, and characterization as we explore the mastery of comprehension. 

Expectations: In our open, vibrant classroom, each boy will have the most productive experience when he welcomes and respects everyone else.  Differences are celebrated, and opinions are shared.  Rules are internalized, so that each day we make the most progress.

Assessment: Grades are earned based on: participation and discussion, writing (including a weekly journal), quizzes, tests (Mondays), spelling/vocabulary, essays, creative thought, and an exam.

Homework:  Homework is each boy’s opportunity to practice class skills, and it is due when you walk across the threshold of class.  Printing HW in class is unacceptable.  If you have your HW and have given a solid effort, you will get a 95 in the grade book.  Missing homework will result in a 0.

Make-up work:  Boys are responsible for notifying the teacher of planned absences. For unpredictable absences or sick days, each boy is responsible for making up work in a timely manner by coordinating with his teacher.

Extra Help:  Extra Help on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:20PM-4:05PM is the prime opportunity to seek out answers to tough topics and subject areas regarding English.  We are here to help!

Together, 7th grade will be an awesome, intense year.