In Language Arts, 7th and 8th graders learn together in a multi-age classroom for most of the year through interdisciplinary themes taught in conjunction with Mrs. Ginskey's religion classes. The following are some of the topics we will be covering and novels that we will be reading:
Community Unit
The Giver, a fiction book by Lois Lowry
Other miscellaneous short stories both fiction and nonfiction
Students will write a personal narrative paper for their Witness Talks in Religion
Respect Life Unit
7th Graders write a Research Paper on a topic of their choice
7th Graders read Touching Spirit Bear, a fiction book by Ben Mikaelsen
8th Graders read Unwind, a fiction book by Neal Shusterman
8th Graders write a fictional letter to Congress, using proper business letter writing etiquette
Propaganda unit corresponding with Mardi Gras Marketplace
Diversity Unit
The Outsiders, a fiction book by S.E. Hinton
Witness, a historical fiction verse novel by Karen Hesse
Students will write a paper comparing and contrasting the book and movie of The Outsiders
Grammar: Throughout the year, students will be working to master the grammar skills covered in the Minnesota Graduation Standards for 7th and 8th graders. We will work through the grammar rules and practice them in exercises. Students will then need to show mastery of these skills in their various writing assignments.
Word of the Day: Students will be exposed to a vocabulary word, which we call "Word of the Day," three to four days a week. These words will be reinforced and reviewed throughout the year in hope of lifelong mastery. Words studied throughout the year come from the book, 100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know, a book that introduces words students will see in their everyday reading and beyond.
Journal Writing: To keep students writing and thinking critically, students will do multiple journal entries a week. Journals will be checked periodically, with a focus on the thought processes of writing and simply getting words on paper.