Theme: Overcoming Struggles
Rationale: You are now in 7th grade and about to be presented with many new situations. This class is designed to help you overcome some of the struggles you are (or will) experience. You will be reading some short stories, some novels, and learning about some real people who overcame real struggles.
Unit 6: To Kill a Mockingbird
Essential Questions:
1. How does culture effect storylines? 2. How do I use textual details to make inferences about other areas of the text? 3. What life lessons can I learn from novels? |
Essential Skills:
1. I can determine aspects of culture and time period that effects the story. 2. I can use textual evidence to create a fictitiously accurate map of Maycomb. 3. I can learn many life lessons from TKAM. |
May 20-24
This WeekImportant Due Dates/Resources:
May 15: Bell Ringer Exam May 21: Children's book due May 29: Map of Maycomb due |
May 20: Gondy gone: Work Day
May 21: Finishing touches on chidren's books; finish TKAM May 22: Discuss Discussion requirements; work on Map May 23: Socratic Discussion; work on Map May 24: Work on Map |
May 13-17
This WeekImportant Due Dates/Resources:
May 15: Bell Ringer Exam May 21: Children's book due May 29: Map of Maycomb due |
May 13:
May 14: May 15: May 16: |
May 6-10
This Week:Important Due Dates/Resources:
May 15: Bell Ringer Exam May 21: Children's book due May 29: Map of Maycomb due |
May 6: Plickers Ch 16-17; Trial Notes (Heck Tate)
May 7: Read Ch 18, begin 19 May 8: Finish Ch 19; Trial Notes (Mayella Ewell, Tom Robinson) (Chapter 20-Homework) May 9: Ch 20 Plickers; Finish Trial Notes (Chapter 21-Homework) May 10: Half Day |
April 29-May 3
This Week:Important Due Dates/Resources:
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Apr 29: Mapping Maycomb
Apr 30: Read Chapter 13 May 1: Plickers Ch 13 Work on Children's books May 2: Read Chapter 14-15 May 3: Plickers Ch 15; Read Ch 16 (Chapter 17-homework) |
April 22-26
This Week:Important Due Dates/Resources:
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Apr 22: Ch 8 Plickers; Read Chapter 9
Apr 23: Read Chapter 10 Apr 24: Read Chapter 11 Apr 25: Ch 11 Plickers; Read Chapter 12 Apr 26: Mapping Maycomb work |
April 15-19
This Week:Important Due Dates/Resources:
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Apr 15: Mapping Maycomb
Apr 16: Read Chapter 7 Apr 17: Ch 6-7 Plickers; Character boxes Apr 18: Character boxes Apr 19: Read Chapter 8 |
April 8-12
This Week:Important Due Dates/Resources:
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Apr 8: Finish Ch 1; Mapping Maycomb
Apr 9: Finish Mapping Maycomb activity; Chapter 2-3 Apr 10: Chapter 4, Start Ch 5 Apr 11: No school (Cancelled-Winter Storm) Apr 12: Finish Chapter 5 (Chapter 6 as homework) |
April 1-5
This WeekImportant Due Dates/Resources:
April 3: Book Project |
Apr 1: Introduce TKAM; Characterization
Apr 2: Begin TKAM Prezi Apr 3: Watch book project videos; continue TKAM Prezi Apr 4: Finish Characterizations; Discuss final project, expectations for the unit. Apr 5: Begin reading Chapter 1 |
Unit 5: Learning the Art of Argument
Essential Questions:
1. How do I make sound arguments? 2. How do I avoid plagiarism? 3. How do I portray and present arguments? 4. What makes a good presentation? |
Essential Skills:
1. I can use research to make a sound argument. 2. I can give credit to the original author of a piece of research. 3. I can use images to portray my argument and I can use Google Slides to present my argument? 4. I can use eye contact, gestures, audience engagement, etc to present an argument. |
Essential Texts:
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March 25-29
This Week:Important Due Dates/Resources:
March 27: Bell Ringer Exam April 3: Book Project |
Mar 25: Photo Essay
Mar 26: Peer review of presentations of Photo Essay Mar 27: Bell Ringer Exam Mar 28: Peer review of presentations of Photo Essay; present photo essay Mar 29: Photo essay presentations |
March 18-22
This Week:Important Due Dates/Resources:
March 27: Bell Ringer Exam April 3: Book Project |
Mar 18: Photo Essay
Mar 19: Photo Essay Mar 20: Photo Essay Mar 21: Photo Essay Mar 22: Photo Essay |
March 11-15
This Week:Important Due Dates/Resources:
April 3: Book Project |
Mar 11: Watch Soul Surfer Videos
Mar 12: Photo Essay Introduction Mar 13: Get to know Google Slides Mar 14: Photo Essay work Mar 15: Photo Essay Topic decision due |
Unit 4: Real People Overcoming Obstacles
Essential Questions:
1. How do I determine central ideas and watch their development in information texts? 2. How do I cite evidence to support what the informational text is saying? 3. How do I determine the author's point of view and purpose in an informational text? 4. How do I compare/contrast an informational text with a video depiction of the same text? |
Essential Skills:
1. I can determine central ideas and analyze their development throughout the text. 2. I can cite evidence to support claims made in the text. 3. I can determine the author's reasoning for writing an informational text. 4. I can compare/contract a written text with a filmed production. |
March 4-8
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This Week:Important Dates:
Mar 11: Soul Surfer Videos due |
March 4: Script writing
March 5: Script writing/filming March 6: Filming March 7: Filming/editing March 8: Editing |
February 25-March 1
This Week:Important Dates:
Feb 28: Bell Ringer Exam |
Feb 25: Watch movie
Feb 26: Watch movie Feb 27: Watch movie Feb 28: Bell Ringer Exam Mar 1: Finish movie; make a plan for final project |
February 19-22
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
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Feb 19: Ch 13 Blog; Read Ch 14
Feb 20: Read Ch 15; Blog Ch 14-15 Feb 21: Finish novel; introduce final project Feb 22: Begin watching movie |
February 11-14
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
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Feb 11: Finish Ch 12 blog; Read Chapter 13
Feb 12: Chapter 13 quiz Feb 13: Introduce Book Project Feb 14: Finish Watching Trailers; check out books |
February 4-8
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Feb 4: Book Project Due |
Feb 4: Watch and vote on FlipGrids; Read Chapter 10 on own
Feb 5: Chapter 10 Blog; Read Chapter 11 and Blog Feb 6: Read Chapter 12 and Blog Feb 7: Afternoon classes cancelled Feb 8: School Cancelled |
January 28-February 1
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Feb 4: Book Project Due |
Jan 28: Chapter 9 and Blog
Jan 29: School closed Jan 30: School closed Jan 31: School closed Feb 1: Blog about Bethany's surfing; watching videos of her surfing; watching surf competitions |
January 22-25
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Feb 4: Book Project Due |
Jan 22: Chapter 7, 8 and Blog
Jan 23: Finish Chapter 8, Blog Jan 24: One-Armed Life Lab Jan 25: Discuss One-Armed Life Lab; Basketball game at 1 |
January 14-18
January 7-11
This Week: |
Jan 7: Finish Soul Surfer Blog #1; Start reading novel
Jan 8: Rea Jan 9: Jan 10: Jan 11: |
January 2-4
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Feb 4: Book Projects Due |
Jan 2: Introduce Book Project; Soul Surfer Breakout
Jan 3: Soul Surfer Breakout Jan 4: Soul Surfer Blog #1, Video |
Unit 3: Overcoming Obstacles through Poetry
Essential Questions:
1. How do authors use figurative language to help paint a picture in their writing? 2. How is poetry constructed? 3. What is poetry analysis? 4. How is poetry published? |
Essential Skills:
1. I can understand and write using figurative language. 2. I can write and understand the construction of poetry. 3. I can read, understand, and analyze poetry. 4. I can use a variety of methods to publish my poetry. |
December 17-21
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
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Dec 17: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas activity
Dec 18: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas activity Dec 19: The Grinch Dec 20: The Grinch Dec 21: The Grinch |
December 10-14
This Week: |
Dec 10: I am From poem
Dec 11: Poetry Scavenger Hunt Dec 12: Finish I am From and Poetry Scavenger Hunt Dec 13: Present I am From Poems Dec 14: Present I am From Poems |
December 3-7
This Week: |
Dec 3: Introduce Poetry
Dec 4: 6-Word Memoirs Dec 5: Author Visit: Andrew DeYoung Dec 6: TinkerCad assignment; work on 6-Word Memoir keychain creation Dec 7: Learn TinkerCad; work on 6-Word Memoir keychain creation |
Unit 2: Exploring Obstacles through The Haymeadow
Essential Questions:
1. How are themes established in texts and how do they carry throughout the text? 2. How do elements of a story (characters, setting, plot, etc) interact with one another? 3. How do authors use inferences to help the reader better understand the text? |
Essential Skills:
1. I can identify and analyze themes within texts and analyze their development throughout the course of the text. 2. I can analyze how story elements interact with each other. 3. I can identify and analyze inferences used in texts. |
Essential Texts:
1. The Haymeadow - Gary Paulsen |
November 26-30
This Week: |
Nov 26: Work on Project
Nov 27: Work on Project Nov 28: Work on Project/Watch Projects Nov 29: Real Life person overcoming struggles: Danielle Liebl Nov 30: Bell Ringer Exam |
November 19-21
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Nov 28: Video Due Nov 30: Bell Ringer Exam Dec 7: Book Project Due Project Detailed Guide Sheet Haymeadow Ch 23 Haymeadow Ch 24 Haymeadow Ch 25 |
Nov 19: Finish Novel; Discuss project in greater detail; show examples of videos
Nov 20: Literary Jenga! Nov 21: Work on Project |
November 12-16
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Nov 30: Bell Ringer Exam Dec 7: Book Project Due Haymeadow Ch 16 Haymeadow ch 17 Haymeadow Ch 18 Haymeadow Ch 19 Haymeadow Ch 20 Haymeadow Ch 21 Haymeadow Ch 22 Haymeadow Ch 23 |
Nov 12: Finish Haymeadow Blog #2; Introduce final project
Nov 13: Read Ch 16-17 Nov 14: Read Ch 18-20 Nov 15: Choose groups/scene for final project, brainstorm objects needed, etc. Nov 16: Read Ch 21-22, work on projects |
November 6-9
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Nov 30: Bell Ringer Exam Dec 7: Book Project Due Haymeadow Ch 11 Haymeadow Ch 12 Haymeadow Ch 13 Haymeadow Ch 14 Haymeadow Ch 15 |
Nov 6: Introduce book project; Read Ch 11-12
FlipGrid link to Book Project Nov 7: Introduce Haymeadow final project (partially) Nov 8: (K-12 Conferences) Nov 9: Read Ch 15; Haymeadow Blog #2 (on Blogger) |
October 29-November 2
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Nov 2: Wagon Due Dec 7: Book Project Due Haymeadow Ch 7 Haymeadow Ch 8 Haymeadow Ch 9 Haymeadow Ch 10 |
Oct 29: Recap Chapter 5-6, finish wagon document; check out books/silently read when finished
Oct 30: Read Ch 7; theme pages (explain theme and location when finished) Oct 31: Read Ch 8; Halloween parade Nov 1: Ch 9-10; Wagon work time Nov 2: Author Visit |
October 22-26
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Oct 24: Book Project Due Oct 25: Bell Ringer Exam Haymeadow Ch 1 Haymeadow Ch 2 Haymeadow Ch 3 Haymeadow Ch 4 Haymeadow Ch 5 Haymeadow Ch 6 |
Oct 22: Read Ch 1
Oct 23: Discuss Characters, Make Character charts; Read Ch 2 Oct 24: Discuss Ch 2; Make predictions for Ch. 3; Read Ch 3 Oct 25: Bell Ringer Exam (know the following word parts) Oct 26: What would you bring?; Ch 4-5 |
October 15-17
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Oct 15: Story Due Oct 24: Book Project Due |
Oct 15: Finish peer-editing short stories
Oct 16: Haymeadow pre-reading (Blog Entry) Oct 17: Haymeadow pre-reading |
Unit 1: Exploring Obstacles through Short Stories
Essential Questions:
1. How do different elements of English work together to create a good short story? 2. How does the skill of compare and contrast help readers relate themselves to the story? 3. How can textual evidence be used to further explain a point? 4. How do the 6+1 Traits of Writing work to improve writing? |
Essential Skills:
1. I can read and understand short stories by applying short story terms to reading the stories. 2. I can use the skills of compare and contrast to relate myself to a main character from a story. 3. I can use textual evidence from the story to further explain my point. 4. I fully understand and know how to use the 6+1 Traits of Writing. |
Essential Texts/Resources:
1. To Build a Fire: Jack London 2. Rip Van Winkle: Washington Irving 3. Rikki Tikki Tavi: Rudyard Kipling 4. 7th Grade: Gary Soto 5. The Lorax: Dr. Seuss 6. The Moustache: Robert Cormier 7. This is What it Means to Say Phoenix... |
October 8-12
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Oct 8: Short Story Prewriting due Oct 12: Rough draft due Oct 15: Story Due Oct 24: Book Project Due |
Oct 8: Discuss good hooks; drafting story
Oct 9: Discuss paragraphs; drafting story Oct 10: Discuss story endings; drafting story Oct 11: Individual Conferences with Gondringer Oct 12: Rough draft due; Peer/Self editing; drafting story |
October 1-5
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Oct 8: Short Story Prewriting due Oct 24: Book Project Due Short Story Final Project and Rubric |
Oct 1: Presentations on Short Story Lit Circles
Oct 2: Introduce Short Story final project Oct 3: Conferences about short story Oct 4: Work on Short Story Prewriting Oct 5: Work on Short Story Prewriting |
September 24-28
This Week:Important Dates/Resources
Sept 28: Bell Ringer Exam Oct 24: Book Project Due |
Sept 24: Read "The Lorax"
Sept 25: Short Story Lit Circles Sept 26: Short Story Lit Circles Sept 27: Short Story Lit Circles Sept 28: Bell Ringer Exam |
September 17-21
This Week:Important Dates/Resources:
Sept 28: Bell Ringer Exam Oct 24: Book Project Due |
Sept 17: Finish Story Term Flipgrids/posters
Sept 18: Watch Story Term Flipgrids; take notes Sept 19: Finish watching Flipgrids and taking notes; Plot diagrams Sept 20: Finish plot diagrams; Read 7th Grade-Gary Soto Sept 21: Read 7th Grade-Gary Soto; 7th Grade Plot Diagram |
September 10-14
This Week:Important Due Dates:
Sept 28: Bell Ringer Exam Oct 24: Book Project Due |
Sept 10: Finish draft/last sentence. Turn in draft to Google Classroom. Make copy of draft and have someone edit it. Print final drafts.
Sept 11: Finish printing final drafts; learn FlipGrid. Record and submit FlipGrid. Sept 12: Finish submitting FlipGrid. Discuss short story elements/terms. Sept 13: Short story term poster; record FlipGrid. Poster Guidelines: 1. Term big bold, in center of page 2. Definition 3. Example drawn/explained 4. Neat and Organized 5. Colored Sept 14: Finish poster. |
September 4-7
This Week:
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Sept 4: Welcome back! Classroom Expectations; License Plate
Sept 5: Classroom Expectations; Animal Paragraph introduction. What animal are you most like and why? Sept 6: Thesis Statements; Write Animal Paragraph Sept 7: Book Project Assignment; to library to check out novels; read novel |