1. English Language Arts 7 Mrs. Luders Team 6

2. A Sample of 7 th Grade Literature Fiction: ◦ Short Stories  Thank You M’am  Zebra  Rikki Tikki Tavi  After Twenty Years  Retrieved Reformation ◦ Novels  The Contender  Fever 1793 Non-Fiction:  Looking for America  The Noble Experiment  Offerings at the Wall  Names / Nombres  Growing Up

3. Literature (continued) Poetry:  Love That Dog  A Time to Talk  To You  Good Hot Dogs  Casey at the Bat  Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Drama:  A Christmas Carol Author Study:  O. Henry

4. Writing Assignments ◦ friendly letter ◦ business letter ◦ narrative essay ◦ expository essay ◦ compare & contrast response ◦ creative writing ◦ literature response

5. Independent Reading Projects ◦ Graphic Novel ◦ Mystery ◦ Biography / Autobiography ◦ Magazines ◦ Award Winning Book ◦ Historical Fiction ◦ Science Fiction

6. Summer Reading Assignment ◦ Student may choose to read ANY 2 Reading Counts books.  It MUST be a book that the student has NEVER read before as well as a READING COUNTS book!  If the student has taken the RC Quiz for that book in the past and either failed it 3 times or passed it with flying colors, he/she CAN NOT take that quiz again! ◦ Complete one graphic organizer for each book (total of 2!). ◦ Take the corresponding Reading Counts quiz (in the LMC) to prove your understanding of the books. ◦ Complete an in-class writing assignments in ELA class to summarize the events from your book. Due Dates : ◦ Reading Counts Quiz - September 29 th during class ◦ In Class Writing Assignment - September 26 th & 27 th

7. Hints to help your child succeed: According to a CNN report on May 25, 2006, when it comes to academic collegiate success, there is one skill more than any other that separates the A students from the C students: the ability to handle complex reading. Please encourage your child to read! Your child should be reading for a minimum of 20 minutes a day. DEAR (drop everything and read) is a perfect time! Demonstrate an interest in homework. Ask to see your child’s planner and completed assignments! Your child’s ELA binder should be updated on a regular basis. Your child has a record of all his or her grades on the table of contents of his or her binder.

8. NYS 7 th Grade ELA Exam Test Dates: April 17 & 18, 2012 Make-up Dates: April 19 & April 20

9. Contact Information Email: ◦ pluders@hamburgschools.org Website: ◦ Updated periodically with assignments. Telephone: ◦ Call the Main Office (646-3250) and leave a message for Mrs. Luders. I will call you back.