1. Welcome to 7 th Grade English Language Arts!

2. Where we’re going! Ongoing ELA Activities Wordly Wise Vocabulary Program Independent Novel Reading and Responses Ready New York CCLS Join me as we journey through the ELA curriculum!

3. A Long Walk to Water Wordly Wise Vocabulary Program Independent Novel Reading and Responses Ready New York CCLS Annotating Perfect Paragraphs Close Reading Strategies Informational Text Reading Using Text Based Evidence in Writing Identifying Literary Concepts: Tone Essay Writing

4. My Brother Sam is Dead Wordly Wise Vocabulary Program Independent Novel Reading and Responses Ready New York CCLS Annotating Perfect Paragraphs Close Reading Strategies Informational Text Reading Using Text Based Evidence in Writing Identifying Literary Concepts: Tone Essay Writing Determining Fiction from Non- fiction Main Idea/Gist Identifying Literary Elements: Point of View Argumentative Writing

5. The Outsiders Wordly Wise Vocabulary Program Independent Novel Reading and Responses Ready New York CCLS Annotating Perfect Paragraphs Close Reading Strategies Informational Text Reading Using Text Based Evidence in Writing Identifying Literary Concepts: Tone Essay Writing Determining Fiction from Non- fiction Main Idea/Gist Identifying Literary Elements: Point of View Argumentative Writing Critical Analysis of Plot Poetry Analysis/Writing Writer’s Craft and Theme

6. The Giver Wordly Wise Vocabulary Program Independent Novel Reading and Responses Ready New York CCLS Annotating Perfect Paragraphs Close Reading Strategies Informational Text Reading Using Text Based Evidence in Writing Identifying Literary Concepts: Tone Essay Writing Determining Fiction from Non- fiction Main Idea/Gist Identifying Literary Elements: Point of View Argumentative Writing Critical Analysis of Plot Poetry Analysis/Writing Writer’s Craft and Theme Creative Writing Identify Traits of Science Fiction

7. Harriet Tubman – Conductor on the Underground Railroad Wordly Wise Vocabulary Program Independent Novel Reading and Responses Ready New York CCLS Annotating Perfect Paragraphs Close Reading Strategies Informational Text Reading Using Text Based Evidence in Writing Identifying Literary Concepts: Tone Essay Writing Determining Fiction from Non- fiction Main Idea/Gist Identifying Literary Elements: Point of View Argumentative Writing Critical Analysis of Plot Poetry Analysis/Writing Writer’s Craft and Theme Creative Writing Identify Traits of Science Fiction Literary Concepts: Symbolism Point of View and Perspective Characterization Writing From Different Perspectives (response options: poem, narrative, diary entry, illustration with captions)

8. How will students be assessed? Grades will be based on the following categories: Class work (group work, and presentations) Tests and Quizzes (vocabulary quizzes, novel quizzes, unit tests) Homework (reader’s response notes/logs, vocabulary, and misc. homework) Writing (Essays, Creative Writing) One Extra Credit assignment will be offered each quarter.

9. Homework Policy: Homework must be turned in on the day it is due. Homework must be turned in on the day it is due. Any student with out the required homework will receive a R.O.C.K. Reminder for the beginning of that day’s lunch period Any student with out the required homework will receive a R.O.C.K. Reminder for the beginning of that day’s lunch period If a student attends the R.O.C.K. session, he/she may submit the homework then or in class the next day for full credit If a student attends the R.O.C.K. session, he/she may submit the homework then or in class the next day for full credit A choice not to attend the R.O.C.K. session will result in a score of zero on the assignment A choice not to attend the R.O.C.K. session will result in a score of zero on the assignment Students who are absent must check the Homework Log to find out what they missed Students who are absent must check the Homework Log to find out what they missed All needed worksheets are available in the files next to the log and on my website All needed worksheets are available in the files next to the log and on my website After checking the log, students must see me for further clarification and to create a submission timeline After checking the log, students must see me for further clarification and to create a submission timeline Students may also check my website from home in order to obtain homework before returning to school. Students may also check my website from home in order to obtain homework before returning to school.

10. Required Materials A section in a 3 ring binder and a clip in folder: The folder is for transporting all current ELA work The folder is for transporting all current ELA work This folder should travel between home and class everyday This folder should travel between home and class everyday The ELA section in the three ring binder is for filing notes and important documents for reference throughout the year The ELA section in the three ring binder is for filing notes and important documents for reference throughout the year Independent Novel and Current Class Novel: The class novel, when distributed, will be key to classroom activities and instruction The class novel, when distributed, will be key to classroom activities and instruction The independent reading novel encourages a love for reading and strengthens comprehension and critical analysis skills The independent reading novel encourages a love for reading and strengthens comprehension and critical analysis skills

11. Expectations: Students should come to class prepared with needed materials, homework, required readings, and an open mind. Students should come to class prepared with needed materials, homework, required readings, and an open mind. Students should read a minimum of 30 minutes each night Students should read a minimum of 30 minutes each night Students should strive to try their very best. Students should strive to try their very best. Students should never be afraid to say, “I don’t understand.” Students should never be afraid to say, “I don’t understand.” Students should set high goals for themselves! Students should set high goals for themselves!

12. How can I keep on top of my child’s work/progress? Ask questions about what he/she is reading Ask questions about what he/she is reading Monitor his/her work by checking my website for upcoming projects, important dates, and homework assignments Monitor his/her work by checking my website for upcoming projects, important dates, and homework assignments Check progress by looking at current grade postings Check progress by looking at current grade postings Ask to see reader’s response notes, and encourage the use of details and text based evidence Ask to see reader’s response notes, and encourage the use of details and text based evidence Utilize the Carmel Schools Website and sign up for News Flashes from my teacher website Utilize the Carmel Schools Website and sign up for News Flashes from my teacher website

13. How do I access the Carmel Schools Website and Mrs. Pennock’s website? Go to web address: www.carmelschools.com Go to web address: www.carmelschools.com www.carmelschools.com Click on the Teacher Websites link Click on the Teacher Websites link Scroll down to G.F.M.S. Scroll down to G.F.M.S. Click on Mrs. Pennock’s Website link Click on Mrs. Pennock’s Website link Click on the green link that says: Click on the green link that says: http://teacherweb.com/NY/GeorgeFischerMiddleSchool/Pennock

15. Should you wish to revisit any elements of this Power Point, it is available in the Printable Documents section of my website. Please feel free to email me with any further questions. I can be reached at: kpennock@carmelschools.org Thank you so much for coming!