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Welcome to the world of literacy!
.....where we read and read and read.....and so become better readers.
In Reading 7 and Literature 8, students read a variety of fiction to broaden their literacy experience and knowledge
base. After completing these two courses, students will have worked with the following types of fiction: historical
fiction, science fiction, fantasy, contemporary realistic fiction, survival fiction, mystery, biographical fiction, and classical
fiction including mythology.
Research shows that people who read a lot become more fluent and develop an enjoyment for reading. To increase comprehension, students need large chunks of time to read with minimal distractions, opportunities to reflect on what they read and to respond to what they read, and some choice in what they read. The more they consider their personal reactions to characters and plot lines, the more they visualize and make connections between literature and their lives, the more comprehension and enjoyment will develop. In Reading and Literature classes, students reflect and write in journals, they reflect and write reports or create projects, they reflect and participate in discussions.
In Reading, students will read three class novels, several independent novels, and examine some literary
terms and topics. Projects are created for four free reading novels and are chosen from a list of options. The first
book project will be due Dec. 16th. Novels used for projects are checked out from our LMC or Mrs. K's room
and must be approved. Currently, students are finished reading The Adventures of Ulysses, by Bernard Evslin,
as a class. In Literature, students also study three class novels and read novels for book reports, as well as study several literary terms. The book report has a specific, required, 6-paragraph format and is written about an approved free reading fiction selection checked out from our LMC or my room. The due date for the first rough draft is Dec. 11th*. Once I have returned their edited draft, they have 4-5 class days to type a final copy. Currently, students are finished reading The Contender, by Robert Lipsyte, as a class. *** For additional information about the 7th grade book projects or the 8th grade Literature reports, see the link to those in this website. High school English electives that I teach include Mythology, Short Story, and Individualized Reading. Mythology is designed to enrich students' understanding of language, vocabulary, and allusions; and students will examine the effects of this literature on human nature and the hero's journey. Myths are universal, occurring in almost all cultures. They have serious purposes and importance to a culture, dealing with basic questions about the nature of the world and of human experience. This course will involve intensive study of the myths, sagas, and legends of a variety of cultures. It involves a considerable amount of reading, writing, and note-taking. Short Story gives students the opportunity to experience and enjoy the world of short stories. Students will read extensively. They will discuss literary terms and their application in a variety of short stories. Active participation in class discussion is required, as well as some written responses to the literature. Individualized Reading gives students the chance to read extensively, enjoy reading, and increase their reading skills. They will set personal reading goals, read a variety of literature, record what they read, and conference frequently.
In December, ask your 7th grader about life far into the
future. They are listening to the story of Jonas, who lives hundreds of years in the future, in a time when scientific
advancements have made some amazing things possible. However, Jonas is faced with quite a dilemma as he is trained for
his career. Ask what they are surprised by as they listen to the science fiction novel The Giver. In December, ask your 8th grader about the effects of radiation in the environment. They are listening to the story of Anne, who has been living on her own for a year, apparently the only person to survive the nuclear attack, and living safely on a farm in a valley. Then someone appears over the ridge, walking, searching for life anywhere. Ask them what is happening in Z for Zachariah.
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