Course Description: English 7 core elements include writing, research, oral and written conventions and listening and speaking skills. Students will use the writing process to compose a variety of written texts (original stories, poetry, letters, persuasive essays and research) with clear ideas, coherent organization and sufficient detail. One major work will be read each semester.
Friendly Reminder: Students scoring 69 or below on any test may schedule a tutoring session. After the tutoring session, the student may retake test for a grade up to 70 May 1-19: Students are working in small groups to discuss self-selected novels. We will be exploring characterization, tone, mood, style in the novel. Students will also be writing a literary analysis about several topics. It is a great time to share ideas and discuss theme with a group of peers.
April 3-28: Students will begin the writing process for a persuasive essay. 7th graders love to share their opinions and support it with interesting facts. This is one of my favorite units to teach. Students must have their novels for literary discussions by April 21st. All information may be found on Google Classroom.
March 27-31: Students will take STAAR writing test on Tuesday. I am proud of how hard students have worked this year to improve writing and understand conventions. I look forward to seeing how amazing they do on upcoming test. Please remember to buy healthy breakfast food before Tuesday. Students will begin persuasive writing this week in class.
March 21-24: Students will complete last minute lessons before taking STAAR writing test next week. I am proud of how hard students have worked this year to improve writing and understand conventions. I look forward to seeing how amazing they do on upcoming test. Please remember to buy healthy breakfast food for next week's testing days.
March 6-10: Students will analyze expository essays focusing on identifying complexity in the essay . Students will analyze 7th grade essays that receive a top-notch score for the STAAR test last year. We are also focusing on the importance of the controlling idea in their writing. Students are also revisiting core convention concepts.
Feb 6-17: Students will write expository essays focusing on incorporating complexity to the essay by using writing tools such as: analogies, similes, metaphors, etc. Students will analyze 7th grade essays that receive a top-notch score for the STAAR test last year. We are also focusing on the importance of the controlling idea in their writing.
Jan 23-Feb 3: Students will begin writing literary analysis of poetry discussed in class. Students will analyze a published author's use of poetic devices and techniques in poetry and make educated inferences. Students are expected to write multi-paragraph analysis using text evidence to support stance. We are also focusing on key concepts that will be tested on upcoming STAAR test. Students will have a quick warm up at the beginning of class to assess their knowlege. If a student is having difficulty with these concepts, I will have tutoring sessions available to assist students. My goal is for 100% of my students to receive Advanced on upcoming STAAR test. :)
Jan 17-20: Students continue a poetry unit. Students will analyze a published author's use of poetic devices and techniques in poetry. After completing poetry stations, student will finalize personal poems which will be turned in for a grade.
Jan 9-13: Students begin a poetry unit. Students will analyze a published author's use of poetic devices and echniques in poetry. Students will model these wrtiting techniques in their own poem. All about Me collage is due on Monday (A-Day) and Tuesday (B-day)
December 5-16: Students continue writing an imaginative story. Students will particpate in writer's workshop to reflect on published author's use of writing techniques. Students will model these wrtiting techniques in their own essay. . Students continue to focus on phrases and clauses. ( adjectival and adverbial clauses). Students continue to write using simple, compound, and complex sentence structures. Students will complete the reading of Where the Red Fern Grows. A socratic seminar discussion will take place to evaluate students understanding and depth of knowledge of the novel. The English mid-term exam will cover all concepts taught up to this point in class. Please refer to BMSN web page to see specific testing dates and times.
Nov. 1-11: Students begin a unit on writing letters. Word choice, format, and content will be the focus of letter writing lessons. Students will write letters to BMSN teachers or staff members and a soldier. Students continue to focus on phrases and clauses. ( adjectival and adverbial clauses). Students continue to write using simple, compound, and complex sentence structures. We also began reading Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls this week. Students have been given a tentative reading schedule. Most reading and annotations will be done outside of class.
October 17-31: Students continue to draft, revise and edit an expository essay. Word choice, organization, controlling idea, sentence structure and imagery will be the focus of this essay. Students are focusing on learning about phrases and clauses. This nine weeks students will focus on adjectival and adverbial clauses and appositive phrases. We continue to write using simple, compound, and complex sentence structures.
October 10-14: Students will take a revising and editing test on October 11th (A-Day) or 12th (B-Day). Students are prewriting and drafting an expository essay. Word choice, organization, controlling idea, sentence structure and imagery will be the focus of this essay.
|
|
October 3-7: Students will focus on expository writing and editing skills. Students began brainstorming and prewriting of expository essay. Simple, compound, and complex sentences will be practiced. Students will write using a variation of these types of sentences. Students will create a controlling idea for their upcoming essay.
September 19-30: Students completed the writing process for their personal narrative this week. For the next few weeks students will focus on expository writing and editing skills. Prepositions were introduced to students. Students will create a preposition poem revealing both depth of thought and complexity in the theme. Simple, compound, and complex sentences will be introduced. Students will write using a variation of these types of sentences.
September 6-16: Students have brainstormed ideas about about personal stories that impacted their lives. This week students will begin revising for precise word choice and edit for punctuation. Students will plan out narrative story on a plot diagram and begin drafting in class. The "Parts of Speech Stories" that students wrote were fabulous! I will post some pictures after I receive permission from students.
August 22-September 2: Welcome to Mrs. Murrah's Pre-AP English class!! The first two weeks of class students will familiarize themselves with writing goals, interests, expectations of writing class etc. The first essay will be a personal narrative. Students will begin brainstorming about personal stories that impacted their lives. I love getting to know my students through their writing. Students make me laugh, cry, sigh, gasp and a plethora of other emotions as they share important events in their lives. Thank you for sharing your beautiful child with me. My goal is to enhance their understanding of literature, improve their writing skills, and provide a safe, respectful environment to learn and grow. I am looking forward to a fantastic year!
Remind is a great tool to help you be informed about upcoming assignments. Participants in your class can receive announcements by text, app, web, and email. I will give you information on how to join in class.
Remind is a great tool to help you be informed about upcoming assignments. Participants in your class can receive announcements by text, app, web, and email. I will give you information on how to join in class.