Mrs. Saltonstall Grade 7 Literature

By the end of Grade 7 Dorset students will be able to use a variety of reading strategies in response to grade appropriate reading materials. They will be able to read for meaning by understanding the key elements of fiction and going beyond recalling the plot when responding to literature. They will be able to understand and interpret works of fiction and nonfiction by synthesis, inference and analysis.

I. Whole class novels--direct instruction, class discussion, oral reading,

reader’s theater, vocabulary work, essays (timed)

and multiple choice tests.

A.Holes

B.Classic Greek Myths

C.Number the Stars

D.The Girl Who Owned a City

E.The Diary of Anne Frank (play)

F.Waiting for the Rain

II. Humor Unit--3-4 week unit following Holocaust study. Elements of

humor are explored and different types are read.

We read Twain, O'Henry, Thurber, and others.

III. Short Story Unit-- 2 week unit of study dealing with the American

short story.

IV. Independent Reading Requirement

A. Two books per marking period

B. Responses to Literature emphasize going beyond plot--variety of formats available

C. Friday is independent reading day, books must come to class

D. State Standard- 25 books or “equivalent” per year

E. Your child should be reading for at least one half per night

V.Read Magazine and Reader's Theater

A.Emphasis on higher level comprehension skills which call for

analysis and interpretation, critical reading, understanding of

theme, and making applications and extensions of material read.

B.Plays on current issues and themes, and plays from novels

VI. Reading Workshop and Literature Circles

A.Last marking period

B.Dialogue about books in journal utilizing elements of literature

C.Small book groups with assigned jobs discuss and process books

VII. Daybook of Critical Reading and Writing

Grading System--Classwork-30%,Homework-20 %, Tests and Quiz-

35%, Independent Reading-15%.