1. Grade 7 Oceana Team Jennifer Gula Ext. 258
Language Arts
Grade 7
Oceana Team
Jennifer Gula Ext. 258

2. Novels: The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Nothing But The Truth by Avi
Letters From Rifka by Karen Hesse
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Additional self selected novels: mystery,
biography, and autobiography

3. Literature Activities
Reading Responses shared in Literature Circles
Plotlines
Open-responses
Character sketches
Vocabulary in context activities
Oral presentations

4. Junior Great Books Areas of Focus: Critical thinking skills Writing
Shared Inquiry Discussion – All ideas
must be supported with evidence from
the text.

5. Empowering Writers
Emphasis on expository writing using The Writing Process
Grammar instruction is embedded in the novel units and taught in the context of writing activities.
6 six paragraph essays
Models
Direct instruction during each part of an essay
Writing Conferences held with students
Scored using a two page rubric
Writing portfolio shared at Parent Conferences

6. Writing Opportunities – (cont.)
Descriptive writing: poetry, character sketches, journal entries
Narrative writing: plot summaries, personal experience essays, short stories
Persuasive Writing: Cape Cod Times Essay Contest

7. Rebecca Sitton Spelling Program
Students are provided with a list of grade seven priority words (top 130 words used in the English language) – 2 points are deducted if these words are misspelled on writing assignments
Each unit focuses on a specific concept (Ex. prefixes and suffixes), and the words reappear in subsequent units.
Independent spelling lists – generated from spelling units and student writing

8. Grading: Tests and essays: 35% Quizzes and open-responses: 35%
Classwork:15% (work completed in class with teacher direction and feedback)
Homework: 15%
* X2 Program – Grades are posted online.
* Rubrics and models are provided for
all assignments.
*Extra help sessions – Wednesday
8:00 – 8:50

9. Homework: Homework will not be accepted late – School Policy
Assigned four-five nights per week
Average of 20 – 30 minutes per night
Begin homework in class
Written on the board every day to be copied into the planner
Homework Hotline: (508) Ext. 359
Homework Online:
Homework Buddy

10. Questions?