"Words are our most
inexhaustible source of magic."
-J.K. Rowling
It’s on! We launched our Argumentative Writing unit last week. I’m sure everyone can agree that 7th graders have a natural tendency toward argument! It’s an absolute joy to teach students to back up their claims with evidence and fight for what they believe in. Ask your students what topic they have chosen to research and write about. This big-hearted group is poised and ready to champion their causes and learn that their words can make a difference.
By the way, I need our book club novels returned to Dartmouth at your earliest convenience. Just swing by campus anytime between 8:30 and 5:00pm and drop it in the box outside the office labeled, “Dragons.” Make sure to write your name, my name, and ELA class period on note tucked in the text so I can check you off the list. Thanks! Last week off was s-w-e-e-t! Hope you all enjoyed a little down-time with your families.
I finished grading our Literary Analysis work from Book Clubs over break. It was so rewarding to read everyone’s observations and original thinking about the books we enjoyed together. You students got it! Reading a book is far more about internalizing the text and making connections, than simply regurgitating the plot line in a succinct way. It’s one of the reasons I love to teach 7th grade; we make the leap early from elementary school to high school style writing and thinking. I was very proud to see my students embrace the practice and demonstrate it in their writing. Up next: Argumentative Writing We’ll be kicking off this week with the KDS test. This test is designed to evaluate students’ comprehension of 7th grade ELA standards. While still addressing all of our learning goals, this year the exam has been scaled back so that it can be completed in one class period. I’ll use the results to guide my teaching for the balance of the school year.
With our testing complete, we will close the week with an assignment to showcase creativity and enjoy a fun, collaborative activity to celebrate our book club novels. Next week is President’s Week. Students, if you're behind on your Independent Reading, take advantage of the extra time and lose yourself in a new book. Remember book club novels will not count toward Q3 Independent Reading goals, you know, because you didn't read them independently. Q3 pages and responses are due March 11th. Have a great week off! |
AuthorBeth Fabiano - Busy 7th Grade ELA teacher, wife, mother Archives
May 2021
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