7th Grade Language Arts

Teacher: Ms. Mary Ellen Harmeyer, mharmeyer@stclarepdx.org

Daily Oral Language/Vocabulary/Language Arts/Writing/Literature
 Language arts is a comprehensive and integrated subject. We cover grammar, punctuation, writing, vocabulary development, and literature analysis. We complete a daily practice of grammar and punctuation exercises on the Smartboard and everyone gets a chance to correct on the Smartboard. We currently are utilizing the Literature: Reading with Purpose series from Glencoe for the basis of our literature reading and analysis. We will study literary elements and traits. In addition to the anthology, we also read several novels a year.

Every month we will complete a “Quick Write,” a creative writing exercise. We will use these pieces to practice our 6+1 Writing traits, peer proofreading, editing, and rubric scoring skills. We will take the monthly writing piece to a final writing piece.

 

7th Grade Syllabus

1st Trimester

Sept. 6 – Dec. 2

 

Religion:

Blest Are We: The Story of Jesus

Chs. 1 - 6

  • The Birth of Our Savior
  • God With Us
  • Jesus Son of God, Son of Man
  • The Prayer of Jesus
  • The Kingdom of God
  • Servants of the Kingdom

 

Research project on saints

Memorization of Catholic Prayers

Mass Planning and Leading – Oct. 27

 

Literature Novels:  Shakespeare sonnets and preview of Romeo and Juliet; A Christmas Carol – in literature circles with Mrs. Napoli

 

MAZE comprehension

testing #1

 

Literature Anthology:

Unit 5: Is Progress Always Good?

 

 

Literary Elements: characterization, tone

 

 

Vocabulary

Unit 1-6

 

Grammar: review of types of sentences, subjects, verbs, clauses, phrases, commas

 

Writing Traits: thesis statements, conclusion statements; organization

 

Writing Assessment #1

 

Monthly Quick Writes

 

Library and Computer Lab

 

2nd Trimester

Dec. 5  – March 9

 

Religion:

Chs. 7-10

  • Justice in the Kingdom on Earth
  • A Prayer for the Kingdom
  • Advent Unit
  • Christmas Unit
  • Living In Christ’s Service
  • Jesus Our Eucharist

 

Original Nativity Story

Mass Planning and Leading – Jan. 26

Writing and Preparing Stations of the Cross

 

 

Literature Novels:

A Christmas Carol (con’t);The Mighty -  in literature circles with Mrs. Napoli

 

MAZE comprehension

testing #2

 

Literature Anthology:

Unit 2: How Can We Become Who We Want To Be?

 

Literary Elements: point of view, setting, conflict, autobiography

 

Valley Catholic Speech Contest: Feb. 25, 2012 (?)

 

Vocabulary

Units 7-12

 

Grammar:  nouns, pronouns, pronoun antecedants

 

Writing Traits: voice, sentence fluency

 

Writing Assessment #2

 

Monthly Quick Writes

 

Library and Computer Lab

 

 

 

3rd Trimester

March 12 – June 8

 

Religion:

Chs. 13 – 16

  • Jesus’ Persecution
  • Jesus’ Passion
  • The Resurrection and the Call to Discipleship
  • Pentecost

 

Stations of the Cross: March 16

Memorization of Mary Prayers

 

 

Fully Alive chs. 1 – 10

 

Literature Novels:  Nothing But the Truth or The Pearl in small literature groups

 

 

MAZE comprehension

testing #3

 

Literature Anthology: Unit 4: Who Influences Us and How Do They Do So?

 

Literary Elements: style, resolution, tone

 

 

Vocabulary

Units 13-15

 

Grammar: compound subjects, compound predicates;

 

Writing: word choice; persuasive techniques in media; persuasive writing; integrated project with Art on persuasive media writing

 

Writing Assessment #3

 

Monthly Quick Writes

 

Library and Computer Lab