Grade 7 Language Arts Curriculum Outline

 

 

 

 

 

Cheryl Waterfield

 

cwaterfield@hrsb.ca

 

 

 

Phone: 827-4666

 

Grade 7 Web Page:https://swylde.jimdo.com

 

 

 

To access the English curriculum outcomes, refer to the Department of Education website at www.ednet.ns.ca and go to “Document Depot”.

 

 

 

Grading Language:

 

  • 90-100% The student demonstrates excellent understanding and application of concepts and skills in relation to the learning outcomes.
  • 80-80% The student demonstrates very good understanding and application of concepts and skills in relation to the learning outcomes.
  • 70-79% The student demonstrates good understanding and application of concepts and skills in relation to the learning outcomes.
  • 60-69% The student demonstrates satisfactory understanding and application of concepts and skills in relation to the learning outcomes.
  • 50-59% The student demonstrates minimal understanding and application of concepts and skills in relation to the learning outcomes.
  • Below 50% The student has not met minimum requirements of the course.

 

 

 

Course Overview:

 

 

 

As in previous years, the English Language Arts program explores three areas:

 

  • speaking and listening
  • reading and viewing
  • writing and representing

 

 

 

The following timeline is a rough estimate of what students will be doing and when. It will change throughout the year depending on student needs.

 

 

 

September: Introduction/class routines/time capsule/read aloud (Wonder -701 and 702,

 

Love That Dog -703 and 704)

 

October/November/December: Finish read alouds/reader’s workshop with a focus on text features, reading strategies, and short story elements/writer’s workshop with a focus on organization, formatting and paragraphing.

 

January/February/March: Novel study – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas/ integrated English/social studies unit on essay writing.

 

 

 

April/May/June: Poetry (reading and writing)/cartooning/storyboards

 

 

 

Many English activities will be integrated throughout the year with the other subject areas.

 

 

 

Assessment and Evaluation:

 

 

 

Assessment activities will be designed for students to demonstrate what they have learned and to communicate their understanding of the grade 7 English Language Arts outcomes. Assessments will be varied and will include but not be limited to:

 

  • rubrics
  • oral and written presentations/assessments
  • process writing and published pieces from writer’s workshop
  • reading response logs and records
  • teacher observations
  • class participation

 

Students will receive a percentage grade for each of the three strands every term, and will be assessed on individual outcomes using the 4 point scale.

 

 

 

Homework:

 

Homework will be assigned and written in your student’s agenda when it is necessary for them to complete or practice class work at home. Please check and sign daily. As well, students in grade 7 should be reading for at least 20 minutes, 4 times a week to increase general knowledge and to improve vocabulary. This will be a homework requirement by the first of October and students will have a reading log in their agendas to keep track of their reading at home.

 

 

 

Student Success:

 

  • It is essential students come to class prepared all year. It is not unusual for students to run out of pencils or to have binders with broken rings by January, making it difficult for them to get their work done.
  • Students are responsible for missed work. They should see me as soon as possible following an absence, especially if it is extended.
  • Sometimes the more I know about a student the better equipped I am to help them. We all have bad days. If something is going on in your child’s life that may affect their learning, please let me know.
  • Students are encouraged to make responsible decisions around their personal health and nutrition. It is important they come to school well rested with breakfast and lunch. Please let the school know if we can offer support to your child in this area.
  • Please support our cell phone policy by not trying to contact your child while they are in class. Contact can always be made through the school secretary.
  • Finally, your child’s success in school is a team effort. Please stay in touch.