Heritage Grove Middle School 20182019 Dr D S

Heritage Grove Middle School 2018/2019 Dr. D. S. Williams 6 th Grade General and Honors ELA Create Small Moments that Change the World

Elizabeth & Olivia & Adalynn

The Art of Language v Resource: Pearson Common Core Literaturea collection of short stories (Anthology)Grade 7 v Vocabulary: Academic lists pulled from resource v Stems: Word Within a Word Lists #1 -#5 v www. quizlet. com

Our Literature Books are Online… Go the HGMS Webpage. Click on “Resources” go to Pearson Bridge, type in id# then the password is last name in ALL CAPS

Username: Student. ID# Password: Student Last Name in ALL CAPS

Click on the class section and then common core grade 7

Office 365 Used to share documents and projects Username is--id#@psd 202. org Password is----sillyword

The Art of Language Emphasis on writing, reading, listening, and speaking; Being able to communicate ideas. Students should show progress in their literary skills this year through critical thinking and problem solving. Instruction is presented in a 55 minute block of time using various brain-based research activities to keep students engaged.

Composition Notebook Used for responses to bell ringers and close reading activities. Also houses the 40 book challenge where students keep a list of the books they have read and other documentation for reading, such as the book commercial checklist. We will also put in anchor charts for reference and studying.

Curriculum Compacting Students work independently after taking a pretest to determine where they are with their grammar skills. (WAG) When the student has completed practice problems with accuracy, then he/she takes the post test for that part of speech. Students should work progressively and use their time wisely during compacting. Teacher facilitates mini-lessons and instruction with flexible groupings.

Writing LA teachers teach the universal qualities of effective writing through whole-class mini-lessons: 6+1 Traits Techniques/Strategies/Grammar/Word usage/Note-taking Common challenges Individual techniques, skills, conventions, etc. through one-on-one conferences and individual goal-setting Students write from different genres to build their portfolio and focus on the writing process. This will coordinate with activities from their close reading of the short stories in the anthology.

Vocabulary is taught through the academic words found in the resource. We practice in groups using Kagan structures and word games. We also incorporate the Greek/Latin stems lists using the Word Within a Word series. Tests alternate between weeks – one week stems test, next week vocabulary test, third week grammar test, repeat.

Reading The major predictor of academic success – not just in reading, but in science and math as well – is the amount of time a student spends reading. Top 5% of U. S. students read up to 144 times more than the bottom 5% Therefore, we spend much time READING!

40 Book Challenge Students are encouraged to read 40 + books this year All books are student self-selected Some students might not read 40 books, but they certainly can try. Teachers will monitor student reading in class through student conferences. Student should read 20 minutes each evening. Book commercials will be shared every Friday. Each student will share at least one per quarter. They will sign up for their day.

Guest Reader If you would like to come in and read a chapter of your favorite book to the class, just send me an e-mail and I can schedule you. Simply choose a Teen Read, or picture book, or graphic novel to share with the class and read the first chapter or so. Students love to hear from another adult!

Communication E-mail is the best way to keep in touch – dwilliams@psd 202. org Phone is 815 -439 -4810 X 3079 Notes in agenda book