students learn to work with editors and consult a variety of resources to improve their thinking and writing.
The language arts component of the block will focus on teaching students to read, listen, think, write, and speak effectively in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes. Literature studies and social studies experiences will serve as the catalyst for students’ reading, listening, thinking, writing and speaking experiences.
Seventh grade social studies explores early American and U.S. history to just after the Revolutionary War. Facets of our study will include: European influences of American history, the first Americans, exploration and early American settlements, colonial life, events leading to the war, the costs and gains of war, The Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, the U.S. Constitution, and roots of contemporary political parties and social issues.
Homework for the block will include independent outside reading and 15-20 minutes of writing, skills or social studies work most every school night. Use the 7th Grade Daily Assignments page to stay up to date with daily assignments.
Your child’s grade will be based on his or her daily effort in class, keeping planner up-to-date/detailed in all classes, progress toward individual reading and writing goals, quizzes, formal writing and projects. Because writing, reading and thinking skills improve with effort and practice, students who make an honest effort to do the work as assigned will receive grades of ‘A’ or ‘B’.
Follow this link to see a sample rubric that I use to evaluate student thinking and writing efforts. Formal reports, essays and projects will each have a similar rubric or scoring guide that will be given to students while work is still in progress. The rubrics/scoring guides are designed to be mostly self explanatory and should be followed carefully by the student to earn the grade they desire. Check the 7th Grade Daily Assignments page for any current projects and links to their rubrics.
Work missed due to excused absence should be completed according to Evergreen's make-up policy outlined in the student planner. Any other missed work should be completed within two days of the original deadline and will receive 60% of the original grade. After two days, a parent must request missed work by phone or in writing so that I can be sure you are aware of any poor habits your child may be developing.
Follow this link to a printable Word document of the Reading Verification Form (RVF). Please review this with your child. The RVF is collected every other Friday starting with the first on September 21st. During the year feel free to print copies of the RVF off this site if needed. The primary goal for the independent reading program is to encourage your child to develop a lifelong reading habit.
I am available to discuss my program with you in person or over the phone (228-4799) weekdays from 10:30 to 12:00 and after 2:50. Or you can email me at akohler@cvsd.org.
