Mr. Schneider
 

   

 

McLEAN SCHOOL of MARYLAND

Middle School

 

7th Grade Literature

 

Greg Schneider

gschneider@mcleanschool.org

 

Overview:

 

7th Grade Literature is a course planned to teach students how to think critically; how to question, critique, and evaluate works of literature; how to successfully navigate our information rich community; and how to make connections between works of literature, ourselves, and our world. One of our main goals in 7th Grade Literature is to foster independence in student readers. This includes their work ethic and their critical thinking skills about literature. Students should continually ask questions when reading and analyze literature by going beyond literal meanings. This is done by discussing an author’s point of view, the theme of a work of literature, making inferences, drawing conclusions, and summarizing.  In addition to reading, students will use the writing process to begin writing literary essays with a thesis or topic and support from the text. Students are also encouraged to choose independent reading in different genres to challenge and grow their reading skills and strategies. Students are evaluated through exams, class projects, book reports, chapter summaries, reading strategies worksheets, oral reading and fluency, and class participation and discussion.

 

Grading:

 

Friday Reading Packets (in class):                                                    30%

Tests, Quizzes, and Book Projects:                                                  30%

Daily Independent Reading/Reading Logs (Homework):                   20%

In Class Reading and Discussion:                                                     20%

 

General Syllabus:

 

First Quarter:                         Things Not Seen, Andrew Clements

                                                 

Second Quarter:                   The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton

                                               

 

Third Quarter:                       The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, John Boyne

                                               

Coraline, Neil Gaiman

 

Fourth Quarter:                    Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor

 

 

Other books to be determined based upon class interest, scheduling, etc. (Possible additional selections include The Miracle Worker, William Gibson, New Found Land, Allan Wolf, and Godless, Pete Hautman)                                  

 

 

Reading Strategies for Active Readers

 

Some Strategies to Use Before Reading

These activate past knowledge and experience.

 


v      Brainstorm/Categorize

v      Predict/Support

v      Preview/Skim

v      Pose Questions

v      Fast-Write

v      Pre-teach Vocabulary

v      What Do I Know? What’s New?

v      Visualize/Recall Other Sensory Experiences


 

Some Strategies to Use During Reading

These enable students to make personal connections, visualize,

identify parts that confuse, monitor understanding, and recall information.

 


Ø      Make Personal Connections

Ø      Use Prior Knowledge

Ø      Predict/Support/Adjust or Confirm

Ø      Pose Questions

Ø      Identify Confusing Parts

Ø      Visualize

Ø      Self-Monitor for Understanding

Ø      Summarize

Ø      Synthesize

Ø      Reread

Ø      Use Context Clues

Ø      Infer

 

Some Strategies to Use After Reading

These enlarge past knowledge, deepen understanding and engagement with text, and can create connections to other texts.

 


*      Reread

*      Question

*      Skim

*      Visualize

*      Evaluate and Adjust Predictions

*      Reflect Through: Talking, Writing, Drawing

*      Infer: Compare/Contrast, Cause/Effect, Conclude, Theme

*      Note-taking

*      Summarize

*      Synthesize


 

 

 

 

What You Can Do to Help:

 

One of our main goals at McLean is to foster independence in students. This includes their work ethic and their thinking. I do not mind if parents or tutors are involved in students’ learning, as that works toward our goal of teaching. Nevertheless, it is not in a child’s best interest to think or plan for them. These are primary skills they need to develop. There are, however, specific ways to help your child.

 

 

Ø      Ask questions when reading with or to a student.

Ø      Analyze literature with them by going beyond literal meanings.

Ø      Provide adequate time and space to complete assignments thoroughly.

Ø      Review essays and book reports by asking questions or offering suggestions, but please do not rewrite sections for them.

Ø      Foster a positive attitude about the school, teachers, and assignments.

Ø      Allow them to make mistakes.

Ø      Expect them to be responsible about getting independent reading books, and completing assignments.

 

 

 

Books on Tape:

 

Books on tape can be great tools. Students who use them should follow along with the text, especially if they are only listening once. For reinforcement, sometimes it is helpful for students to listen to the story before or after reading it on their own. Please be aware, some titles students may select for their independent reading will be more difficult to find in recorded form. Be sure to allow time for your orders.