TeacherWeb

Ms. Vataj (Mrs. Pennock) - 8th grade ELA



Top Divider

 

Unit Overview

 
Reader's/Writer's Workshop
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
  • What are the habits of good readers and writers?
  • How does reading and writing help me to better understand myself, my community, the world, and my place in each?
  • How can we use reading strategies to write critically about literature?
Our first unit will focus on improving independent reading skills and exploring appropriate and productive ways to write down our reading reflections in a writer's notebook format.  We will utilize these skills to assist us in expository essay writing.  Students will discover the EZ Essay Format and will use the format to respond to various written prompts. We will  also work on strengthening our vocabulary and grammar skills throughout this and all other units.
Our first novel will be a group novel titled They Cage the Animals at Night.  Students will be assigned nightly reading from this text as well as written reflections.  Class participation will focus around the readings, so students must arrive to class having read the assigned chapters.  Class activities will revolve around discussion and written critical responses to the novel and accompanying materials.
 
Upon the completion of "They Cage the Animals at Night," students will begin selecting independent reading novels from our vast classroom library.  Nightly reading and written reflections will continue. 
 
 


Bottom Divider

TeacherWeb
Last Modified: Monday, September 07, 2009
©2010 TeacherWeb, Inc.