Here's what we're currently doing in English class as of 11/6/09:

7th Grade:

We are currently in the middle of our study of Edgar Allan Poe. In addition to learning about the life and times of Poe, we will be reading and discussing "The Black Cat," "The Raven," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Masque of the Red Death." Quizzes, writing assignments, plays, and a multiple-intelligence cumulative activity are included in the unit.

8th Grade:

We are winding up our unit on litarary elements and the short story.  After reading and discussing several short stories and the accompanying literary elements, students wrote original short stories of their own. Our last activity in this unit is a Reading Circle activity in which students have chosen a story to read and discuss in a small group, and then present to the rest of the class. Following the short story unit of study, students will review direct and indirect objects before beginning a study of "Flowers for Algernon."