Welcome Parents!
Back to School Night
September 18, 2013
Nance Miller, 7th Grade
Language Arts / World History Core
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Email:
Phone: 415.389.7711 x2727
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A Few Seventh Grade Core Highlights:
In Social Studies:
§ Country Research Project and Panel Discussion November
§ History Day Research Project and Panel Discussion April
§ Many simulations throughout the year
In Language Arts:
§ SLAM Poetry! November
§ Drama practice with Kitty and Scott January
(thank you KIDDO!)
§ Class Production of a Shakespeare play! February
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Course Overviews
Language Arts
We will be working on all levels of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. We will read short stories, novels, essays, poetry, stories, and a play. Students will learn how to recognize and interpret plot, conflict, theme, setting, and methods of characterization and learn to identify literary devices such as symbolism, irony, foreshadowing, and figurative language. Vocabulary development will be an integral part of our study. In addition to works read by the whole class, students are required to read novels independently and to analyze these books using techniques taught in class.
Writing assignments will include but will not be limited to: literary response essays, summaries, first hand biographies, book reviews, poetry, and creative writing pieces. The Bay Area Writing Project model will be used in the writing process. The steps of pre-writing, writing, response, editing, and revision will lead to “final draft” pieces. We will focus on developing writing strategies and skills and supporting ideas and opinions with evidence. The conventions of writing, including grammar, spelling, and mechanics, will be taught throughout the year. All students will end the year with a Writing Portfolio of finished final draft pieces.
Independent Reading
In Language Arts during the first trimester we will focus on short stories read in class. Your child may be asked to reread these stories at home for a deeper understanding and complete literary analysis assignments related to the stories. (If there is still reading time left, please encourage your child to read independently.) During the second and third trimesters, the focus will shift to independent novels that your child will read at home.
Basic Texts:
The Language of Literature, McDougal Littell
The Little World: A Collection of Short Stories, edited by P. Guthrie and M. Paige
The Write Source, Houghton Mifflin
Social Studies
Areas: the Islamic Civilization, Africa, Europe, China, Japan, the Americas
Time period: from the Fall of Rome until the French Revolution
Each unit of study will include a focus on geographical literacy, vocabulary development, non-fiction reading strategies, note-taking skills, cooperative group work, and the ability to make connections between the past and present. Students will perform a variety of activities to deepen their understanding of the diverse cultural centers we study and their historical significance, including individual research projects and exam preparation. Some projects will require weekend homework.
We will use a variety of primary and secondary sources to supplement our seventh grade textbooks, including material from the Teachers’ Curriculum Institute’s History Alive! Program and Fordham University. Our program incorporates Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory, utilizes cooperative group work to improve social skills, and underscores Jerome Bruner’s belief that all students can learn through a spiral curriculum: “Through a spiral curriculum students learn progressively more difficult steps through step-by–step discovery.” The program includes simulations of historical events, or experiential exercises, that allow students to feel the drama of the past.
Basic Texts:
Across the Centuries, Houghton Mifflin
History Alive!: The Medieval World and Beyond, Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Asking for Help—
Encourage your child to ask me for help when needed. I am available to all students at the following times to get help or just to talk. If these times do not work, I will gladly schedule an appointment.
Tips to help with homework
§ Check in with your child daily about school.
§ Look at your child’s Panther Planner and talk about when assignments are due. Discuss how to prioritize and manage time.\
§ Check our class web site. Assignments are all posted there, along with a printable version of any papers given. There is also a brief explanation and any helpful links.
§ Make sure your child has a consistent time and a comfortable spot without distractions to do homework.
§ Don’t throw out any work. Make sure to back-up your computers to avoid lost files. Students will assemble portfolios at the end of the year and they will need all work.
§ It is extremely helpful if your child has an email account to email files back and forth between home and school. This also helps if there is a printer problem—your child can simply email the homework and print it at school.
§ Don't let your child get overwhelmed. Please let me know immediately if your child is having difficulty completing homework.
§ If your child gets writer’s block, talk to him or her. A good conversation usually releases enough good ideas to complete an assignment.
§ Encourage your child to get plenty of exercise and plenty of rest.
§ Make sure your child has an organized binder and a complete set of supplies: Black fine-tip pens for mapping (3)
Highlighters (2)
Pencils, pens and erasers (plenty)
Hand-held pencil sharpener (1)
Binder paper (plenty)
§ Contact me immediately if you have any concerns or just want to let me know something. I welcome all communication.
How to get a hold of me:
I prefer email at
But, you may also call me at 415.389.7711 x2727.
Or, send me a note with your child.
Thanks for your support. I look forward to a great year!
Sincerely,
Nance Miller