• 2020-2021
    Mrs. Wilson
    7th Grade Language Arts

     

    Lbwilson@madison-schools.com

     

    OTMS PHONE NUMBER - (601) 898-8730

    Welcome to seventh grade and to what I hope will be an exciting year of Language Arts. I know we are experiencing challenging times. Please know that I am here to help your student learn and grow. I am also here to help you adjust to our "new normal" at school and with distance learning when necessary. 

     

    Throughout the year, students will be studying language mechanics, literature, poetry, and a variety of writing styles and techniques. Students will also improve skills in public speaking, listening, and critical thinking. Also, your student was introduced to my classroom rules and procedures (digital copy) today. Please review the classroom rules and consequences with your student to ensure he or she understands the classroom and school-wide expectations.

     

    Also note that if you ever have any comments, questions, or concerns, I am available for phone calls and virtual conferences (by appointment) each day before or after school. You may also contact me via email, and I will respond within 24 hours. If we have to move to distance learning, I will send out parent announcements using the Remind app.

     

    Please make sure you sign up to be an "observer" on your student's CANVAS account. This will help you ensure your student is turning in assignments on time. All assignments will be turned in via CANVAS this year. Directions for parent sign up were sent home when you checked out your student's Chromebook. If you would like a digital copy of the instructions, click the link below this letter.

     

    I am excited about working with your child. I welcome questions or comments, and I am looking forward to a great year!

     

    Sincerely,

    Lori Wilson

     

    Sign up to be an "observer" on CANVAS

      

     

    Classroom Links we will use throughout the year:

      

    A Long Walk to Water

    Ch. 1-3

     

    Vocabulary Workshop

    Unit 1 Vocabulary and Definitions
       
     

    Touching Spirit Bear

    Digital copy of the book 

     
     
     
     
     
    Freak the Mighty PDF
     
     
     
     
    Questions
     
    1. Analyze the scene when Kenny makes Max go down the stairs first. What does this tell the reader about Max’s father?
    2. Kenny Kane tells Max that he “…can’t be trusted quite yet.” What does he mean? What do you think Max will need to do to prove he can be trusted?
    3. Take a second look at what you know about Iggy and Loretta and compare it with the new information from Ch. 19. Do their actions make them good or bad people?
    4. Why do you believe Killer Kane blames Max for costing him years in prison?
    5. What is Max feeling when he says, “I’m so small and weak and he’s so big and strong, you can’t stop him…” 
     
     
     
     
    Unit 8 Vocabulary
      
     
     
    Hero Unit
      
     
    Unit 7 Vocabulary
     
    Argument Essay
     
    Scope Article
     
      
    Poetic Portrait Assignment- 
    Directions- Reread the poem "Beginning: 1920," the first entry of the book. Use it as a model to create a portrait of yourself or another person. The portrait can describe such things as how or where you were born, what you look like, what you do. Note the way Karen Hesse uses similes, comparisons with like or as (e.g. "cheekbones like bicycle handles," "mean as a rattler") in her poem.
     
    Use your own similes in the poem as you write. You must have at LEAST 3. Your completed portrait must be illustrated with photos and/or drawings. 
     
     
     
    Pele's Revenge
     
    Out of the Dust Resources
     
     
    Excerpt from A Christmas Carol
     
     
     
     
     
    Narrative Writing Examples
    • Personal Narrative 1
    • Biographical Narrative 2
    • Fictional Narrative 3
     
    Rating Narratives Activity
     
    Copy of the Independent Reading Project Guidelines
     
     
    Copy of the Writing Packet 
    ***This is worth one test grade.
     
     
     
    Essay Analysis Activity
    Examples #1-4 
     
     
     
     
    Argument Essay Resources
    Should Balloons Be Banned-- resources for writing your essay
    Yes- Video shown to the whole class 
    Yes- Source 1 
    No- Source 3 
     
     
    Paired Texts
     
     
     
    Writing Discussions and Interventions
      
     
    The list of all 60 words can be found below.
     
     
    Test on theme, POV, central idea, and context clues
     
     
    Context clues activities 1, 2, & 3
     
     
    Types of Conflict Notes
     
     
      
     
    Argumentative Essay Outline
     
     
    Informational/Expository Essay Outline
     
    I. Introduction
       a. hook
       b. background information (discuss Burmese pythons in general & tell how the presence of the snakes is changing the Everglades)
       c. thesis statement
     
    II. Body Paragraph 1
       a. Main idea and details about changes in local animals
       b. Supporting evidence
     
    III. Body Paragraph 2
       a. Main idea and details about changes in people
       b. Supporting evidence
     
    IV. Body Paragraph 3
       a. Main idea and details about changes in ecosystem
       b. Supporting evidence
     
    V. Conclusion
       a. restate the thesis statement
       b. summarize main ideas and details presented in body paragraphs 
       c. strong concluding sentence