by Mrs. Janet Kimball, Middle School English Literature Teacher
ENGLISH & LITERATURE - GRADES 6 & 7:
Students in Grades 6 and 7 have learned several writing techniques to enhance their written expression. Both groups have completed several essays as they add more skills to their ability to write meaningfully.
As a follow-up to the class novel, The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis, Grade 6 students completed projects of their choice including posters, letters, essays, and memory books designed to express their understanding. After watching a movie of “The Watsons”, they will also write essays comparing the book to the movie.
Grade 7 students read the novel The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen and learned about the Holocaust during World War II through the story of a young girl celebrating the Passover Seder with her family who is mysteriously swept into the horrors of the Nazi invasion of Poland. They created projects including posters, dioramas, and poems to further enhance their understanding.
For their independent reading assignments, all students will select books from the genres of adventure or mystery. Each student will complete a graphic organizer and present their findings to their respective classes to demonstrate understanding.