Class Information and Expectations:
     English 7 is a one year course that will expand students' reading, writing, speaking, listening and research skills, as well as strengthen critical thinking skills. Grammar, mechanics and vocabulary will be taught as essential elements of writing.

     The top priority in 7th grade English is for students to improve their ability to express themselves in both their written and oral work. Class participation and group work are central to the success of the class. Technology plays an increasingly important role in class and for homework assignments. Writing assignments are designed to teach the rudiments of essay construction. The focus on the formal essay format benefits students in their daily writing process; it also helps them very directly in their preparation for standardized tests in the coming years.  An extensive study of grammar and vocabulary serves to improve students' writing and public speaking skills.

     Students read a wide variety of literature including essays, short stories, newspaper articles, and novels. These are used for the development of reading strategies, literary interpretation, and appreciation, as well as the models for good writing.

     The course will be made up of daily oral language (D.O.L.) exercises in the form of take home quizzes, vocabulary lessons, reading assignments, journal entries, discussion and note-taking, tests and quizzes, and essay assignments.

     Homework will be given on most nights. Homework will range from reading assignments to journal entries to specific grammar worksheets to vocabulary exercises, and will almost always be checked the following day. It is very important to keep up with all assigned materials and reading. Late assignments will automatically have 10 percentage points subtracted from the final grade, each day that they are late, with the exception of absences due to illness.