English Language Arts

Welcome Back!! I am very excited to be joining the 7th grade team! I'm looking forward to an exciting year teaching English Language Arts; incorporating reading and writing experiences into the integrated Environmental science units taught at 7th grade.

I. Choice Reading:

• 1. Independent Reading will be part of the required content for ELA each quarter. You can read what you like. You can read books, listen to audio books, or there are many options in this Peardeck by the amazing Mrs. Schmitz and in this reading resources document. For the first quarter the Independent Choice Reading will focus on the themes of Identity, Culture and growing up. By the third week, September 21 each student should have a choice book for Independent Reading.

  2. There are no quantity requirements. I am not asking for any certain number of minutes or pages or books. I just ask that you read. Remember, the more you read, the smarter you grow!

  3. Share your thinking about what you’re reading with me. I will give you due dates for this in the Google Classroom. Please use the Classroom post to “turn-in” your short response comprehension checks. You can choose any option from the menu of choices. This includes having a conversation with me via zoom. Feel free to propose an idea if you don’t see what you like on the list.

Short thematic non-fiction and fiction readings: Read/listen to an assigned reading for the week which will be assigned during synchronous lessons each week.

Writing: Each week with virtual learning, students will write short responses and/or do Focused note taking on an assigned reading. We will do some nature writing that ties into the Environmental science units that Mr. Ropa teaches in Science. During the last two weeks of the first quarter, students will write an essay about their Identity and Culture. Ms. Vena and I will integrate the exploration of Identity and Culture into both Social studies and English Language Arts during the first quarter.

Welcome Letter: Mr. Hay-Chapman's Letter

Resources:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology has an amazing website dedicated to the "study, appreciation, and conservation of birds." You can find distinguishing characteristics, maps of habitat and migration and even listen to calls! http://www.birds.cornell.edu/page.aspx?pid=1609

Journey North tracks migrations of birds and small animals including hummingbirds and Monarch butterflies. https://journeynorth.org/ This organization was recently taken over by the Arboretum so is now run locally!

The Power of Belief: Mindset and Success TEDx Talk by Eduardo Briceno https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc

Khan Academy "Growing Your Mind" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtKJrB5rOKs

Neuroplasticity by Sentis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELpfYCZa87g

The MacKenzie Center has many public events for families. https://dnr.wi.gov/education/mackenzie/

How to write a good summary: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NZaqZJVEc2vrAvwmI4NlG02bLggYJvwZzwlPTOB_rf8/edit?usp=sharing

American Library Association has information that can help direct you towards a good book. http://libguides.ala.org/recommended-reading

Look up word root trees using this site: https://membean.com/treelist

Teen Health and Wellness database in the LMC portal: http://madison.campusguides.com/c.php?g=390179&p=2648000 In order to access this from home you will need to log in. User name is madmetro and the password is qwerty

Environmental Working Group: "rates more than 80,000 foods in a simple, searchable online format to empower people to shop smarter and eat healthier. Each item in the database is scored based on three factors: nutrition, ingredient concerns, and degree of processing. Check it out and see how your favorite foods score." https://www.ewg.org/foodscores#.WqL682rwYnQ

Children's Cooperative Book Center (CCBC) is part of UW-Madison School of Education. You can search for books using a variety of criteria. https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/books/detailLists.asp?idBookListCat=4

Take a virtual field trip in a national park: https://www.nationalparks.org/our-work/programs/electronic-field-trip

Guys Read is a site that grew out of the book "Guys Write for Guys Read." One feature I like is the author page on which famous male young adult authors talk about reading, writing, and books they love. The gender piece is irrelevant! http://www.guysread.com/books/

Young Adult Library Services Association: Recommended reading for teens. http://www.ala.org/yalsa/sites/ala.org.yalsa/files/content/professionaltools/Handouts/ParentFlyer.pdf

Spoken word examples: https://docs.google.com/a/madison.k12.wi.us/document/d/1Xy6KWaJNRiy8yOSBrpF57tKrnDutHsbc_DVdUJ_EuuQ/edit?usp=sharing

The Madison Public Library has a site for teens. You can find upcoming events and programming including book groups, art, coding and more. http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/teens

GASP (Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play) http://www.gaspinfo.com/en/home.html Please talk to a trusted adult if you or a friend need help.

Self care ideas for when you don't feel OK: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b2w5M3eXBioaUb2r0ffKhavZZwcX74wPTCAp2cpiMRQ/edit?usp=sharing

NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness) suicide awareness and prevention resources: https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Related-Conditions/Suicide This page contains a list of warning signs as well as a hotline number that can be reached 24 hours a day.