ELA 7

Hello students and parents/guardians. Welcome to Grade 7 English and your first year at Corner Brook Intermediate! This handout will give you and your parents/guardians an overview of the units in this course and provide you with some information to get you off to a good start.

Curriculum Overview

The English Language Arts curriculum encompasses the experience, study, and appreciation of language, literature, media and communication. All language processes (speaking and listening, reading and viewing, writing and representing) are interrelated and interdependent in that facility in one strengthens and supports the others. Students become confident and competent users through many opportunities to become engaged in language arts in a variety of contexts. The curriculum guide specifies that English language arts be taught in an integrated manner so that the interrelationship between and among the language processes will be understood and applied by the students. This integrated approach should be based on students' prior experiences with language and on meaningful activitites involving all strands of language arts. The integration of technology is vital in today’s classrooms.

General Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be expected to speak and listen to explore, extend, clarify, and reflect on their thoughts, ideas, feelings, and experiences.

2. Students will be expected to communicate information and ideas effectively and clearly, and to respond personally and critically.

3. Students will be expected to interact with sensitivity and respect, considering the situation, audience, and purpose.

4. Students will be expected to select, read, and view with understanding a range of literature, information, media, and visual texts.

5. Students will be expected to interpret, select, and combine information using a variety of strategies, resources, and technologies.

6. Students will be expected to respond personally to a range of texts.

7. Students will be expected to respond critically to a range of texts, applying their understanding of language, form, and genre.

8. Students will be expected to use writing and representation to explore, clarify, and reflect on their thoughts, feelings, experiences, and learnings; and to use their imaginations.

9. Students will be expected to create texts collaboratively and independently, using a wide variety of forms for a range of audiences and purposes.

10. Students will be expected to use a range of strategies to develop effective writing and representing and to enhance clarity, precision and effectiveness.

Authorized Learning Resources:

Foundation for Atlantic Canada English Language Arts Curriculum: K -12 (1999) Grade 7 English Language Arts Curriculum Guide (Interim Edition, 2010)

Nelson Literacy 7 (2010)

o Student and Teacher print resources o Student and Teacher digital resources

o Magazines for independent and guided practice (24-issue set) o Media package

o Selections for modeling and demonstration

Write Traits Kit: Grade 7

Classroom texts to support teacher and student-directed reading and viewing (Teachers and students may consult the Intermediate ELA Annotated Bibliography 2012, when selecting texts.)

Themes:

Themes include the following:

Unit 1: Step Up

Unit 2: Tech Effects

Unit 3: Mysteries

Unit 4: Fears and Phobias

Unit 5: Send a Message

Unit 6: Make an Impression

Homegrown - Focus on Newfoundland and Labrador **This resource has selections that connect with all six units found in the Student Book

Course Materials

The following materials should be brought to every class in order to allow students to participate and to keep notes organized. Binder checks will be done occasionally to ensure students are maintaining a well organized binder. Every handout and worksheet should be dated and placed in the binder along with notes.

· 3-ring binder with loose leaf

· Pens, pencils and erasers

· Ruler

· Text book (supplied by school)

Homework Policy / Communication

I will be checking homework/binders periodically, and if a problem is noticed, steps will be taken in an effort to change this behavior. Lastly, if you would like to discuss your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to contact me. My e-mail address is richardcollins@nlesd.ca

Classroom Rules:

SHOW HONOUR, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY BY:

1. Having all appropriate materials and supplies at your table and be seated before the late bell rings.

2. Respecting the people, equipment, and furnishings of the room.

3. Following directions the first time they are given.

4. Not using vulgar or offensive language.

5. Observing all other rules