Literacy and Learning is a course designed to strengthen and expand learning and reading strategies to help students meet the challenges of more detailed and complex narrative, informative/explanatory, and argumentative texts and become more efficient, effective independent learners. All seventh grade students are enrolled in this class. The focus of Literacy and Learning is on increasing reading proficiency, developing active strategies compatible with individual learning styles, and increasing a student's understanding of the learning process. Students will improve their reading power by developing strategies to enhance vocabulary, comprehension, critical thinking and reading rate. Students will also be encouraged to broaden their reading spectrum and read from a variety of challenging and complex text including novels, short stories, plays, magazines, the newspaper and the Internet. The overall goal of Literacy and Learning is to help students adopt a lifelong habit of reading and to recognize its importance in the learning process.
What does it mean to be an active, strategic reader? How can I use reading strategies effectively to understand narrative, informational, and argumentative text?
What are the characteristics and text structures specific to content area texts?
How can I read to gather information from various sources for a specific purpose or to answer a research question? How do I make the information useful for me?
What does it mean to study EFFECTIVELY?
Instructional Objectives from Massachusetts Curriculum Framework Common Core standards
Students will…
Speaking and Listening Standards
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on Grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.
Language Standards
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a variety of strategies
Acquire and use correctly grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Reading Standards
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text (the central ideas or information) and provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinion
Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text.
Identify key steps in a text’s description of a process related to history/social studies or science
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
Determine the meaning of words and phrases relevant to Grade 7 texts and topics including domain-specific vocabulary
Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas/understanding of the topic
Analyze how a text presents information – sequentially, comparatively, and causally
Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others
Compare or contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of a text, analyzing each mediums’ portrayal of the subject; integrate visual information (charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) or quantitative or technical information with other information in print and digital texts
Writing Standards
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.
Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.
Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard form for citation.
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Study Skills
Gather relevant information from multiple sources to create flashcards, split-page notes, and/or a study guide for test preparation
Use active learning strategies, memory strategies, and multiple intelligences to make connections to prior knowledge and develop a deep understanding of material being studied
The Literacy and Learning course is based on the MA Curriculum Framework Standards, including the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
70% - Reading/Writing
Reading Logs/Checks/Quizzes
Journal Entries/Reading Responses/Annotations
Writing about Reading: Constructed Responses
Research and Creative Projects
30% - Speaking and Listening/Language
Formal and Informal Presentations
Partner/Small Group Discussions
Vocabulary Assessments
Please Note: It is expected that students are reading and writing on a daily basis, both in class and outside of class. Home and class assignments will be given a point total equal to their relative importance to each unit’s overall objectives.
Plagiarism Policy (excerpts taken from Plymouth Public Schools Student Handbook)
Existing copyright law will govern the use of material accessed through network. The user will not plagiarize works found on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were yours. All copyrighted material used must have the express written permission of the person or organization that owns the copyright.
Any student who has cheated on any academic exercise will receive no credit for that exercise. Plagiarism is a form of cheating. A parent/guardian will be notified by the involved teacher in all instances of cheating. The investigation of the claim of cheating and plagiarism will involve the student, teacher, and administration.