6th grade Literature

Text: Elements of Literature by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston

Through this text and the following novels, we will explore the many literary elements used in reading and writing.

Novels read as a class are as follows

  • The Cay 
  • Devil's Arithmetic
  • Gathering Blue
  • Island of the Blue Dolphins 

The following are books that may be read for book reports. One book per quarter is required of which I have several copies available for sign out.After the books are read, the student may either take a test, create a storyboard or a time line. The students have the guidelines for these. One additional book from this list may be read per quarter for extra credit.   

  • Slave Dancer
  • Hatchet
  • Witch of Blackbird Pond
  • Rules of the Road
  • Call of the Wild
  • Wrinkle in Time
  • Holes
  • Nothing but the Truth


7th Grade Literature

LITERATURE


Text: Elements of Literature, First Course, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000Audio CD Library


Four to Six Novels


Throughout the year we will be reading and analyzing a variety of literature: short stories, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, news articles and drama.  We will study numerous elements of literature: point of view, main idea, theme, chacter development, setting, plot and conflict.  We will reinforce a number of reading stategies: com[paring/contrasting, predicting, foreshadowing, thinking critically, organizing ideas and main idea.


Each of the eight collections in the text also contains a language/grammar link to connect Literature to Language Arts. The students will express comprehension of the literature through expository and creative writing, critical thinking, speaking and listening.



8th grade Literature.

Elements of Literature by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston


Through this text and the following in-class novels, we will be exploring a variety of the elements used in literature and writing.


We will be reading the following novels together.

  • Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
  • The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
  • Messenger by Lois Lowry
  • To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

For book reports, students have a list of the approved novels to be read. On this list, some books are worth two points and some are worth one point. Each student must attain two points per quarter. After reading the book, students may either take a test or create a storyboard or time line. One additional book may be read per quarter for extra-credit.


Projects will be assigned before reading Treasure Island and A Christmas Carol.


Other curriculum enhancements include: appropriate videos, small group work, peer teaching, and research activities. A field trip to the Pabst Theater to enjoy a performance of A Christmas Carol.