Overview/Expectations
How do poets dream? What can we learn from a novel’s theme? How does word choice change perception? What does your voice sound like on paper?
The study of English is learning how to think. Learning to understand and express words clearly connects us to new people and ideas. No one can ever truly master English for there are always new interpretations and ways to communicate ideas. However, learning how to examine a text, speech, or thought critically allows us to share our own thoughts in new and exciting ways.
Thus, by studying English you’ll gain new insights into yourself, the world around you, and in human nature. In seventh grade you will gain the skills to think at a more sophisticated level. You will learn to read like a writer and write for a reader. We’ll work hard to articulate logical opinions and interesting descriptions. We’ll learn how to alter a piece of writing to best suit your purpose. We’ll discover that great writers aren’t untouchable geniuses. Rather, they’re people plugged into life and know how to use words to express it.
The study of English is an invitation to new conversations and a more interesting view of our world.
Throughout the year, you will be active readers of a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts. You will be asked to make personal and worldly connections to every text or media we encounter to foster the development of your own ideas to share with the class. We will learn how to ascertain the plot, theme, and voice of a text. Also, we’ll ponder the decisions writers made about our reading to gain insight into our own writing. You’ll write a variety of papers, learning how to structure ideas within a story and essay. Consistent revision and peer feedback will develop greater independence in your writing. Applying literature terms and studying vocabulary and English conventions or grammar will also be an on-going focus. Finally, we’ll also reflect on what we’ve learned and set goals for future growth.
