Dear Parents/Guardians,
Here’s what we accomplished this week in language arts-
Reading: This week we read and answered practice Air Test articles/questions in preparation for our State Test in April. We read about Antarctica and National Parks.
Writing: This week students wrote an argumentative essay on the Titanic. They argued who was to blame for the loss of life. The following format was taught:
Intro:
Hook – Entice reader with opening sentence
Background Information – discuss the Titanic voyage
Claim – State who you blame for the loss of life
Subtopics/sub claims – State two generic reasons to back up claim
Body 1/body 2: explanation of your claims
TS – State subtopic/sub claim
RA – State first reason
C – Quote to prove first reason
E – Explanation to explain why suspect is guilty
RA – State second reason
C – Quote to prove second reason
E = Explanation to explain why suspect is guilty
Body 3: counterclaim –
TS – State who others might blame
RA – State first reason
C – Quote to prove first reason
E – Explain why their reason is not good enough and argue back to your suspect
RA – State second reason
C – Quote to prove second reason
E – Explain why their reason is not good enough and argue back to your suspect
Conclusion:
Restate claim – who is responsible for loss of life
Restate subtopics-sub claims – two reasons for claim
Wrap it up – discuss lasting impact of Titanic disaster
Final typed copy of essay will be due on Tuesday, March 19th. This essay will be graded for the fourth quarter.
Grammar: This week we began learning about prepositions, words that describe the relationship between other words.
Book Review: For fourth quarter, students will not be required to read an independent reading novel as they will be reading our class novel at home. Periods 1, 5, 8 will be reading Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Period 4 will be reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
Midterm Exam: As soon as all the exams are finished, I will pass them back and go over the results with students. I have about three students left to finish.
Blog: Please visit our team blog at teamclassy2015.weebly.com for important information and homework assignments.
Upcoming Assignments (may change slightly due to student needs)
Monday – Final copy of printed essay, finish practice test – Facing Defeat
Tuesday – Finish practice test – Covered in Dust questions
Wednesday – Work on expository essay, study grammar
Thursday – Complete expository essay – Covered in Dust
Friday – Complete practice test – Silk Road
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Emily Lee
7th Grade Language Arts
Learwood Middle School
[email protected]
440 933 8142 ex. 2606