Welcome to Mrs. Reifschneider's Homepage!

7th and 8th Grade Language Arts

Urbana Middle School

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

UNITS OF STUDY:

7th Grade:  "Determination"  

Hopefully students felt prepared for the MSA Reading test.  Weeks prior to the test, we reviewed and worked on selected response questions and contructed response questions. 

For our unit on Determination, we read a Russian folktale titled "The Flying Ship" where the protagonist faced many challenges from society, but remained determined to achieve his goal.  We discussed how the historical time period influences theme, and wrote a BCR to independently practice this indicator.  The students are currently modernizing the story and will perform their rewrites the week of March 30. 

We will devote a mini-unit about immigration by studying the poem "The New Colossus" , and reading several texts that exemplify the challenges immigrants face.  

We just finished reading the novel Gathering Blue.  Students will start reading The Messenger  the week of March 30. We will be completing several enrichment activities to finish the Lois Lowry triology; The GIver, Gathering Blue , and The Messenger. 

8th Grade:  "Overcoming Obstacles" 

Students just completed their final Opression/Genocide research paper with paranthetical citations and a "Works Cited" page.  Feedback was given on the first and second drafts as we worked through this process.  Hopefully students have a better understanding of how to write a research paper citing reliable sources , and will be better prepared for high school. The week of March 30 is devoted to preparing and organizing group presentations for the  Oppression/Genocide topics that were researched.

We are finishing our study of the Holocaust by discussing the screen play for "Anne Frank".  The students wrote summation statements after reading a biographical sketch of a person that experienced the Holocaust.  The "Star of David" summation projects are displayed in the classroom as a symbol of remembering those that lost their lives because of oppression and genocide.

SKILL REVIEW:

BOTH GRADES for the week of March 30:  Explain the organizational structure of a text. 

Home to School Connection:  After reading, have your child explain how the text is organized, (chronologically, biographically, cause-effect, problem-solution, etc.).

WORD STUDY:

New vocabulary words are introduced on Monday.   Weekly word study homework is due at the end of each week.  Students should study vocabulary words at home.  Vocabulary tests are on Fridays.

If a student receives a "D" or "F" on a vocabulary test, they must get the test signed by a parent, and may retake the test for partial credit during Hawk Time.   (It is the student's responsiblity to sign up and report for tutoring.) 

********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

READING:

7th Grade Newbery Challenge:

Students will be reading 6 Newbery books of choice; 3 first semester and 3 second semester. This is a major project grade!

Students should respond to the focus question on their reading log using their Newbery novel  whenever possible. Students have 6 different projects to select from.  The project choices and rubric explain specific requirements. 

Click  on Related Documents at the top of this homepage to view the Newbery letter, project choices, and rubric.

The second semester Newbery project deadlines: April 3, and May 29.

Students completing the Challenge, reading 6 Newbery books and completing quality projects on time will be eligible to participate in the Newbery Year-End Celebration.

8th Grade Genre Passport Reading:

Students are reading books of choice from the different genres.  Students must read and complete a report  for 12 books this year, covering 8 required genres and 4 optional genres.  This is a major project grade for the semester! Report forms are available in class or printable from this homepage. Students completing all 12 quality book reports from the required genres will receive a special certificate.  Students completing the entire passport, (all genres), will receive a special medal from the Media Specialist. 

Click on  Related Documents  at the top of this homepage for the Genre Passport summary, report, and semester deadlines.

Reports must be attached to reading logs for full credit.  Students must complete the report NO later than two weeks after finishing a book, otherwise the report will not be accepted.  The next Genre passport report is due by Mon., April 6.  (Ideally students should turn in 3 Genre Passport reports per marking period.)  Reports need to be completed and turned in by May 22.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns at kathleen.reifschneider@fcps.org or call 240.566.9306