Summer Reading  - 2010

 Literature 233 -

Required 2010 summer reading for students placed in 8th Grade Honors Literature is A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Please read this book carefully, taking appropriate notes, and be prepared to analyze its setting, plot, characters, and themes when we meet in the fall.

 

 

 Literature 223

Only Honors Courses have a particular summer reading assignment.

More suggested reading after course descriptions.

English Placement

          English and literature class placement for 7^th grade is based on the results of an English placement exam administered in May at the same time as the math placement exam.   This exam contains grammar, reading comprehension, writing, and literary interpretation components.   Students’ prior academic performance, teacher recommendations, and standardized test scores are also considered in making these decisions.  

          8^th grade English and literature students are placed in their classes by teacher recommendation which is based on various factors including academic performance, effort, and study habits. 

Placements for both grades are carefully assessed during the first marking period to be certain that students are appropriately placed.

 

Supplies for Mrs. Barker’s English and literature students:

1.     Plenty of blue or black pens or pencils for written work.

2.    Plenty of red pens for correcting, revising, and editing

3.    Plenty of loose leaf paper in a binder for note-taking, classroom assignments, and homework assignments.  No other kinds of paper or notebooks are permitted, especially spiral bound notebooks.

4.    A folder dedicated to this class in which to store handouts, homework assignments, corrected tests, and any other papers that may be going to or from school and home.

5.    For Seventh Grade General English Students only: a minimum of 300 3”X5” index cards for vocabulary study.

 

If you have me for both English and literature, you may use one binder with clearly labeled dividers, one for English and one for literature.  You must, however, have 2 separate folders, one for English and one for literature

 

Please label your books, binder, and folders with your name, my name, the subject, and the class period.  Remember to bring them and the other supplies to class every day unless I instruct otherwise.  Honors Literature students also should remember to bring in their summer reading books.  The due date for these supplies, along with your books, is Tuesday, September 7.  This will be your first homework grade.  If all supplies are in on the due date, then you will earn full credit.  If one or more are missing, then no credit will be given.

Course Descriptions

 English 7

200

 This course is designed to improve students’ writing through the introduction and reinforcement of grammar and punctuation skills.  Students will be introduced to a variety of writing forms and basic research skills.  New vocabulary will be reinforced through the use of a vocabulary text.  This course is leveled on the basis of the placement tests mentioned above, and students are placed according to their prior knowledge of the subject area.

 TEXTS:

Vocabulary Workshop , Level B, Sadlier, 2006.  ISBN 0-8215-71079

Language Network, McDougal Littell, 2001.  ISBN 0-395-96737-6

 

Literature 7

201

 This course is designed to develop a strong foundation in non-fiction, short stories, fables, folklore, mythology, drama, poetry, and the novel.  Students will be taught to apply literary terms introduced in the course to written and verbal analysis and interpretation.  A variety of educational approaches will be utilized to assure that each student is able to progress to a higher level of reading proficiency.  

 TEXTS:

Literature Grade 7, Bronze, Prentice Hall, 1996.  ISBN 0-13-838210-7

Various trade books are also utilized in this course.

 

English 8

211

 This is a comprehensive English course which continues to cover mastery of basic grammar.  Students are required to utilize their grammar skills in a variety of writing assignments.  Students are also introduced to the formal preparation of a research paper.  Vocabulary reinforcement continues.

 

Advanced English 8

212

 This comprehensive English course covers the topics described above but progresses at an accelerated pace.  Students will be asked to complete more frequent and more challenging writing assignments in addition to a more lengthy research paper.

 

Honors English 8

213

 This comprehensive English course is designed for a student who has demonstrated superior grammar and writing skills.  These highly motivated students will be expected to complete above grade level assignments while pursuing the course described above.   Creative writing opportunities are offered along with a more rigorous formal research paper requirement.

 TEXTS:

Vocabulary Workshop, Level C, Sadlier, 2005.  ISBN 0-8215-7108-7

Language Network, McDougal Littell, 2001.  ISBN 0-395-96738-4

Writing Research Reports, McDougal Littel, 2001 ISBN 0618052720

 

Literature 8

231

The eighth grade literature program builds on the skills introduced in the seventh grade program.  Genres explored are nonfiction, short story, mythology, drama, poetry, and the novel.   Also included in the eighth grade curriculum are "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens and a re-telling of the Greek epic poem, Ulysses.  

 

Advanced Literature 8

232

 Students placed in this level by their seventh grade literature teachers will have demonstrated an enjoyment of reading, self-motivation, academic discipline and above average comprehension, interpretation, and writing skills.   Independent research and creative projects are required components of this course.

 

Honors Literature 8

233

 Students placed in this level by their seventh grade literature teachers will have either successfully completed honors work in seventh grade or have demonstrated unusual ability in the areas of reading, writing, and interpreting above grade level literature.   This course is structured to be intellectually challenging and engaging to highly motivated learners.

 TEXTS:

Literature Grade 8, Silver, Prentice Hall, 1996.   ISBN 0-13-838236-0

Various trade books are also utilized in this course.