December 16 - December 20

ELA 7

On Monday students will review for the Act I test during the first half of the block and begin watching the movie during the second half.

Students will take the Act I test on Tuesday.  If the weather does not cooperate, the test will be moved back to Wednesday.  

Students will watch the movie and compare it to the text during the final days before break.

Happy holidays!

Mrs. Fowler

December 9 - December 13

ELA 7

This week students will be wrapping up Act I of A Christmas Carol.  Students will continue to practice with comprehension, analysis, craft and structure, and conventions. 

*The Act I test will be on Tuesday, December 17th.  Please refer to last week's post for the study guide/additional practice.

There are no new Study Island topics this week.

Have a great week!
Mrs. Fowler

December 3 - December 6

ELA 7

The essential question for unit 3 is: What can cause a sudden change in someone's life?  As we read the first act of A Christmas Carol, we will explore this question.

During the first half of the play, students will work on comprehension, analysis, vocabulary, dialogue in a drama, and subject-verb agreement.

Below you will find the study guide, additional practice, and an answer key.  It is never too early to start preparing for a selection test.  Simply completing your work inside of class is not enough.  You need to study outside of class for each test and complete the Study Island assignments which correspond with the material on the test.

*Transitions is due by the end of the day on Wednesday
*Structure of Literature is due by the end of the day on Friday

A Christmas Carol Act I Study Guide
Additional Practice Concept Vocabulary
Additional Practice Craft and Structure
Additional Practice Conventions
Additional Practice Answer Key

Have a great week!
Mrs. Fowler

November 25 - November 29

ELA 7

Students will take the "Danger!  This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!" selection test on Monday.  After that, we will just be tying up some loose ends before Thanksgiving break.

Please note that mid marking period is on Tuesday, December 3rd.  If your student would like to improve upon his or her grade, he/she can redo some of the Study Islands to earn a 100%.  This helps greatly.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Fowler

November 18 - November 22

ELA 7

This week we will be wrapping up "Danger!  This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!"  We will focus on comprehension, analysis, conventions, and craft and structure.

We started working on action and linking verbs last week and will continue to practice this week.  This can be quite difficult for a lot of students.  The corresponding Study Island assignment is due by the end of the day on Monday.  I highly recommend having your student do the conventions additional practice at home this week to better prepare for the next selection test.

Students have been doing a lot of work with the ICE method (introduce, cite, explain). In order to demonstrate mastery of this method for providing textual evidence, students will complete a written analysis of the text using ICE.

I'm going to schedule the next selection test for Monday, November 25th.  Please make sure that your student studies throughout the week and on Sunday.  The time of year between now and Christmas is often referred to as "silly season," and some students need an extra push to keep them going in the right direction.  I started to notice the start of "silly season" last week. 

Please note that students will miss their morning classes on Thursday in order to watch a performance of Macbeth in the high school auditorium.

Have a great week!
Mrs. Fowler

November 11 - November 15

ELA 7

Monday- Act 80 Day

On Tuesday, students will review for the Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed  selection test.  Students will take the test on Wednesday.  I had originally hoped to have the test last week; however, it just wasn't possible because of repeated disruptions to the schedule.


On Thursday, students will read/annotate Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!. Our next test will be on this selection.  I am not going to set a date for the test yet; however, students will receive the the study guide on Thursday and may begin preparing for the selection test.  We will spend the end of the week working through action and linking verbs, vocabulary, analysis, comprehension, and text structure.

"Verbs Individual Session" is due on November 18th.  Please encourage your student to redo the session if he/she does not earn a 100%.  These sessions help increase their grades and help master the content that they will be faced with on the test.

"Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!" Study Guide
Craft and Structure Additional Practice
Word Study Additional Practice
Conventions Additional Practice
Additional Practice Answer Key

Have a great week!
Mrs. Fowler

"The Landlady" Escape Room

"The Landlady" Escape Room- Input answers here
"The Landlady" PDF

November 4 - November 8

ELA 7

This week is a bit difficult in terms of planning because we have quite a few disruptions to the schedule.  I'm going to tentatively schedule the Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed selection test for Friday.  Students received a copy of the study guide last week.  You can obtain an extra copy on an earlier homework blog post or in a previously sent weekly update email.

Students missed first period today for a vaping assembly.  Students will miss first and most of second period on Tuesday for a Veteran's Day assembly.  Ms. Prushinski, our guidance counselor, will be coming to speak with students during periods 2, 5, and 7 on Wednesday. 

We will be wrapping up  Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed this week.  Students will continue to practice with craft and structure, conventions, analysis, comprehension, and comparing media to text.


Last week's Edgar Allan Poe escape room was a huge success!  As per student request, we will be doing another one at the end of the week.

Have a great week!
Mrs. Fowler

October 28- November 1

ELA 7

*The 1st marking period ends on Tuesday

Students have finished the launch text, "Leaving Main Street."  The debates went very well.  I was impressed with the quality of the arguments.  I will upload video of some of the opening statements sometime this week.

On Tuesday, students will participate in a figurative language group session and have time to work on their Study Island individual sessions.  "Figurative Language Individual Session" is due by the end of the day on Thursday.  As always, students have unlimited attempts available to earn a 100%.

Since Thursday is Halloween, I decided it would be nice to have some fun. I organized an Edgar Allan Poe escape room challenge for our students.  Students will read, define words using context clues, map the elements of plot, and identify figurative language.
 Edgar Allen Poe Escape Room: Input answers here


Students will move into "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed."  Students will read the story and listen to the radio play.  We will be comparing and contrasting the two.  Students will also focus on vocabulary, figurative language, and comparisons using adverbs and adjectives.  In last week's weekly update or homework blog entry, you will find the study guide and the additional practice for this selection.

Students preparing for their space debates and presenting:

Have a great week!
Mrs. Fowler

October 21 - October 25

ELA 7

 

This week students will be moving into unit 2.  We are starting with the launch text, "Leaving Main Street."  Students will be given a statement: We should stop exploring space because the money spent on space missions could be put to better use here on Earth.  Students are to strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree.  Students will be grouped based on their choices and tasked with reading "Leaving Main Street."  Groups are to gather evidence from the text to support their position.  Students will present their arguments on Thursday in a debate format.

After completing the launch text, students will move into "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed."  Students will read the story and listen to the radio play.  We will be comparing and contrasting the two.  Students will also focus on vocabulary, figurative language, and comparisons using adverbs and adjectives.  Below you will find the study guide and the additional practice. 

Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed Study Guide

Figurative Language Additional Practice

Comparison Using Adjectives and Adverbs Additional Practice

Word Study Additional Practice

Additional Practice Answer Key

Below you will find some photos of students during the thesaurus presentation, working on their slip or trip reports, and playing a game focusing on coordinate and cumulative adjectives.

October 15 - October 18

ELA 7

*Please note that there is no school for students on Monday.   

Students will have a guest presenter on Tuesday.  Ms. Domalakes from the Frackville Rotary is giving each 7th grade student a thesaurus.  She has also prepared a presentation on how to use this resource.

This week we will begin citing evidence and evaluating arguments.  Students will participate in an activity called "Slip or Trip?"  Students will be given a cartoon "crime scene" and play the part of detective.  Students will gather evidence and write a "police report" that argues whether the man was tripped or he slipped.  Students will have to use credible evidence and evaluate the arguments.

Slip or Trip Police Report Requirements
Slip or Trip "Crime Scene"

*"Citing Textual Evidence Individual Session" is due by the end of the day on Friday.

Students will also reread An Invisible Thread, which they will compare to "A Simple Act."  Both stories are about Laura and Maurice, but the point of view is different in each.  In addition to comparing texts, students will learn about cumulative and coordinate adjectives, go even deeper into point of view, study vocabulary, including the affix -ity, and work on comprehension skills.

An Invisible Thread Study Guide
An Invisible Thread Craft and Structure Additional Practice
An Invisible Thread Conventions Additional Practice
An Invisible Thread Word Study Additional Practice

Students will take a test on An Invisible Thread on Friday.

I would like to thank you for reaching out after the passing of my grandfather.  Your support during a such a difficult time was much appreciated.

Thank you,

Mrs. Fowler

September 30 - October 4

ELA 7

This week students will finish "A Simple Act."  We are wrapping things up with author's point of view and adverbs.  Students are building on what they learned about point of view during the last story.  They are looking at the use of weighted words and whether or not a passage is objective or subjective.  

The "A Simple Act" selection test is on Friday.  Please have your student study a little bit each night leading up to the test.  Looking over the closure quizzes is very helpful.  Copies of my study guide and additional practice can be found on last week's homework blog post.

Theme (Study Island) is due by the end of the day on Wednesday.  Students may complete this topic as many times as they like until they earn their desired grade.  I did push back the due date because I was out last week. 

*Please note that some students are falling behind on their Study Island assignments.  Students are given at least one class period during school per topic.  Some of them are not using their time wisely, and it is going to start being reflected in their grades.  All past due assignments will become zeroes if not submitted by the end of the day on Wednesday.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Fowler

Keystone Workshop

Students have finished their constructed responses and are completing literary point of view in Study Island.  Are we move through literary point of view, we will move into author's purpose.

September 23 - September 27

ELA 7

This week we are wrapping up "Two Kinds" and beginning "A Simple Act."  The "Two Kinds" selection test is on Tuesday.  Please make sure your student studies; this is a difficult test!

Students will know their scores as soon as they submit their tests on www.pearsonrealize.com.  You can access your student's test upon completion in order to view their score, areas of strength, and areas of need.  To access the test:

• Go to www.pearsonrealize.com
• Click Sign In
• Username = ns followed by their lunch number (ex. ns1234)
• password = abc123
• Click on Classes
• Click on Assignments
• Click on Completed
• Click on "Two Kinds" Selection Test

Students will read "A Simple Act" on Wednesday.  We will focus on multiple-meaning words, adverbs, weighted words, and citing textual evidence.  It is never too early to begin preparing for the test.  Below you will find a copy of the study guide and some additional practice.

"A Simple Act" Study Guide
"A Simple Act" Author's Point of View Additional Practice
"A Simple Act" Word Study Additional Practice
"A Simple Act" Adverbs Additional Practice
"A Simple Act" Additional Practice Answer Key

The Study Island topics this week are "Multiple Meaning Words" and "Theme."  "Multiple Meaning Words" is due by the end of the day on Thursday, and "Theme" is due by the end of the day on Monday.

We are currently involved in a Study Island contest.  All of my class sections are competing against each other to win Dunkin Donuts.  Period 4/5 is currently in the lead!

Some photos of students completing a text analysis jigsaw:

I often mention Study Island group sessions.  A group session is when the entire class accesses Study Island and logs onto the same session.  I project passages/questions onto the board.  We can see who is logged on, who answered, the number of correct answers, and the number of incorrect answers.  I am able to use this to provide flexible instruction.  I use that information to identify needs and reteach as needed. 

Please note that the names of the students with correct/incorrect answers is only known to the teacher who accesses this information at a later date.  

Have a great week!

Mrs. Fowler

Keystone Workshop

Students will continue working through the Keystone Study Island topics listed on the course calendar.  This week students will work on author's technique and main idea and supporting details.

September 16 - September 20

ELA 7

Students finished reading/annotating "Two Kinds." We will work through vocabulary, craft and structure, and conventions for the rest of the week, utilizing the textbook, worksheets, and Study Island.
Craft and Structure: Character and Point of View
Conventions: Nouns and Pronouns
Concept Vocabulary and Word Study
Point of View Anchor Chart Assignment

Students studied context clues last week and worked on "Context Clues in Literature" and "Context Clues in Informational Text."  Both topics are due by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 17th.  Please note that students have an unlimited number of chances to improve upon their Study Island scores; they shouldn't settle on a low score.

We are going to do two Study Island topics this week: Literary Point of View and Pronouns.  These topics correspond with the skills that will be on the selection test.  Literary Point of View is due by the end of the day on Thursday, and Pronouns is due on Monday.

The "Two Kinds" selection test is on Tuesday, September 24th.

Keystone Workshop

This week students will finish connotation and denotation and work on constructed response.

September 9 - September 13

Students will begin reading "Two Kinds" on Monday.  It will take approximately two days to read the text.  We will focus on comprehension, character and point of view, vocabulary, and nouns and pronouns.  It is never too early to begin preparing for a selection test.  Use the links below to access the study guide and additional practice.  Students will receive a hard copy of the study guide in class.  The test will be sometime next week.  I will announce a date within the next few days.

"Two Kinds" Study Guide
"Two Kinds" Word Study Additional Practice
"Two Kinds" Character and Point of View Additional Practice
"Two Kinds" Nouns and Pronouns Additional Practice
"Two Kinds" Additional Practice Answer Key


As students began to move through stations last week, I realized that they need a mini lesson on central ideas this week.  After the mini lesson, students will participate in a group session and complete individual practice on Study Island.  The individual practice is worth 10 points and is due by the end of the day on Friday.  Students may complete this topic as many times as they choose in order to better their score.

Photos of students playing Quizlet, completing annotation stations and participating in a "snowball fight":

Students made a vocabulary square for each vocab word.  The squares will come in handy when they start preparing for the test later in the unit.  

Have a great week!

Mrs. Fowler

Keystone Workshop

This week students will finish with Synonyms/Antonyms, Multiple-Meaning Words, and Context Clues.  All topics are due by the end of the day on Friday.

September 3 - September 6

 Annotating Made Easy!

Students often struggle with close reading.  The purpose of the annotation lesson is to teach students how to closely read  and comprehend a text.  Students will not only understand the text more, but they will also be able to understand and be able to analyze all of the intricacies.  

I like to do this lesson at the beginning of the year to prevent students from highlighting entire pages in their textbooks!  If I don't, the book is usually a sea of yellow!

Over the next few days, I’m going to be guiding students through the process of annotating various types of text.  Students will receive an annotation guide with annotation marks, the steps to annotate, and a step-by-step example of annotation.  I have also made each student an annotation bookmark to reference during class.

Non-fiction Annotation PowerPoint and Sample Text 

A key part of the annotation process is reading with a pencil in hand in order to make notes for your future self.  If you simply highlight, you will not remember why you highlighted the text when you go back in the future.  I ask that you encourage your student to use this reading strategy in other subject areas as well.  I can guarantee you will see an increase in comprehension and achievement.  For a step-by-step guide, view the non-fiction PowerPoint link above.  If a student cannot write in his/her textbook, you can instruct him/her to fold a piece of paper in half and place it in the book or use post-it notes. 

Upon completion of the annotation lesson, we will move into unit 1 in our textbook.  We will begin with the launch text, “Grounded."  Please note that we do not take selection tests on launch texts.  Students will perform a close read on "Grounded" and complete "Annotation Stations" during class. Students will preview the text, identify central ideas, determine powerful words and phrases, and make connections to the text.

Annotation Stations

Keystone Workshop

Students will finish diagnostic testing this week and move into vocabulary development.  We will be covering synonyms/antonyms, affixes and roots, and context clues.  Synonyms/Antonyms and Affixes and Roots are both due on Monday, September 9th.