Mrs. Monica Holloway
email: mholloway@sainttimothyschool.org

My SchoolNotes Site

Junior High Literature

Mrs. Richard's Class Page	Mrs. Ostrander's Class Page
Mrs. Whiting's Class Page	Mrs. Cowan's Class Page
Mrs. Weiskopf's SchoolNotes	Mrs. McGuigan's Class Page

7th Grade Literature Program
8th Grade Literature Program
Poetry Project Guidelines

---

7th Grade Literature Program

My goal this year is for you to learn how to write well and become familiar with the various genres of literature.  It is important to me that you are comfortable with what I am teaching, that you do your best and also that you enjoy the class!

Overall Objectives:

1. We will be reading four books over the course of the year. These will be provided by the school.  I will announce the title of the book we will be reading at the beginning of each quarter.

2. We will study a variety of literary genres, including: short stories, poetry, biographies, non-fiction, myths, folk tales, drama, and contemporary fiction.  Through reading and discussion, you will learn to identify various literary techniques, including: hyperbole, figurative language, flashbacks, personification and irony. 

You will learn to draw inferences from the work, clarify details, make predictions, explore new vocabulary and improve your command of language. You will also learn the five parts of a story, how to identify the main characters (protagonist, antagonist), setting, theme, point of view and the genre of the work.  But, most importantly, you will become enlightened by each piece of work and discover how you can easily relate to what the character has experienced.

3. We will do a great deal of writing! 
You will learn how to:
- Brainstorm and organize your thoughts
- Identify your purpose and audience
- Develop a topic
- Write with precision and clarity and avoid overwriting
- Choose descriptive words to include and avoid overused words (ex. nice, hot, cold, big, pretty, mad)
- Proofread for mistakes (grammatical and spelling)
- Review your work and edit with a peer
- Create interesting dialogue in the proper format
- Write a book review
- Create a poem for the Poetry Book

4. Unique class activities will include: vocabulary bingo, group skits, film study, oral presentations, group book discussions and music free writing.

5. Your supplies will be used as follows:
  - Five subject notebook:
1) Notes   2) Vocabulary   3) Class work 4) Writing   5) Homework

- Pocket Folder:  To transport essays, tests, written work home for your parents’ review.

Class Procedures/Requirements:

-    You can always talk to me if you have a concern or a question.  I will be more than happy to listen!

-     Seating charts will be changed at the beginning of each month.

-     In my class, my discipline policy is as follows:

If you are disrupting the class with talking/distracting behavior you will receive:
                        1. A warning     2. Time out       3. A demerit

You will have the opportunity to earn homework passes with consistent, good behavior.  If you have not received a time out or a demerit during the week, on Friday you will be eligible to receive a homework pass to use whenever you choose.

We will have quizzes every week on various materials we will cover.  If you receive four A’s on your quizzes in a row, you will be exempt from the next one.
           
Grades will be based on tests (25%), quizzes (15%), essays/projects (20%), class participation (10%), class work (15%) and homework (15%).

---

8th Grade Literature Program

My goal this year is for you to learn how to write well and become familiar with the various genres of literature.  It is important to me that you are comfortable with what I am teaching, that you do your best and also that you enjoy the class! J

Overall Objectives:

1) We will be reading four books over the course of the year. These will be provided by the school.  I will announce the title of the book we will be reading at the beginning of each quarter.

2) The eighth grade literature program is a continuation of various literary genres begun in seventh grade, including short stories, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama and biographies.  This year, you will continue to develop your knowledge of literary elements, terms and techniques and improve your critical thinking skills.

Through class discussion and instruction, you will become more adept in drawing inferences from the work, clarifying details and making predictions.  You will also review the five parts of a story, how to identify the main characters (protagonist, antagonist), setting, theme, point of view and the genre of the work.

Together we will explore new vocabulary and develop your command of language.  Finally, you will be enlightened by each piece of work and how well you can relate to the characters and what they have experienced. 

3) We will do a great deal of writing!  You will learn how to:
- Brainstorm and organize your thoughts
- Identify your purpose and audience
- Develop a topic
- Write with precision and clarity and avoid overwriting
- Choose descriptive words to include and avoid overused words (ex. nice, hot, cold, big, pretty, mad)
- Proofread for mistakes (grammatical and spelling)
- Review your work and edit with a peer
- Create interesting dialogue in the proper format
- Write a book review
- Create a poem for the “Poetry Book”

4) Unique class activities will include: vocabulary bingo, group skits, film study, oral presentations, group book discussions and music free writing.

5) Your supplies will be used as follows:
           
-  Five subject notebook:
1) Notes   2) Vocabulary   3) Class work 4) Writing   5) Homework

-  Pocket Folder:
To transport essays, tests, written work home for your parents review.

Class Procedures/Requirements:

-   Seating charts will be changed at the beginning of each month.

-    In my class, my discipline policy is as follows:

If you are disrupting the class with talking/distracting behavior you will        receive:
                        1. A warning     2. Time out       3. A demerit

You will have the opportunity to earn homework passes with consistent, good behavior.  If you have not received a time out or a demerit during the week, on Friday you will be eligible to receive a homework pass to use whenever you choose.

We will have quizzes every week on various materials we will cover.  If you receive four A’s on your quizzes in a row, you will be exempt from the next one.
           
Grades will be based on tests (25%), quizzes (15%), essays/projects (20%), class participation (10%), class work (15%) and homework (15%).

---

Project Guidelines (printable)