7th Grade Literature Syllabus
Mr. Carrick
Course Objectives:
To critically analyze literature for symbolism, motif and themes.
To expand student vocabulary
To increase student knowledge of literary terminology
To improve students writing ability
To further develop students critical thinking skills
Grading Policy:
Homework/ Quizzes 35%
Class work/ Class Participation 15%
Tests/ Major Project/Papers 50%
Tutoring: Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:15 – 4 p.m.
Intro to course/ Course expectations/ Writing a Review – summer reading (August)
Growing Up unit (September-October)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Alice in Wonderland
Coming-of-Age poetry and short stories by William Blake, Mark Twain, Billy Collins, Rudyard Kipling and others.
Grading:
Reading quizzes
Wiki writing assignments
Formal paper
Mystery & the Macabre unit (October - November)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles
Poetry and Short Stories by Edgar Allan Poe
“The Lottery”
“The Monkey’s Paw”
American Folk Tales & Ghost Stories
Grading:
Reading Quizzes
Wiki writing assignments
Group project - Graphic Novel creation (computer-based)
Seventh Grade Mystery Day
Intro to Poetry unit (January)
Poetry terminology
Analysis of select British and American poems
Grading:
Homework and Wiki writing assignments
Poetry Quiz
Poetry Rap Group Project
Poet research essay
Into the Wild unit ( February - March)
Call of the Wild
Lord of the Flies
Grading:
Wiki writing assignments
Reading quizzes
Unit Project TBA
Additional Spring reading assignments will be announced later this year.
Independent Reading program: In addition to class readings, students will be required to select and read books on their own time. Assessments for these readings will be completed through online blogs. Details
Independent Reading Assignment
The Book Review - Due Dec. 15 (7th grade)
Guidelines: Use the following as a check sheet.
Length: 300-350 words.
Your review should include the following:
Hook/Intro.
______ Should be catchy and interest the reader.
______ Informs the reader about the genre (horror, sci-fi, realistic fiction, etc.)
______ Informs the reader about the main character (gender, age).
______ Provides the reader with series information (if the book is part of a series).
Plot Summary
_____ Describes the plot of the book without giving away too much.
_____ Identifies the main theme in the book.
_____ Provides information about the protagonist (main character) and important secondary characters.
_____ Provides information about the setting.
_____ Describes the mood or tone of the book (serious, light hearted and funny, sad and gloomy, etc.)
Turn Over →
Evaluation
_____ Did the author achieve his or her purpose?
_____ What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book (ie. Plot too slow, too complicated; characters well-developed or too underdeveloped, believability; etc.)
_____ What is your overall response to the book? Was it interesting, moving, dull?
_____ Includes quote from secondary source (published review of the book) and either agrees or disagrees with it (8th grade only).
_____ Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?
Conclusion
_____ Briefly conclude by pulling your thoughts together. You could say what impressions the book left you with, or emphasize what you want readers to know about it.
Formatting and Bibliography
_____ Includes MLA heading.
_____ Includes interesting title.
_____ Includes information box at the end of the review.
_____ Includes book jacket p
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