Middle School Literature 7th-8th

7/8th Grade Literature

Description: 

Students will read a selection of mostly classic literature and discuss literary techniques, figurative language, and elements of a good story found within these works. Grades will consist of a short, written quiz each week based on the homework reading; discussion & other class participation; and a few tests throughout the year. No papers will be assigned in this class, but there may be some paragraph writing on the tests in which basic writing skills are necessary. Class time will include discussions about the reading, focusing on the literary topics we are currently highlighting. As time allows, short stories or poetry will be read and cover additional topics surrounding poetic language and what makes a short story come alive. Homework will mostly consist of pages or chapters to read in our assigned book, and possibly the occasional worksheet. Students will become familiar with the following terms and should be able to identify them in a work of literature by the end of the year: theme, mood, setting, foreshadowing, irony, satire, surprise ending, personification, symbols, characterization, plot development, conflict, and moral of the story. We will also discuss some of the higher-level vocabulary as we get to it. This aligns with many of the state standards for ELA for 7th & 8th graders. 

 Requirements for Class:

• Students should be fluently reading at a 7th-grade level and will be expected to read about 2 hours each week. 

• Basic writing skills to complete quizzes, worksheets, and tests during class, in a timely manner, is required

• Students may not watch the movie/show based on the book, in place of reading the story. 

• All books will be the unabridged version (and quizzed/tested on this version), unless otherwise noted. Booklist to be updated in the summer.

Cost: $150/semester course fee, no charter funds accepted

Teacher Info:   Samantha DeVore [email protected]

 (530) 300-0530 text/cell

Books Required: The book list is TBD and will be updated by July 15th.