GRADING ERROR

Students and Parents:

Due to a mistake made while posting my progress report grades this past week, every student, regardless of his or her current grade was assigned the comment "NEEDS IMPROVEMENT". Please disregard that remark. I did not intend to give any student that distinction. I apologize for any misunderstandings.

Also, in an unfortunate coincidence, my email and network access has been down since Wednesday 3/23. I have been unable to check or post grades since that day or respond to concerned parents. It appears that both internet and email are functioning today so I will attempt to respond to as many of you as possible. I wouldn't be surprised if my internet suffered another lapse so I appreciate your patience.

Kurt Rix

GIANTS WIN THE SERIES!

GIANTS WIN THE SERIES!

The Elements of Storytelling/Narrative UPDATED

Plot: The sequence of events that unfolds around a conflict, or struggle between opposing forces.

Characters: The people, animals, or imaginary creatures that take part in the action of a story.

Setting: The time and place in which the events occur.

Theme: The message about life or human nature that the writer wishes to convey to the reader.

Point of view is the narrative method used to tell a story. The two basic points of view are first-person and third-person.

Dialogue is written conversation between two or more characters.

Suspense is the excitement that involves readers in a story and motivates them to discover its outcome.

Voice is the distinctive style in which a writer tells a story.

Elements of Plot

Exposition gives background information about characters, conflict, and setting

Rising action is when suspense builds because complications arise that make the conflict more difficult for the main characters to resolve

Climax is the turning point of the action, when the reader’s interest peaks

Falling action or resolution is when the conflict ends and loose ends are tied up

English 7 Semester 1 Overview

1. Literature

A. The Language of Literature: including various short stories, poetry, pieces of short fiction and dramatic selections.

B. Taking Sides

C. Clay Marble

D. Various outside offerings

2. Writing

A. What's in a Name

B. Narrative

B. Response to Literature – Book Review of Clay Marble

3. Vocabulary and Test Preparation

A. The Language of Literature: Test prep. questions after Lit. selections

B. STAR Practice Questions

4. Grammar

A. Parts of Speech

B. Punctuation and mechanics

C. Grammar Workbook Chps. 1-4 with Pre and Post Exams

English 8 Semester 1 Overview

1. Literature

A. The Language of Literature: including various short stories, poetry, pieces of short fiction and dramatic selections.

B. Living Up the Street

C. The Outsiders

D. Various outside offerings

2. Writing

A. “To Be Young, Gifted and _____________”

B. 1 Response to Literature – Book Review of The Outsiders

3. Vocabulary and Test Preparation

A. The Language of Literature: Test prep. questions after Lit. selections

B. STAR Practice Questions

4. Grammar

A. Parts of Speech

B. Punctuation and mechanics

C. Grammar Workbook Chps. 1-4 with Pre and Post Exams

Textbook Check -out

My English classes check out our textbooks on Tuesday, August 17th. Seventh graders will get a large red text titled Language of Literature. Eighth graders get a green version of the same book. These books will go home and stay home for the duration of the year, and they do not need to be returned until the end of the school year. We have class sets in our rooms here at Marsh for daily use. These books are getting old and need a to be treated kindly. Please be careful with them.