7^th Grade Language Arts

The focus of the Language Arts program is on speaking, reading, performing, writing, listening, and responding - all integral components of the communication process. Seventh graders will practice and refine these communication skills in the Writing Workshop.

The Writing Workshop

Students will write by exercising the options available to real-world authors in a format adapted from Nancie Atwell’s second edition of In The Middle. Students will have daily time for writing, conferring with teachers and peers, and will have opportunities to publish what they have written. Many workshops will begin with a mini-lesson about conventions (spelling and grammar skills), craft, genre, or topic development. Students will then work on their drafts and/or confer with peers or teachers for feedback that will assist them in revising and editing their work. Their published work, which will include a variety of genres, may be submitted to class magazines, writing contests, and magazines that publish student writing. Another, and often their favorite way to share published work, is by performing skits and plays, performances, and even presentations at assemblies. Once a marking period, students will gather with other language arts classes for a “Writing Celebration”, where food, drink, and readings are the order of the day.

Contests and Writing Magazines

Students will have many opportunities to enter different writing pieces to regional writing contests, as well as our school magazine, Illusions and area magazines. Click here for the latest contest.