Welcome Back, Middle School English Language Arts Students!
I hope you had a wonderful summer and that you are just as excited as I am to start another school year. We have lots to look forward to this school year, the first one being our Middle School Retreat (which starts on Wednesday!). But until then, enjoy the beautiful weather today and do something you love.
Can’t wait to see you tomorrow!
Grade 6 English students are currently preparing their public speaking speeches. Topics are hot, fun, controversial, thought-provoking, and so much more. Students are encouraged to add their flair and finesse this year. We are moving away from the more formal approach and introducing ways to captivate and engage our audiences – gestures, body language, props, appropriate dress, and even a little acting are all welcome.
Grade 7 finished reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. The students finished debating in class some very controversial topics that stemmed from the novel. are currently preparing their public speaking speeches. Topics are hot, fun, controversial, thought-provoking, and so much more. Students are encouraged to add their flair and finesse this year. We are moving away from the more formal approach and introducing ways to captivate and engage our audiences – gestures, body language, props, appropriate dress, and even a little acting are all welcome.
Grade 8 English students are currently preparing their public speaking speeches. Topics are hot, fun, controversial, thought-provoking, and so much more. Students are encouraged to add their flair and finesse this year. We are moving away from the more formal approach and introducing ways to captivate and engage our audiences – gestures, body language, props, appropriate dress, and even a little acting are all welcome.
They are also working on finishing reading Steinbeck’s To Kill a Mockingbird and are currently in the thick of the trial. Although uncertain where the story was going to go in Part 1, the students have shown keen interest in the courtroom as they closely follow the actions of Atticus. Once the novel is complete (this week), students will be recreating the courtroom scene and will be able to audition for the various roles. Those who are uncomfortable acting will be able to serve as jury members who will determine whether Tom Robinson is guilty.
Towards the end of May, the class will read Romeo and Juliet. This group has never read Shakespeare. An introduction to Shakespeare’s writing is essential before entering High School.
We are more than half way through the Outsiders and things have gotten intense. You are no longer a Grade 7 OJCS student. You have been hired by “The Times” to report and write on one of the main events that have taken place in our novel thus far. Check out your assignment sheet for precise direction and possible topics. All articles will be published in our classroom newspaper.
In Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie have been sent to a ranch by their employment agency. We can assume that the ranch contacted the agency saying they need to hire some new workers. In this assignment, you will create a brochure to recruit migrant workers to come to the ranch. Your brochure must be divided into 6 parts and should be done electronically. Don’t forget to have a printed copy that can be submitted on the due date (November 21st) so that we can do a gallery walk!
I Read Canadian Day is a new nationwide initiative that celebrates the richness, diversity and breadth of Canadian literature. Taking place for the third year on November 2, 2022, this celebration will empower families, schools, libraries, bookstores and organizations to host activities and events by reading Canadian books for just fifteen minutes. For more information, visit ireadcanadian.ca/day and sign up for free to participate. Help get the word out on social media by following @IReadCanadian and using the hashtag #IReadCanadian.
Hi Grade 6! We have begun working on our World Record Project in order to get into our first Novel Study. Next week, we will begin reading Ghost, by Jason Reynolds. What record do you think our protagonist is trying to obtain and conquer? Will he achieve it?
Hi Grade 7! Let’s do the time warp back to the 60s…Mr. P’s time. What was life like? What kind of music did teens listen to? What was the political climate like in the US? What did teens do in their spare time? What were some of their worries? Are they similar to our (teen) worries today? What about social class and gangs? Was there a division? Did this impact teens socially? Did they overcome it? How? Today you had an opportunity to do a digital scavenger hunt throughout the 60s and we listened to an epic 60s playlist to set the mood and get extra inspo. Tomorrow we will begin working on our group research project to be even more in the “60s know”.
