7^th Grade ALPS English

Unit One- Challenges

Readings in the literature text on challenges

Challenges book report

ISTEP preparation activities

Children of Challenge Project

Unit Two- Learning about Culture

Various stories and folktales from the text

Novel project on Red Scarf Girl by Ji Li Jang

Grammar- parts of speech and usage

Unit Three- Story Elements ,Drama and Poetry

Study of plot, characterization, setting, and theme

Writing assignments on each element

Fahrenheit 451- study of conflict and cooperation

A Midsummer Night’s Dream - reading and performing

Figurative language in poetry

“Living Poets’ Society” meeting

Unit Four-Connections

We Are All the Same-by Jim Wooten, a non-fiction book about AIDS in Africa

Pen pal/ Service learning project

Unit Five- Individual Rights and The Common Good

The Giver by Lois Lowrey and/or Animal Farm by George Orwell

Projects and group discussions on novels

Create a Country project

Unit Six- The Environment and You

Encounters with the Archdruid by John McPhee

Persuasive essay and speech about environmental issues

*** Grammar and mechanics lessons throughout the year.