7th & 8th Grade Homeschool ELA: Reading & Writing for Spring Semester

Welcome to Semester 2 of Seventh or Eighth Grade English/Language Arts! This class covers writing, reading comprehension, story elements, vocabulary, speaking, and listening. 

There is no prerequisite to this class.  Learners can definitely be successful in this class regardless of whether they have taken my Semester 1 course.

WHAT MAKES THIS CLASS UNIQUE
* Short, 25-minute lessons to help keep learners focused and wanting more!
* Differentiated instruction to address the unique needs of each learner!
* Engaging book choices that get the attention of even reluctant readers!

WHAT TO EXPECT EACH WEEK
Each lesson starts with a quick icebreaker, so learners can get to know each other a little and feel more comfortable speaking up during academic discussions. 

First Meeting of the Week (Monday or Tuesday):
These sessions focus on reading. In the first week, we’ll get to know each other, discuss procedures, and dive into our first book. From Week 2 onward, we’ll explore story elements (plot, characters, setting), reading comprehension, and vocabulary through meaningful discussions. To get the most out of class, learners should complete the assigned reading before each session.

Second Meeting (Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday):
These sessions focus on writing. Lessons will include direct instruction, guided practice, and lively discussions. Homework will be assigned to give learners a chance to practice and apply their new skills.

REQUIRED BOOKS
1. Masterminds by Gordon Korman
This fast-paced, action-packed mystery will have you guessing from the start. The main characters consist of a group of 12- and 13-year olds who discover something isn't quite right in their home town and that the people they most trust are actually their enemies.  Can they solve the mysteries of their city and their origins--in time to escape?

2. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz
This story is based loosely on the author's grandmother's life story. The main character and her mother immigrate to the United States after the father dies unexpectedly and the father's brother pressures the mother to marry him.  It is a story of changing circumstances and the character traits that help us overcome trials and challenges that we face in everyday life.

Books can be borrowed from the library, purchased, or accessed via eBook or audiobook. If your learner uses audiobooks (which is perfectly fine!), I recommend following along in a print copy as well when possible. Annotation is an important part of the course, so sticky notes or flags can be helpful if writing in books isn’t an option. We will often do “scavenger hunts” in the book, so having a print or electronic book handy during class is extremely helpful as well.

HOMEWORK
Homework will be posted in the Assignments tab and should be submitted as a Google Doc, PDF, JPEG, or Word document. For handwritten assignments, a photo or scanned copy is perfectly fine! If your learner uses Google Docs, please ensure sharing is set to “Anyone with the link.”

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Learners should not use AI on any writing assignment. If your learner needs additional clarification or resources, please ask! I am happy to help!

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION
This class is designed for 7th and 8th graders, and I’ll adapt assignments  as necessary to fit the needs of each learner. Differentiation might include extra challenges, modified assignments, or adjustments to the pacing. My goal is to provide just the right level of challenge for everyone. If your learner needs additional support or enrichment, let me know—I’m here to help!

Any class slides that are relevant to the homework assignments will be made available after the class session when they are shared. These slides and the notes on them will help your learner remember what to do on the upcoming homework assignment. In addition to defining key terms, I will often include an example of what I’m looking for on these slides. If you have any questions about an assignment after viewing the slides, please do not hesitate to ask.

I may also occasionally provide optional extra resources for your convenience. This will include links to additional free resources (such as websites and educational videos) to help your child master the content of the course.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please see Syllabus for an agenda of weekly topics.

***Please check the schedule. We will not be meeting the week of April 14-20.