Welcome!!!
I am excited to be working with you this year as
together we pursue excellence and have fun with all aspects of Language Arts.
This year you will be a successful language arts student by staying actively
involved in the ample opportunities for
authentic
listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking we will explore
together.
Because my number one priority is ensuring you gain
the Language Arts knowledge and skills you need to be successful throughout
life, our classroom will be a creative, text-rich, supportive environment for
both independent work and collaborative projects. Our curriculum is based on the
Academic Knowledge and Skills
(AKS) of the Gwinnett County Public Schools and
my instruction and assignments will focus on helping you master these objectives
so that in April you will be completely prepared to excel on the
Gateway
test. It is crucial that you take responsibility for your own education and keep
your parents up to date regarding what we are working on throughout the year.
Language Arts is much more fun when we are active participants – not
spectators!
As we study the AKS for 7th
grade Language Arts we will review topics in six
categories:
1. Listening,
Speaking, and Viewing
2.
Reading and the Study of
Literature
3. Writing
Strategies and Techniques
4.
Vocabulary and Spelling
5.
Grammar, Usage, and
Mechanics
6. Accessing
Information/Reference Skills
To help
us reach our goals, we will be using two textbooks:
The Language of
Literature and
Language
Network. For variety and enrichment, we will
supplement these books with many other materials that will help you master the
AKS. Please bring a novel you are currently reading to class every day. Your
standing homework is "Relax and Read", unless I specifically give you something
else to do. We all have very busy schedules and must be creative to fit in
reading; try keeping a book or magazine in the car and in your bedroom to pick
up whenever you have a few spare moments. We will be keeping track of how much
we read all year and those spontaneous reading moments really add
up.
We will have a spectacular seventh
grade year working and learning together. Always feel free to ask questions in
class and to get in touch with me whenever you need
information.
Contact
info...
My email address:
jay_barbour@gwinnett.k12.us.ga
Our class
homepage:
http://www.schoolnotes.com/30047/mrjaybarbour.html
Our
class weblog:
http://homepage.mac.com/jaychristo/languagearts.htm
The
SMS phone number: 770-972-3224.
I plan on
having fun as we embrace the challenges and opportunities for growth and
learning this year. Thank you in advance for helping make this a fantastic
year!
Sincerely,
Mr.
Jay Barbour