The school year has gotten off to a wonderful start. This page includes some basic information about my classes for both 6th and 7th English and Reading. If you have any questions, please call me at school, 303-757-1279, mailbox 322, or email me at ktepoorten@mpbdenver.org.

CLASSROOM RULES

1. Courtesy and respect at all times.
2. Always be prepared and ready.
3. Sharpen pencils before class.
4. Talk only when appropriate.
5. Be enthusiastic!

ENGLISH

Sixth graders are studying the eight parts of speech. They will be doing a lot of work from their Writing and Grammar book as we learn about these. In addition, students are focusing on structuring their writing. The students are beginning the process for the Science/English research paper. Please see the information below about this process. . Vocabulary for Achievement is a part of the English curriculum. Students are responsible for completing the workbook pages for the unit of the week. Every three weeks, students will have a vocabulary and spelling test of the previous two units.

READING

Sixth graders are in the middle of a Short Story Unit. They are learning about plot, character, setting, and theme. Following the Short Story Unit will be a unit on Poetry and then a unit on comparison/contrasting using various Christmas stories. In January the 6th grade will begin their class novel To Kill a Mockingbird. There are three book reports this semester. Please see the information below about the due dates.

ENGLISH

The students have just finished reviewing the eight parts of speech. The current unit is on the sentence, and then students will review in depth the eight parts of speech. (Yes, they will be reviewing diagramming.) Each unit is concluded with a day of review/study and a final test. Vocabulary for Achievement is part of the English curriculum. Every three weeks, students will have a vocabulary and spelling test of the previous two units. The students are beginning the process for the Science/English research paper. Please see the information below about this process.

READING

Seventh graders are in the middle of a Nature/Animal Unit. They will be reading a variety of short stories, essays and poems for this unit. They will also be learning how to write a comparison/contrast paragraph in connection with their reading. Where The Red Fern Grows is the novel that they will read as a class. Book reports are due about once a month. Please see the information below about the due dates.

SCIENCE/ENGLISH RESEARCH PAPER

The students will get their topics approved by Mrs. Hogan who will let me know what topics each of the students has. The other parts of the research paper listed below are strictly for English. All parts of the paper are fully explained to the students in advance of the due dates.

6th Science/English Research and Invention Convention Project Due Dates

7th Grade Science Fair Research Project Due Dates

Students will have 2-3 days each week to work on the research paper during their English
class. As a result, research papers may not be turned in late unless a student has been absent the entire day on November 20. Research papers may be turned in early for extra credit.

BOOK REPORTS

Please look over the handout that your child received which explains the book reports for each grade level. Each semester students will due three book reports: an art project, an oral report, a written report. In addition 7th grade has two in-class written reports. These reports cover a novel that they have read during the previous month and which has been approved by me before a particular report is due. Each of these books must be a different genre. Each grade level has specific required books. Sixth graders are required to read a classic novel, an ethnic novel, a book of short stories, and a book of poetry. Seventh graders are required to read an animal novel (read over the summer), a classic novel, an ethnic novel, and a science fiction or fantasy novel.

DUE DATES FOR FIRST SEMESTER BOOK REPORTS - 7th Grade

DUE DATES FOR FIRST SEMESTER BOOK REPORTS - 6th Grade

Since not all students do the same report on the same day, be sure that your child has checked the handout carefully for the correct kind of report (art, oral, or written) which is due for him/her on the due date. If he/she has any questions, please have him/her come to me for a clarification in advance of the due date.

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