Grade 7 Book List

Please click on the Book List Link to the right.

Welcome to Grade 7 Humanities

Hello,

A huge welcome to our new Willow Park families and hello again to those returning to us this year. My name is Ainslie Brown and I am very pleased to teach your child this year. I teach Grade 7 Humanities to 7-1 and 7-4. I share 7-2 with Mrs Knight.  

Thank you very much for sending your child in with a binder, lined paper, duo-tangs,  pencils, pens, pencil crayons, markers, 2 fine sharpies and a box of Kleenex to share with the class for the upcoming cold season.  

Grade 7 is a huge transition year. Your child will have multiple teachers and will travel to different classes throughout the day. They will have to use a locker and become responsible for bringing their school supplies to classes. Grade 7s are also allowed to leave school at lunch. This brings further responsibility of time, money, behaviour and food choices. It's a big year!

Homework:

I recommend reading for 20-30 minutes per evening. Daily reading is critical to increasing comprehension, speed and the understanding of how our language is constructed.

All deadlines are posted on the board as reminders. I will also post deadlines here as well. Students will be given at least a week notice of all deadlines.

Humanities Curriculum:

At Willow Park, all courses are taught through an Arts-Centred Learning approach.  Humanities is no exception. English Language Arts is combined with the Social Studies curriculum to provide a rich understanding of topics and skills.  Students will use concept based learning and the Arts to develop their understanding. This year's learning question is: How do actions impact outcomes? 

The aim of English Language Arts is to enable each student to understand and appreciate the English language. To read, write and speak confidently and competently. I have added the Grade 7 Book List to my blogger. Students are expected to read a minimum of 3 books from the list this year. The books are available in the school library, public library, bookstores and in my classroom. Students are encouraged to read a variety of types of books and may choose books not on the list.

In Social Studies, students will explore the origins, histories and movements of people who have forged the foundation of Canadian Confederation. Students will examine how political, economic, social and demographic changes have shaped Canadian history and Canada today.

I look forward to meeting you at Meet the Teacher conferences September 19 and 20. Please feel free to email me at aibrown@cbe.ab.ca if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Ainslie Brown

Essay 2 is past due

If you haven't finished Essay 2, it is homework.

Essay Writing Guide

Essay Writing - 5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay

Introduction: Paragraph 1

1st sentence: Attention grabbing sentence - write a controversial, statistic, ask a question, an image or a startling fact.

2nd sentence: Thesis Statement - a statement about what you believe. Make it strong.

3rd sentence: Briefly list your 3 supporting arguments - you will explain them in the body paragraphs

4th sentence: A transition sentence to carry the reader to the next paragraph.

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Paragraph 2: Explains argument #1

1st sentence: topic sentence explaining your 1st argument

2nd sentence: prove your argument with a fact, statistic, percent, quote, research study

3rd sentence: explain how your proof strengthens your argument

4th sentence: transition statement leading to the next argument

Paragraph 3: Explains argument #2

1st sentence: topic sentence explaining your 2nd argument

2nd sentence: prove your argument with a fact, statistic, percent, quote, research study

3rd sentence: explain how your proof strengthens your argument

4th sentence: transition statement leading to the next argument

Paragraph 4: Explains argument #3

1st sentence: topic sentence explaining your 3rd argument

2nd sentence: prove your argument with a fact, statistic, percent, quote, research study

3rd sentence: explain how your proof strengthens your argument

4th sentence: transition statement leading to the next argument

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Paragraph 5: Conclusion

1st sentence: Summarize your argument but use different words from the introduction

2nd sentence: restate your thesis statement

3rd sentence: strong statement convincing the reader of your side of the argument

Silent Film Night success!

Way to go grade 7! It was a beautiful night and you showed your talent! Thank you for coming to the Silent Film Night. Thank you to grade 7 Leadership class as well for making our night even more special.

Essay and Reading Response

We're starting an essay on our Silent Film topics. The big question is:

How did the political, demographic, economic and social changes occurring in Canada since Confederation present challenges and opportunities for individuals and communities?

We started brainstorming ideas about the political, demographic, economic and social changes. Use your research to find evidence to support your ideas. You must have facts, statistics and sources.

Next, organize your ideas with a graphic organizer before starting to write your essay.

Reading response #5: we will start this on Monday.

Silent Film Festival May 15 at 7pm

Silent Film Festival is on May 15 at 7pm. Come see the grade 7 films. Bring your family, all are welcome. Refreshments will be sold to raise money for a new water fountain.