This page contains the links and information that the 7th
Grade Challenge Reading students will need. We will use this website from time to time for assignments, projects, etc. Keep it handy as it will become very useful to you throughout the year. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.
Thanks to teacher, Connie True Simons of the Albion School District, for sharing all of her wonderful creative ideas for this web site. She freely shared all of her hard work in developing a great web site for students and parents
.
General Links Topics of Study Novels
Rules & Expectations
Writing Workshop &
The 6-Traits
True Confessions of
Charlotte Doyle
Rules PowerPoint on
RESPECT
Reading Strategies Grab Hands and Run

FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions)
How Can I Earn Extra
Credit?
Oops! I lost my
Reading Log.
Reading Passport --
Instructions and
Response Sheets
Literature Circles
Short Stories
Reading a Movie
Materials
Poetry Unit Materials
Quality Work -- What is it?
Grammar
Background Details ,
Conditional Images ,
Primary Images,
Verbs
Supplies
Text Types:
Functional,
Informational,
Literary and
Persuasive
Vocabulary :
Prefixes , Suffixes ,
Homonyms
Freak the Mighty

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Reading Inventory
-- use this to tell me your thoughts, feelings, and practices with regards to reading.
Strategies for Success :
What Good Readers Do --
Download a list of the different reading strategies that good readers use to better undersant a text.
Strategy Practice
--
Try to determine which strategy best fits each situation.
Strategies and Me
--
How can you use the reading strategies? Use this to help you think about ways to put your
Reading Strategies to work!
Inference Chart
-- as we read several stories in class, use this chart to record your inferences/predictions, the textual evidence they are based on, and the background knowledge you used to make them.
Joke Inferring -- in order for you to "get" most jokes, you need a substantial amount of background knowledge and you must make inferences. Use your skills to disect these jokes.
Questioning and Inferring
-- as you read, ask yourself questions. Then, try to infer the answers to any of your questions not answered directly by the text.
Exit Slip Practice
-- Still struggling with your Silent
Reading Exit Slips? Use this sheet to practice these strategies while you read at home. Or, to see the actual exit slips, click here.
Active Reading
-- This is a great way to monitor your comprehension.
Bookmark Summary
-- Learning to summarize is a skill that must be practiced. Use this handout to help you summarize what you are reading.

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Summarizing & Questioning
-- Use this handout to summarize and ask questions as you read your novel. Then, stop and see if you can answer your questions.
Gist
-- use this handout to help you summarize informational articles.
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Biography and Books List
-- Learn more about the author, Frances Temple, and see a brief overview of the other books she has written.
Grab Hands and Run Site
-- I gathered a lot of info and ideas from this site, including the Hispanic Cultural
PowerPoint. It is great.
Hispanic Cultural PowerPoint
-- I wish I could take credit for this, but I can't. Go to the site above to thank the real creator. Great source of info on the Hispanic Culture as described in the novel.
What's in a Name?
-- You can use these sites to help you find the meaning (definition) of your name. o
Baby Names.com

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Baby Name Locator
Baby Names World
Meaning of your Last Name (Surname)
Behind the Name (Last Name)
The Long Walk of the Navajo
-- This novel, in part, is based on the Long Walk of the Navajo from the Canyon de
Chelly to Fort Sumner during the winter of 1863-1864. To learn more and see pictures of this event, please visit some of the following links: o
Canyon de Chelly -- Yahoo site offering overview of the event and maps. o o o
The Long Walk: Tears of the Navajo -- a KUED special.
Long Walk of the Navajo -- Wikipedia. Good pictures.
The Long Walk: Trail of the Navajos -- Great first person accounts of the event from both the Navajo and o soldiers perspectives.
Legends of America: Navajo Long Walk to Bosque
Redondo -- Good overview and photos.
Tribal Calendar Assignment
-- After comparing early
Native American tribal calendars, create your own showing your traditions.
Hispanic Corros
-- After reading your assigned corro, use this handout to identify the important themes.
Evaluate the Novel
-- After finishing the novel Grab
Hands and Run, use this sheet to evaluate its portrayal of the
Hispanic Culture. This counts as a test.
Internet Hunt
-- Use this interactive site to answer questions about the Hispanic Culture and the novel Grab Hands
and Run, courtesy of .
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Elements of Historical Friction
-- in order for your novel to count as a mystery, it must have at least 6 of these 8 elements present.
Mystery Vocabulary
-- learn these elements of historical fiction. For our purposes, in order for a story to count as historical fiction, it MUST have at least 6 of these elements/
Historical Fiction Book List
-- this list can help you find an historical fiction book for your book report.
"The Bus Ride"
-- read this story, courtesy of
ReadWriteThink.org
and answer the questions. Is this historical fiction?
True Confession of Charlotte Doyle
ThinkQuest
-- a fun, student made site with information about each of the characters, a biography of the author Avi, and fun games based on the novel.
Cruise Brochure
-- after reading the first two chapters in
True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, create a travel brochure to try to entice people to cruise across the Atlantic Ocean and visit New
England. This activity is intended to help you visualize the setting.

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Clue Tracker
-- use this chart to keep track of the clues in the novel. Then, after finishing the book, go back and decided if each "clue" was a real clue or a red herring.
Map of True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
-- use this to keep track of who lives where in the ship and what happens in each location.
Comprehension Questions
-- as you read each chapter, answer these comprehension questions about what is happening in the novel.
"America the Beautiful"
-- read the song lyrics that are Sam Westings clues. Then, answer the questions.
Planning an Historical Fiction
-- use this handout from Scholastic.com
to help plan your OWN historical fiction.
Then, use this to write your rough draft. Remember, this must be an Historical Fiction, not a horror story.
Historical Fiction Short Story Peer Review
-- use this peer-review sheet to make sure you have the elements of historical fiction, that your story is well organized, and that your ending fits with the clues provided.
Then, when you turn your story in, attach this grading sheet
(rubric).
Historical Fiction Map Book Report
-- after finishing your historical fiction novel, you are going to create a map of the setting for your novel. Also, complete this chart to prove that your novel is an historical fiction. You will present this orally to the class.

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Bi- Prefix
-- Practice sheet to help you figure out the definition of a word with the prefix bi-.
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Bi- Word Sort
-- Learn to tell the difference between words that have the prefix
bi- and just happen to start with the letters "b" and "i".
Extra- Prefix
-- Practice using the prefix extra- to help you determine the meaning of unknown words.
Extra- Prefix Take Two
-- More practice using the prefix extra-.
Fore- Prefix
-- Read this story, written all by myself, and use context clues and your knowledge of the prefix fore- to determine the meanings of the underlined words.
In- Prefix
-- Write the definition for these in- words and then use them in sentences.
In- Word Sort
-- Use this word sort to try to determine the rule for when in- becomes im-, il-, or ir-.
In-, Im-, Il-, and Ir-
-- Learn and practice the rule for prefix assimilation with regards to the prefix
in-.
Mis- Prefix
-- Add the prefix mis- to these roots and write their definitions.

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Prefix Review #1
-- Practice all of the prefixes we have learned so far.
Pre- Prefix
-- Use context clues and your knowledge of prefixes to define these words in context.
Post- and Pre- Prefixes
-- These prefixes are antonyms. Try using words with these prefixes to correctly complete these sentences. The key is in the prefixes.
Prefix and Suffix List
-- Here is the complete list of the need-to-know prefixes and suffixes as per the 2006 Utah State Core Curriculum for English
Language Arts.
Re- Prefix
-- Practice using words with prefix re- and using the prefix re- to define words.
Un- Word Sort -- See if you can identify words that truly have un- prefixes and words that just happen to begin with the letters un. There is a HUGE difference!
Un- Word Sort #2
-- The prefix un- means "not" or "the opposite of." Even so, words with the un- prefix may have a positive or negative connotation (meaning).
Sort these words into columns based on their shades of meaning.
Prefix Review Activity/Group Poster
-- In groups, create a poster to help the class review for the
Prefix Test.
Prefix Flash Cards
-- Print these back to back, cut apart, and use them to study for the test.
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Suffixes -able and -ible

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Suffix -ate --
See if you can figure out if each -ate word is being used as an adjective or a verb. This is important because it not only impacts usage, but also the pronunciation of the word.
Suffixes -er, -or, and -ist Crossword
Puzzle
Review -able/-ible, -ate, and -er/-or/ist --
See what you can remember from the six suffixes we have learned so far.
Suffix -ful
Suffix -less
-ful/-less Word Sort
-- Although -ful and -less are antonyms, some -ful words have positive meanings and some have negative. The same goes for -less words.
See if you can figure out their different shades of meaning.
Suffix -ly
Suffixes -ment and -tion
-ment and -tion Crossword
Suffix Review Sheet
-- What you MUST know for the test.
Jeopardy Suffix Review
Suffix Review Flash Cards
-- Print these back to back, cut them apart, and use them to study for the test.
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Horrid Homonyms
-- list of the homonyms you
must know as per the new core curriculum
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Horrid Homonyms Practice Sheet
-- handout to practice using the right word at the right time. Can you do it?
Prefixes, Suffixes, and Homonym Review
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Steps to Good Writing
-- a chart to help you remember the writing process.
Topics I Want to Write About
-- use this chart to keep track of your ideas for writing.
Writing Record
-- track the different topics and genres you have tried. Also, keep track of what pieces you have published.
Genre Writing Chart
-- use this to help you decide which genre to try next.
Story Map
-- use this to help organize your ideas for your story. This is a great pre-writing aid.
Plot Lines
-- plot lines are another good way to organize the events of a story. Use this during pre-writing or during revision.

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Editing Symbols
-- use these when proofreading and editing your writing.
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Editing Symbols Practice -- use this to prepare for your test on editing symbols.
Editing Symbols Review -- this is the review for the test. Same format as the test.
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Dialogue Practice -- practice writing dialogue with this discussion of Among the Hidden.
Newspaper Article Peer-Review
-- use this to get useful feedback on your submissions to the school's newspaper.
Correct Letter Format
-- Want to write a letter for
Writing Workshop? Just make sure it is in correct business letter format. o
Learning Letters -- use this template to write a letter, each quarter, about you have learned so far this year. o
Letter to an Incoming Student -- use this rough draft to write a letter to one of next year's 7th graders. Give them pointers on surviving this class and doing well at
Albion.
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6-Traits Rubric --
Download this if you lost the one you received in class.
This will help you assess both your own writing and the writing of others. You will need this for the test!
Quick 6-Traits Rubric --
This is great if you just want a quick reminder of each trait.
Ideas o
Memory/Memento Peer Review
--
Once you have written the memory associated with your memento, use this peer review sheet to revise your rough draft. Then, use this rubric to see how your final draft will be o graded.
Obituaries -- use the information found on the three headstones (provided) to infer what the peoples lives may have been like. Then, use that information to write an obituary for one of them. Focus on Ideas. You may have to do some research on the 40's to accurately portray their lives.
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Obituary Peer Review Sheet -- use this form to help your classmates give you feedback on your
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Obituary Rubric -- see how you will be graded on this assignment.

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Organization o
Plot Lines -- this is one organizational framework to help o o o you plan and analyze stories. We will practice refining this skill by watching the movie Something Wicked this
Way Comes. Because it is PG, you will need to return a signed permission slip in order to watch it with the class.
Then, complete the study guide and plot line as you view the film.
Parallel Structure -- this is a great way to organize your sentneces, or even a speech.
Wordless Picture Books
--
Use this Picture Plot Line to plan your Wordless Picture Book .
Now, decide which organizational structure to try on
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Choose one and create either a speech using parallel construction or your own wordless picture book.
Download the peer-review/grading sheet here.
Paragraphs -- Learn the parts of a perfect paragraph .
Then, practice writing topic sentences and identifying topic sentences.
Developing a Topic Sentence -- Practice writing a paragraph for each topic sentence. Make sure you have several supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.
5-Paragraph Essay -- This is an easy format to use when writing an informational or persuasive essay.
Voice o
Fairy Tale Characters with Voice
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Plot line, instruction sheet, and grading rubric on your voice writing assignment. Remember, this must be at least 3/4 page, typed, double-spaced, in a 12 pt. font to receive full credit.

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Word Choice o
Funny Errors -Read these for a laugh. Then, read them again for several good examples of why you need to o o be precise in you word choice.
Interpreting Poetry -- Complete this in groups as you read your assigned poem. Look carefully at the author's
Word Choice.
Shoe Story Peer-Review -- looking at one of the shoes from your group, write a story about the person who might wear that shoe. Use this peer-review sheet to help improve your Ideas and Word Choice.
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Sentence Fluency o o
Poem for Two Voices -- This is the grading sheet for your Poetry for Two Voices performance.
Now, write your OWN poem for 2 voices . You are graded both on the quality of the poem as well as your performance of the poem.
Conventions o o
Reviewing Punctuation Marks -- Define each punctuation mark. Then, use them to edit the sentences on the back.
Fun with Conventions -- Determine if each item is an example of editing or revision. Then, punctuate the letter at the bottom. Depending on how you do it, you could make it a love letter or a break-up letter.
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Freak the Mighty Interactive
--
Games and info site created by 8th grade students in Georgia. This is a
FANTASTIC site!
Active Reading Handout
--
Complete this while reading to help lead your discussion with your group.
Book in a Day: Summarizing and Questions
-- as you read your assigned chapters, summarize and ask questions.
Use this to help you better understand the story. Then, complete a plot line for the story.
Debate Info --
This is what you will need to prepare for your debate on the issue of single parenting. o
Pro & Con Chart
-- Use this to organize your debate research. o o
Research Sites on Population Control
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Do First Worlders Consume too Much?
-- Con
The Population Dud -- Con
Population and the Environment -- Pro
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Population and Water -- Pro
One-Child Policy in China from Wikipedia, the Free
Encyclopedia -- neither pro nor con, just gives the facts about one country that has instituted population control policies. You must use the information from here and decide for yourself if it supports or goes against population control.
Persuasive Essay Requirements
-- Instructions for your persuasive essay. Be sure to use 5-paragraph

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Scoring the Debate
-- see how you and the other debaters will be judged. You will be one of the judges as well as one of the debaters, and this counts as and assignment, so you might want to download an extra copy or two in case you lose your original.
Summarizing and Questioning
-- Complete this while reading to help you remember what you have read each day and to help you look ahead by asking thought-provoking questions.
Freak the Mighty Internet Hunt
-- This great site, created by Cindy O'Hara, is a fun, internet based hunt for information relating to the novel. This counts as a quiz. o
The constitutional/totalitarian government doesn't work, so use this link instead.
Elements of Fiction --
Use these 6 elements of Fiction to prove that Freak the Mighty fits into this genre. This project; completed in groups, counts as your final test for this novel.
4-Panel Thinking Chart
-- complete these as we read the teleplay "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street." Then, on the back, decide if it is fiction
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Author Search
-- WebQuest to learn more about your favorite author.
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Lit Circle Jobs
-- Did you lose one of your job handouts for lit circles? You can print out another packet here, including Discussion Director, Connector,
Illustrator, and Oral Reader.
Discussion Assessment
-- See how your Tuesday discussions will be scored.
Daily Literature Response Log
-- use this to keep track of your reactions to what you are reading and to record things you would like to discuss with your group.
Diversity Literature Study
-- This is the check-off sheet and synthesis handout for your Diversity Lit Groups.
Cultural Group Presentation
-- After learning about your cultural group through literature, create an oral presentation with visual aids to teach the class about this group. o
Each person also NEEDS to turn in a completed o bibliogrphy with at least 5 cited sources -- 2 must be print and up to three may be electronic (Internet).
While you watch each group's presentation, complete the Cultural Presentation Char t with things that you learn.

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Where I'm From Poem
-- After you have written your own "Where I'm From Poem" about you, write one in groups about the main character of your Lit Circle novel.
Movie Poster Book Report
-- Detailed requirements and grading sheet on designing a movie poster for your literature circle book. Also includes actual movie posters as examples for you to look at.
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Figures of Speech
-- learn and practice using these poetic terms when creating this flip book.
English Poetry Packet, Poems
English Poetry Packet, Assignments
Poetry Types
-- These are the instructions for and examples of the poems you will write for your poetry book.
Poetry Book Check-Off Sheet
-- make sure you have everything and that it is in the correct order. See the point value of each poem on the rubric.
Poetry Vocabulary
-- use this to review for your Poetry
Vocabulary Test

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Popcorn Poetry
-- this is the assignment we did on the 1st day of school. If you didn't do it, you will need to do so now because this goes on the second page of your poetry book.
"The Jabberwocky"
-- after reading the original poem by Lewis Carroll, try rewriting it by basing it on one theme and then replacing the nonsense words with real words. The basics of the poem should remain intact.
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Text Types Flash Cards
-
- Cut apart these descriptions and use them to make flash cards to help you learn the four different text types.
Text Types Scavanger
Hunt
-- find artifacts (examples) of each text type.
FLIP
(Functional, Literary, Informational, and Persuasive)
Book
: use these instructions to write four differnt types of text on the same topic.
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Application and Recipe
-- Read these two examples of functional text and then correctly answer the questions.

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Functional Drawing
-- Write instructions telling someone else how to draw your assigned picture. Use this sheet to have them assess how easy your instructions were to understand.
Order Form and Directions Worksheet
--
Answer these questions after reading the candy order form and the apple pomander instruction sheet.
Following Instructions
-- How well do you think you follow instructions? Use this little quiz to test yourself.
Functional Extension
-- Choose one of these projects to demonstrate your ability to read, understand, and create functional texts.
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