Our students continue their in depth study of the timeless classic "To Kill A Mockingbird." This Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Harper Lee has generated essential questionas about stereotypes, culture, and education. As we move into the second part of the novel, students will explore the themes of bravery, cowardice, and justice. This novel enables the children to analyze critical themes, and to extend the connections  to themselves.

Students continue to sharpen their writing skills. They are asked to respond in writing to literature that we read. In addition, we continue skill mastery in the Grammar books. This practice not only sharpens their writing skills, but enables the students to edit their work more effectively.

Later in the quarter we will practice the compare/contrast essay. As a final component of writing, the students will be asked to complete a research project in the fourth quarter. The topic, guidelines, and rubric will be forthcoming.   

With the third quarter well underway, our 7th graders have completed ISAT testing. The next few weeks will allow us to explore character development and conflict in selected short stories from our literature book. In addition, students will become skilled at identifying the author's purpose and point of view.

This skill mastery will prepare the children to begin reading and annalyzing the complexity of a novel. Although a title has not yet been finalized, students will be informed prior to the end of the quarter. This will enable the children to purchase their own copy of the book over the spring break. "Bookies" at 103rd and Western (next to the 7-Eleven) is a great source for inexpensive used books. Readers can even redeem their used books for further discounted prices.