TH​
7​
GRADE ENGLISH – ​
CHANGING LIVES The required reading for seventh grade boys is ​
Milkweed​
by Jerry Spinelli. ISBN #: ​
978­0375861475 The required reading for seventh grade girls is The Definitive Edition: ​
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl​
by Anne Frank. ISBN #: ​
0­383­48033­4 The theme for Seventh Grade English is ​
CHANGING LIVES​
. During the 2015–2016 school year we will study each short story, novel or poem we read for textual evidence and themes and at the end of the year, hopefully, we can answer the question, “How and why do we change?” In the literature we will read about the lives of many different individuals, their process of changing, and the thematic effects of their change. Experiencing transformative moments can sometimes be a difficult and trying experience. As we read, ​
annotate​
how the lives of the main characters are conveyed and transformed by the following literary themes: Definition of​
Annotations​
: A critical or explanatory note or highlight added to your text to point out an important passage or theme. It is meant to make you, the reader, actively engage with the material; strive to include a margin note with every marking at least once every two pages. You should use a pen or highlighter. While you are reading: ­ Write a 2­3 sentence plot summary for each chapter/ or significant Diary entry ­ Mark important passages worthy of future discussion. These should be moments where a character’s or person’s identity (what defines him/her) is challenged or questioned. It is in these challenging moments that a character or person might change. ​
Once you finished reading your novel/diary, have 5 passages and an explanation as to why you chose them prepared for class on the first day of school. ­ Be sure to annotate in a manner that will help you discuss and write about the text. Also, make sure to clearly show what passage your margin note is explaining.