The third quarter of the school year finds seventh graders in literature circles reading a novel that deals with genocide.  Most days, students discuss their stories in their groups; often, there is an associated project, such as an alphabet book that students are developing using words from their novels and from their social studies unit.

     Vocabulary continues with both academic practice using the Sadlier-Oxford series, and some activities that use the words in game form, such as a crossword, or a Jeopardy competition.

      The focus in grammar is the study of verbs.  Right now, students are learning the difference between action and linking verbs.  Upcoming topics are transitive, intransitive, and irregular verbs.

       In writing, we are studying figurative language in conjunction with the trait of word choice.  We recently turned in an assignment that stressed precise words with powerful verbs and sensory language.