English: Grades 5-8 (Mr. Smith)

<Note: Please see bottom of this page for 5th Grade Religion Updates>

English - General

All grades have aggressively grown their word reserves using Vocabulary Workshop (VW), and now we are decelerating a bit in order to apply ourselves to more reading, writing, and grammar. Grammar lessons will continue in the Grammar for Writing (GfW). Reading assignment sources will vary from My Perspectives (MP) - or My View (MV) for Grade 5, and other sources as needed.

Important Notice: To the best of my ability, All assignments, due dates, and important dates for Quizes and Tests are now in/on Google Classroom. All students have access to this tool and could probably show you how to use it better than I could! I strongly suggest viewing the content in the "Calendar" view. The list view is fine for seeing the latest, but can get a little cumbersome as it is constantly growing.

We have also started using the IXL program of skill practice. Most, if not all students are already familiar with this tool. IXL work, which is graded automatically within the program, will be applied towards grades in the appropriate areas of the English course (E.L.A., Reading and Literature, Spelling, etc.) depending on the content of the skill being practiced. Skill exercise scores may be grouped or averaged into a single grade.

5^th Grade English

Please go to our Google Classroom, (E.L.A. 5) for assignments and important dates.

We have begun a "novel study" of Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. It is historical fiction, accurately based on the covert Jewish evacuation of Denmark at the beginning of World War 2. 

The novel studies typically include vocabulary, grammar, and some writing in various degrees as we move through the book. We may swerve back into the Vocabulary Workbook and the Grammar Workbook, but not as often as prior. Most of the  students have been given paperback copies, and a few are reading online. Please take care of the books as we will collect them probably in late March and move to the next novel.

Vocabulary words in Number the Stars so far: lanky, rucksack, sneering, obstinate, impassive, errand, trousseau, intricate, engagement, and crocheted. Do you know them all? Did I spell them right?

 6^th Grade English

Please go to our Google Classroom, (E.L.A. 6) for assignments and important dates.

We have begun a "novel study" of Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. It is historical fiction set during the (real) Yellow Fever crisis in Philadelphia in late summer 1793. 

The novel studies typically include vocabulary, grammar, and some writing in various degrees as we move through the book. We may swerve back into the Vocabulary Workbook and the Grammar Workbook, but not as often as prior. The students have been loaned paperback copies. Please take care of the books as we will collect them probably in late March and move to the next novel.

Some vocabulary words in Fever 1793 so far:  drone, abhor, disreputable, peckish, noxious, and constitutional. Do you know them all? Did I spell them right?

  7^th Grade English

Please go to our Google Classroom, (E.L.A. 7) for assignments and important dates.

We have begun a "novel study" of the classic Animal Farm by George Orwell.  It is a mixture of historical fiction and allegorical satire inspired by the Russian Revolution of 1917 but applicable to nearly all political struggles. It is a short novel, or "novelette," and uses farm animals to demonstrate the challenges and dangers of political revolution.

The novel studies typically include vocabulary, grammar, and some writing in various degrees as we move through the book. We may swerve back into the Vocabulary Workbook and the Grammar Workbook, but not as often as prior. The students have been loaned paperback copies. Please take care of the books as we will collect them probably in late March and move to the next novel.

Some vocabulary words in Animal Farm so far:  benevolent, cynical, enmity, scullery, gamboled, reproached, vivacious. Do you know them all? Did I spell them right?

 8^th Grade English

Please go to our Google Classroom, (E.L.A. 8) for assignments and important dates.

We have begun a "novel study" of the classic Animal Farm by George Orwell.  It is a mixture of historical fiction and allegorical satire inspired by the Russian Revolution of 1917 but applicable to nearly all political struggles. It is a short novel, or "novelette," and uses farm animals to demonstrate the challenges and dangers of political revolution.

The novel studies typically include vocabulary, grammar, and some writing in various degrees as we move through the book. We may swerve back into the Vocabulary Workbook and the Grammar Workbook, but not as often as prior. The students have been loaned paperback copies. Please take care of the books as we will collect them probably in late March and move to the next novel.

Some vocabulary words in Animal Farm so far:  benevolent, cynical, enmity, scullery, gamboled, reproached, vivacious, capered, disciples, and maltreating. Do you know them all? Did I spell them right?

Religion - 5^th Grade

• We will be learning the ”Studio 3:16” multimedia supplemental lesson. (Son of a Carpenter 1 and 2).
• We completed the monthly Virtue of Hope supplemental lesson for February's virtue of Cheerfulness. The virtue-of-the-month for March is Temperence. Our Saint for the month St. Camillus de Lellis. (1550-1614 Italy). 
• Students will work on personal morning prayers: Next up early April or sooner if needed.
• Currently in the middle of Finding God (FG) textbook Unit 4, working up through Session 20 for Lent. We will finish after break with Session 19.
• Next Studio 3:16 lesson will accompany the FG lessons.
• We completed the Circle of Grace Program for 2024-2025. This year’s content covered stress and its management.