“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
Chestnut Talented and Gifted Middle School
GROWTH IS THE MINDSET
7th GRADE ENGLISH CURRICULUM
Seventh grade ELA students will begin using a new literacy-integrated curriculum available both online and as a textbook.
Using the myPerspectives curriculum, students will learn to work as a whole class, in small groups, and in a facilitated learning environment, progressing toward an independent work environment at the end of each unit.
Using this new curriculum system will allow each student to accel at their own speed and to assess their newly gained skills in performance-based assessment tasks with more real-world application and skill sets. These PBA's will include group debates and discussions, notebook work, essays, close-readings, and activities which will help the students reinforce the material from the unit, before allowing them time to reflect on their progress and move on to make more connections.
English Language Arts (ELA)
Unit 1: Generations
Students will read various texts, write essays citing evidence, learn key concept vocabulary, and have conversations all guided toward answering the unit Essential Question, "What can one generation learn from another?"
Unit 2: A Starry Home
Students will read various texts, write essays citing evidence, learn key concept vocabulary, and have conversations all guided toward answering the unit Essential Question, "Should we make a home in space?"
Unit 3: Turning Points
Students will read various texts, write essays citing evidence, learn key concept vocabulary, and have conversations all guided toward answering the unit Essential Question, "What can cause a sudden change in someone's life?"
Unit 4: People and the Planet
Students will read various texts, write essays citing evidence, learn key concept vocabulary, and have conversations all guided toward answering the unit Essential Question, "What effects do people have on the environment?"
Unit 5: Facing Adversity
Students will read various texts, write essays citing evidence, learn key concept vocabulary, and have conversations all guided toward answering the unit Essential Question, "How do we overcome obstacles?"
ABOUT MR. HOAGLAND
This is my first year teaching at Chestnut TAG and I am so happy to be here! I have taught for about four years in Thailand before this and I've recently moved back to America.
I received my Bachelor's degree from Hobart College where I majored in English with minors in French and European Studies. I am also currently getting my Master's degree online in Creative Writing through SNHU.
My biggest goal which I will always strive for is to create a welcoming and inspiring environment for all my students to want to be a part of every day. I hope that my students leave my classroom with confidence and empowerment which will stay with them forever and help them succeed.
Our new curriculum this year is state-of-the-art and utilizes an integrated-literacy program available in textbook form and on computers. This will help the students improve their typing and overall computer skills in this modern age, while also developing their critical and analytical thinking as they use evidence from texts in their answers. We will explore various fiction and nonfiction works and hone in on our advanced essay writing skills, vocabulary, and overall perspectives.
CONTACT MR. HOAGLAND
Chestnut Talented and Gifted Middle School
355 Plainfield Street, Springfield MA 01104
hoaglandd@springfieldpublicschools.com
School Phone: 413-750-2333
Email is my preferred method of communication. I will try to respond to all emails within one business day.