Syllabus for Mr. Caprow’s Students

Language Arts

         · Students will choose their own books and read independently during the silent reading period.

         · We will study the classic tales of ancient Greece, Arabian Nights, and King Arthur, as well as some modern novels, short stories, poetry, and drama.

         · Students will study grammar, with a focus on writing sentences correctly.

         · Students will write four formal essays.  They must be typed in a standard font on this Wiki.  Our computer lab is up and running, but any computer with internet access can be used.

         · Students will create skits based on literary works and perform them for the class.

Social Studies

         · We begin by studying the fall of the Roman Empire, thereby reviewing the end of the sixth grade curriculum.

         · The main focus of study is the history and culture of the medieval world (approximately 500-1500 C.E.) in various places, including:

            •  Europe (the Middle Ages and the Renaissance)

            •  The Islamic World

            •  Africa

            •  China

            •  Japan

            •  The Americas before the arrival of the Europeans

         · Students will create various projects, including posters and power point presentations.

         · Students will write three formal essays (described above) on Social Studies topics.

         · Students will give an oral presentation to the class, based on their own research.

Strategic Language Arts (also called “Study Skills” or “Reading”)

         · Students must read independently and write daily in a journal

         · Students will study spelling (with weekly quizzes) as well as various aspects of grammar and usage.

         · Student will read and analyze poems and short stories.

         · Students will read and analyze current events articles in Junior Scholasticand on the internet.

         · Students will use Teenbiz, the current events reading program.