The Durham Intermediate English Department is excited to welcome you to 7th and 8th Grade! We are dedicated to developing our students’ reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills, as well as fostering their love of literature. Collaboration, organization, and participation are key to success in English class.

Reading, writing, and speaking are the foundation for communication with and amongst others. We place an emphasis on these skills throughout the year. There will be extensive writing opportunities, as well as individual and group speaking assignments. Additionally, students will read a variety of literature, including narratives, short stories, non-fiction texts, and novels.

Our courses meet the requirements outlined in the California Common Core State Standards adopted in 2010. More information about the standards can be found here. In general, both 7th and 8th grade standards are similar, with an increase in rigor from 7th to 8th grade. They are divided as follows:

• Reading Literature

  • Key Ideas and Details

  • Craft and Structure

  • Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

  • Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

• Reading Informational Texts

  • Key Ideas and Details

  • Craft and Structure

  • Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

  • Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

• Writing

  • Text Types and Purposes

  • Production and Distribution of Writing

  • Research to Build and Present Knowledge

  • Range of Writing

• Speaking and Listening

  • Comprehension and Collaboration

  • Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

• Language

  • Conventions of Standard English

  • Knowledge of Language

  • Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

Log into Acellus and check Google Classroom frequently to stay up to date on readings and assignments! Contact your teacher with any questions sooner rather than later.

Kiara Harry, English 8 Teacher
kharry@durhamunified.org

Eric LeFever, English 7 Teacher
elefever@durhamunified.org