7th grade ELO 4 Parent Letter

Dear 7^th Grade Parent/ Guardian:

During December, seventh grade students will explore the theme of discovery.  They will read a series of poems that are relevant to this theme.  Students will also write their own original poems.  In addition, students will write an analysis of one of the poems in the ELO4 packet.   Teachers gave students the ELO packet that outlines the steps and due dates. Please take the time to read through the packet in order to familiarize yourself with what your child is learning, the process involved and the due dates that must be respected. Afterwards, kindly review the strategies below that will help your child succeed academically.

STRATEGIES

Ways You Can Help Your Child This Month:

1) Look at the calendar in the packet, copy down the due dates, and post them in your home.

2) Look at the essential questions listed on the top of the first page in the packet, and discuss them with your child.  Periodically (throughout the month) revisit these questions and ask your child to explain how the poems read in class are relevant to the questions.

3) Students will be writing and analyzing poems.   While the students will learn to write and interpret poems in class, the following websites offer information related to poetry.  Visit the websites and share the information with your child.   

http://www.famousliteraryworks.com/writing-poetry.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_2070319_write-poems.html

http://www.poemhunter.com/poems/

http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/analysis.html

4) Ensure that your child is reading for at least twenty minutes each day.  Note that the next book project is due January 14^th.

Your support is critical for your child’s success at the Frederick Douglass Academy.  Please don’t hesitate to contact your child's English teacher if you have any questions.

Yours truly,

Frederick Douglass Academy Middle School ELA department