“Seventh Grade”
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Transcript of “Seventh Grade”
“Seventh Grade”By Gary Soto
Before Reading: Connect to Your Life
Title the first page of your Literature Notebook “Seventh Grade.”
Beneath the title, answer the following questions using at least one complete sentence for each question. Many of the questions will require more than one sentence. How do 7th graders try to impress each other? Do you behave differently with boys than you do with
girls? Explain.
Be prepared to share your answer with a partner and then with the class.
Before Reading: Learn Vocabulary
Context Clues Words surrounding an unfamiliar word that enable the
reader to determine its meaning.
Example: Uncle Miguel, the family raconteur tells wonderful stories
about his travels. Some people shrink from the thought of adventures. Our dauntless uncle, however, welcomes new challenges. “People fear only the things they don’t understand,” he says. Raconteur: Dauntless:
Complete the Vocabulary Building worksheet in your packet with a partner.
Before ReadingLearn Vocabulary
Bluff Elective
Linger Quiver
Sheepishly Conviction
Ferocity Portly
Scowl Trudge
Before Reading: Story Elements
Write down your personal definition of setting in your literature notebook. (Do not use your book or any other source.)
Read the Building Background section on page 20 in your literature book.
Under your setting definition, list three details about the setting of this story that you think might be important.
Then answer the following question in complete sentences. Be prepared to share your answer. How can setting affect the plot of a story?
During Reading… Connecting with characters in a story helps
you better understand the story. When you read, think about ways that you are similar to and different from the characters.
Create a chart in your literature notebook similar to the one on page 20 in the Active Reading section.
While you read, record similarities and differences between you and Victor, the main character.
During Reading:Taking Notes While You
Read Create a code for yourself using different symbols or
different colors. Questions Interesting passages Confusing passages Predictions Connections
You don’t need to take a lot of notes. It should be a genuine process when you really need to remember or clarify something.
After Reading:Story Elements
Setting The time and place where the events of the story occur
Includes: Geographic location (city, state or city, country) Historical period (Can be as simple as past, present day, or
future) Season Place (more specific than just the geographic location) Weather People
Writers often use imagery, or words and phrases that appeal to the senses, to help readers picture the setting of a story more clearly.
Complete the Literary Analysis Skillbuilder on Setting with a partner.
After Reading:Story Elements
Theme The main message or moral that the author wants to express. Often not directly stated in the story, but rather inferred by the
readers. Most stories have more than one possible theme. To support a theme, the reader should be able to provide
evidence directly from the story. Think of at least 2 possible themes from the story “Seventh
Grade.” Share them with your table partner. Agree on the best theme from your discussion and be prepared to support it with evidence from the story.
Complete the Literary Analysis Skillbuilder on Theme with a partner.