Middle School Language Arts
“Those who trust in the Lord …will soar on wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40:31
“Once an Eagle, always an Eagle” Celebrating 25 years
email contact: volpi@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org
Updated August 2023
Welcome to our class! My name is Mr. Volpi, and my primary concern is to give your child a quality Language Arts education rooted in Catholic values. In our English classes, we’ll focus on proper grammar, punctuation and mechanics, and spelling; careful and considered writing and essay composition; and creative, fun media presentations. In Literature, we’ll read a combination of Classical and Modern texts (informational, historical, poetical, argumentative/persuasive, short story, novel and play texts–just to name a few!). We’ll engage in respectful, robust class discussions pertaining to our readings, in addition to doing a variety of assignments and projects!
This year’s (’23-’24) Novel List (subject to change):
6th Grade: Refugee by Alan Gratz, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, Grimms’ Fairy Tales (selected tales) by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
7th Grade: Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton, The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
8th Grade: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (on which this year’s 8th Grade Play is based!), Animal Farm by George Orwell, and The Diary Of A Young Girl: The Definitive Edition by Anne Frank
Day and Time of Help Sessions: Help session will meet in the Science Lab on Monday, 2:50-3:30 p.m. Students not picked up by 3:30 pm will signed into extended care.
Class Rules and Expectations: Each student is expected to: 1.) Be punctual to each class meeting. 2.) Be properly dressed in school uniform; 3.) Have available all class materials (notebook, iPad, blue or black ink pen and/or pencil, etc.); 4.) Participate in class activities (please raise your hand until called on); 5.) Respect one another by being polite, civil and courteous.
Assignments and Assessments: These are accessed and completed via the Schoology app, which is on your child’s iPad. Assignment due dates are posted therein. It is the student’s responsibility to stay abreast of all upcoming assignments and assessments via the calendar.
Grades: Each assignment is worth a total of (see below) points. The student’s total course grade is determined by dividing the student’s overall earned points by the total amount of available course points.
- Tests and Major Assignments: 60-100 points
- Class Presentations: 40-50 points
- ‘Pop’ and Announced Quizzes: 15-40 points
- Class and Homework: 5-10 points
*During the first quarter, late work will receive half credit. After the first quarter, no late work will be accepted.
*Middle School students have P.E. each Tuesday and Thursday and are expected to arrive in their appropriate attire. Please see the handbook for further details.
Absence/Make-up Work Policy: Students should have the same number of days that he/she was absent (excused due to illness) to make up work. Students can track along with what they’ve missed in Schoology.
Subject Focus: 6th Grade Homeroom, English, and Literature (Section 2); 7th Grade English and Literature (Section 2); and 8th Grade English and Literature
Noteworthy Upcoming Assessments:
6th Grade – English Test: Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop, Unit 1 — 80-pt. test Tuesday, 8/29
7th Grade – English Test: Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop, Unit 1 — 80-pt. test Tuesday, 8/29
8th Grade – English Test: Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop, Unit 1 — 80-pt. test Tuesday, 8/29
Literature: **All classes** —
Please get a copy of our first novel (the first listed in the above ‘Novel List’ for your child’s grade/class). We begin our novel unit Tuesday, 9/5.
6th Grade (Section 2) – ‘Overcoming Fear: Symbol Project’ – Poster presentations begin this week (50-pt. assignment)
7th Grade (Section 2) – ‘Mythological Character: Myth Creation Project’ – Poster presentations begin this week (50-pt. assignment)
8th Grade – ‘Logo Design: Real-World Product Creation Project’ – Poster presentations begin this week (50-pt. assignment)
posted 8/3/2023
