Quarter 3 Novels

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Heads up that 7th and 8th grade students are bringing $7 to get their copy of To Kill a Mockingbird and The Outsiders for the quarter. We are all using the same version, but if you have a copy of the book your child needs at home and you're OK with them writing in it, that's OK too! Please talk to me if money is an issue.  Students will be allowed to write in their books and keep them after we finish the unit, which will take us into March. If you would like to read along, I have extra used copies you can borrow. Parents who have done this often say it creates great discussion with their son or daughter!

We're excited to get started with both novels. We also will be doing some SCOPE magazine and state assessment test prep too. We will be doing some pre-reading activities and looking at the different time periods that the books are set in. 7th graders will be looking at the 1960s, and 8th graders will be looking at the 1930s. Both are wonderful books. In years past, students have really enjoyed both novels.

The Outsiders brings up good discussion, but does include some gang and teenage violence. To Kill a Mockingbird addresses racial issues, and we will be talking about some of the language that has changed over the years in terms of race.  Both novels focus on key topics like the power of one person to make a change in the world. As always, please ask if you have any questions!

Thanks!

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