ELA

The four main state standards of 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts are Oral Expression and Listening, Reading for All Purposes, Writing and Composition, and Research and Reasoning.  Various projects that enable students to meet these standards will include such skills as proper research and citation, the ability to locate and prove themes, work with technology, creative writing, presentations, poetry analysis and creation, personal reflection, group work, and self-awareness of personal learning styles.  Both fictional and nonfictional novels will also be explored during the year. While 7th grade introduces and practices these skills and concepts, 8th grade develops and allows students the opportunity to develop them into a state of mastery.  State ELA state standards can be accessed here.  All grades can be accessed on Powerschool.

Mrs. Gerrits has been teaching for over a decade with experience in Montessori, Elementary, English, and a Master's Degree in Special Education. Through ELA, Mrs. Gerrits teaches acceptance, inclusion, empathy, confidence, and amazing stories. Reading and writing stories have helped her through so many of life’s struggles and she shares that love with her students. She loves to knit, crochet, sew, and is a hiker, and dancer. She loves to tinker around in her greenhouse, grow her own foods, bake, and cook. She also spends time reading and watching/listening to podcasts about true crime. Before becoming a teacher, Mrs. Gerrits owned a dance studio, worked for 911 dispatch, and worked for a midwife to help deliver babies. A fun fact about Mrs. Gerrits is that she was a military brat who lived in Germany, Colorado, Virginia, Michigan, and Indiana. She traveled the country in an RV for nearly a year before settling in Bayfield with her husband, 5 kids, and too many pets. 

For information on classroom expectations check out the Class Syllabus