CAPSTONES

Honors Capstones

- Novel Writing (Invitation Only)

English 7

The Seventh Grade course is a crucial first year of English at Windward. We aim to teach our students the essential habits of academic life—from note-taking and time management skills, to strategies for effective reading comprehension and the fundamentals of analytical writing. The course offers students an opportunity to develop literary analysis skills through exposure to a variety of textual genres and perspectives. Seventh Grade English focuses on moving the students beyond a rudimentary understanding of plot and characterization and learning to recognize, discuss, and write about broader thematic ideas. We do this through text-based discussions, frequent writing work, and collaborative assignments. Students develop critical thinking skills, learn to craft persuasive paragraphs incorporating textual evidence in support of a clear thesis, and give voice to their individual ideas.