About 7th grade English Language Arts
​Arabian Team

English Language Arts

This class incorporates the four main domains of English Language Arts instruction: 
  • Reading- We will use interactive reading strategies such as marking the text, guided readings, and vocabulary study to analyze and comprehend various texts.
  • Writing- This 21st century skill will be developed from basic sentence construction to writing essays and creative pieces.  Writing assignments will be sequenced in a progression of stages to peer construction to independent writing.
  • Speaking and Listening- These twin skills enhance communication of personal ideas and of our work.
  • Media Literacy- In order to compete in an emerging society, one must complement their reading/writing/speaking/listening skills with the need to be skilled viewers and producers of media.
*Grammar will be addressed in daily Warm Up exercises and mini-lessons will be designed based on needs determined from these exercises.
What do you need for this class?

  • A composition notebook
  • A two-pocket folder 
  • 2 different colors of highlighters
  • Pencils for the year
  • Filler paper
  • Your school agenda

Who is Mrs. Withorn?
I am excited to be at Conner Middle School teaching 7th grade ELA.  I have a B.A. in Middle Grades Education and can teach grades 5-9 Language Arts or Social Studies. I have a graduate degree in Integrative Studies.  I am National Board Certified in English Language Arts, and I recently added an endorsement in Gifted and Talented instruction to my teaching license.

I am married to Tom, and we have 3 daughters: Tia, Tessa, and Truly.  We live in the country with our three cats and a dog.  I enjoy reading, running, drinking coffee, and riding the motorcycle on the scenic back roads of Boone County.  Recently, I completed my first half marathon, the Flying Pig.  This year my reading goal is 82 books which means I roughly read a book and a half a week.

My goal is to see each student succeed in this class and to have a fun and memorable year.  I am here to assist you in any way I can. Please let me know how I can help you be successful!