Overview
The Scholastic Active English Course book 7 and its accompanying Workbook 7 are thoughtfully designed to align with the Single National Curriculum (SNC) Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), making them a valuable resource for middle school English learners. The series stands out for its engaging content, interactive illustrations, and a variety of activities aimed at building core language skills.
Key Features
Interactive Illustrations and Pictures
The course book is visually appealing, with interactive illustrations and pictures that capture students’ attention and aid comprehension. These visuals not only make the content more engaging but also help in contextualizing new vocabulary and concepts.
Ice Breaker Activities and Brainstorming Questions
Each chapter begins with creative ice breaker activities and thought-provoking brainstorming questions. These elements encourage students to think ahead, activate prior knowledge, and mentally prepare for the topic, fostering a more interactive and student-centered classroom environment.
Informative and Helpful Exercises
Exercises throughout the book are well-crafted to reinforce vocabulary and language skills. They are informative, providing meaningful practice that supports understanding and retention of new words, which are especially relevant for daily use.
Effective Listening and Writing Activities
The listening activities are well-structured, offering students valuable opportunities to develop their auditory skills. The writing section, while comprehensive and beneficial, may pose challenges for some students due to its complexity. These tasks often require extensive elaboration, which can be demanding for learners who need more support.
Reading Comprehension Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy
The reading comprehension passages are thoughtfully divided according to levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, ensuring a gradual progression from basic recall to higher-order thinking skills. However, some chapters are excerpts from novels and stories, which can make it difficult for students to infer information without the broader context of the full text.
Vocabulary and Grammar
The vocabulary presented is practical and useful for everyday communication. However, grammar concepts are sometimes introduced at a challenging level, necessitating that teachers provide additional background knowledge to ensure student understanding.
Workbook Utility
The workbook is a strong complement to the course book, offering ample opportunities for students to practice and improve their comprehension skills. The exercises are generally effective, though some students may struggle if they lack a strong command of the English language.
Page Quality
The physical quality of the pages is excellent, making the books durable and pleasant to use.
Strengths
- Engaging, interactive content and visuals
- Ice breakers and brainstorming questions promote critical thinking
- Exercises aligned with SNC SLOs
- Level-wise reading comprehension supports skill development
- Practical, daily-use vocabulary
- High-quality pages and durable materials
- Workbook reinforces comprehension and practice
Areas for Improvement
- Some reading passages, being excerpts, can hinder students’ ability to infer meaning without full context
- Writing activities may be too challenging for less advanced students
- Grammar sections can be difficult; teachers often need to supplement with additional explanations
Conclusion
Scholastic Active English Course book 7 and Workbook 7 offer engaging content and effective exercises that align well with SNC standards. Their interactive features and thought-provoking activities foster critical thinking and language skills. While some sections need extra teacher support, these books provide a solid foundation for English learning and student engagement.