Gen. Ed. 7th Grade ELA Syllabus
Course Description
7th Grade Language Arts is designed for highly proficient, adolescent readers and writers, and involves reflecting on and responding to challenging, quality literature and authentic documents that correspond with students’ intellectual abilities. Students will be challenged and encouraged to think in new ways in order to broaden perspectives and to create a
learning environment that constantly encourages students to enhance their critical thinking skills in relation to Language Arts. This course is aligned with the Common Core standards.
Course Objectives
Through integrated thematic units of study based on an Essential Question, students will be able to:
--Effectively access and use information from reading (research component with textual evidence and technology)
--Demonstrate effective communication (speaking, writing, technology presentations)
--Use critical thinking and creativity to solve problems (higher level thinking, varying points of view)
--Develop reading comprehension and fluency through the use of Reading Plus, an online program that targets student needs
Materials/Supplies
Text Book: Holt Elements of Literature (Holt Rinehart and Winston)
Online Resources:
Students can, and are encouraged to access readingplus.com from home, for additional practice.
Supplies:
In addition to a class binder, students need to come to class with their checked out library book, a blue or black pen, pencil, highlighter, and a spiral notebook or lined paper. Students are welcome to bring their own supplies, such as coloring
pencils, scissors, mini-staplers, and a personal three-hole-punch to class. If we are completing a special project that requires more materials, I will let you know in a letter later in the school year. Families are welcome to donate any materials to class that they wish to share (i.e. paper towels, glue, tissue, markers, colored pencils, pens, lined paper, highlighters, etc.)
Progress Reports
Progress reports are available on PowerSchools and will go home weekly on every third Friday for all students, and every Friday for “D” and “F” students with the expectation that students will attend after school tutoring on Tuesday or Thursday.
PowerSchools Access Information
Parents/Guardians who do not have a login code for their child can get one at the front office. An I.D. will be required to receive your password. The PowerSchools site allows parents/guardians and students to access the student’s grades, attendance, and other information.
The web address is:
http://ps.dvusd.org/public/
Grading Policy
Standards-based grading practices will be used to indicate academic performance solely related to the 7th Grade English Language Arts Common Core Standards. Students will receive tutoring and retake any assessment on any standard they
have not mastered. Quarterly finals are not able to be retaken. Retakes and late work must be submitted two weeks prior to the end of each quarter.
Additionally, students are expected to complete daily formative or practice assignments to reinforce skills and concepts learned in class, but will not always be factored into a student’s final grade. There will be no opportunities for extra credit.
Category %age
Formative 0
Speaking/Listening 20
Writing 20
Reading Informational Text 20
Reading Literature 20
Language 20
Grading %age Scale:
A=90-100%
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=50-59
Incomplete=49%
*Missing or incomplete work will be recorded as a 49% (4.9 out of 10). Students may turn in missing or incomplete work at the teacher’s discretion for full credit up through the last two weeks of the quarter. Zeros will be avoided as much as possible. Zeros are considered counterproductive towards student achievement on a standards based grading scale.
Teacher Tutoring Times or Extra Opportunity
Teachers are available for extension of learning. (Tuesdays and Thursdays: Bus transportation is provided with a 4:15 pick up.)
Communication
Please contact the teacher for any student concerns. It is crucial that teachers, parents, and students maintain open lines of communication. Contact information is provided at the top of this page. Please refer to my website for all information needed for this course.
Student Expectations
English Language Arts is a rigorous course. As such, students are expected to work to the best of their ability to complete the assignments for class. Many assignments will require work to be completed outside of the classroom. Students need to be motivated to put forth the effort required in order to complete such assignments; doing so will allow for students to spend more time engaging in critical and analytical discussions with their peers in the classroom. Students are expected to keep a C or higher average in Language Arts. Any students who fail to meet the expectations for the course will go through the following steps:
1. Meet with teacher to discuss behavior and work ethic
2. Teacher will contact parents about situation
3. Student will attend tutoring on Tuesday and Thursday
4. Continued failure will result in a parent/teacher/student conference to establish a contract for more involvement in their education (RTI-A). Non-academic behavior issues will be handled separately (RTI-B).
I look forward to working with you and your child. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail ([email protected]) with any questions or concerns.
7th Grade Language Arts is designed for highly proficient, adolescent readers and writers, and involves reflecting on and responding to challenging, quality literature and authentic documents that correspond with students’ intellectual abilities. Students will be challenged and encouraged to think in new ways in order to broaden perspectives and to create a
learning environment that constantly encourages students to enhance their critical thinking skills in relation to Language Arts. This course is aligned with the Common Core standards.
Course Objectives
Through integrated thematic units of study based on an Essential Question, students will be able to:
--Effectively access and use information from reading (research component with textual evidence and technology)
--Demonstrate effective communication (speaking, writing, technology presentations)
--Use critical thinking and creativity to solve problems (higher level thinking, varying points of view)
--Develop reading comprehension and fluency through the use of Reading Plus, an online program that targets student needs
Materials/Supplies
Text Book: Holt Elements of Literature (Holt Rinehart and Winston)
Online Resources:
Students can, and are encouraged to access readingplus.com from home, for additional practice.
Supplies:
In addition to a class binder, students need to come to class with their checked out library book, a blue or black pen, pencil, highlighter, and a spiral notebook or lined paper. Students are welcome to bring their own supplies, such as coloring
pencils, scissors, mini-staplers, and a personal three-hole-punch to class. If we are completing a special project that requires more materials, I will let you know in a letter later in the school year. Families are welcome to donate any materials to class that they wish to share (i.e. paper towels, glue, tissue, markers, colored pencils, pens, lined paper, highlighters, etc.)
Progress Reports
Progress reports are available on PowerSchools and will go home weekly on every third Friday for all students, and every Friday for “D” and “F” students with the expectation that students will attend after school tutoring on Tuesday or Thursday.
PowerSchools Access Information
Parents/Guardians who do not have a login code for their child can get one at the front office. An I.D. will be required to receive your password. The PowerSchools site allows parents/guardians and students to access the student’s grades, attendance, and other information.
The web address is:
http://ps.dvusd.org/public/
Grading Policy
Standards-based grading practices will be used to indicate academic performance solely related to the 7th Grade English Language Arts Common Core Standards. Students will receive tutoring and retake any assessment on any standard they
have not mastered. Quarterly finals are not able to be retaken. Retakes and late work must be submitted two weeks prior to the end of each quarter.
Additionally, students are expected to complete daily formative or practice assignments to reinforce skills and concepts learned in class, but will not always be factored into a student’s final grade. There will be no opportunities for extra credit.
Category %age
Formative 0
Speaking/Listening 20
Writing 20
Reading Informational Text 20
Reading Literature 20
Language 20
Grading %age Scale:
A=90-100%
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=50-59
Incomplete=49%
*Missing or incomplete work will be recorded as a 49% (4.9 out of 10). Students may turn in missing or incomplete work at the teacher’s discretion for full credit up through the last two weeks of the quarter. Zeros will be avoided as much as possible. Zeros are considered counterproductive towards student achievement on a standards based grading scale.
Teacher Tutoring Times or Extra Opportunity
Teachers are available for extension of learning. (Tuesdays and Thursdays: Bus transportation is provided with a 4:15 pick up.)
Communication
Please contact the teacher for any student concerns. It is crucial that teachers, parents, and students maintain open lines of communication. Contact information is provided at the top of this page. Please refer to my website for all information needed for this course.
Student Expectations
English Language Arts is a rigorous course. As such, students are expected to work to the best of their ability to complete the assignments for class. Many assignments will require work to be completed outside of the classroom. Students need to be motivated to put forth the effort required in order to complete such assignments; doing so will allow for students to spend more time engaging in critical and analytical discussions with their peers in the classroom. Students are expected to keep a C or higher average in Language Arts. Any students who fail to meet the expectations for the course will go through the following steps:
1. Meet with teacher to discuss behavior and work ethic
2. Teacher will contact parents about situation
3. Student will attend tutoring on Tuesday and Thursday
4. Continued failure will result in a parent/teacher/student conference to establish a contract for more involvement in their education (RTI-A). Non-academic behavior issues will be handled separately (RTI-B).
I look forward to working with you and your child. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail ([email protected]) with any questions or concerns.