Mrs. Thomas

ELA-Grade 7

2015-2016

Curriculum:

This school year, we will be reading a variety of literature, including non-fiction articles, informative passages, short stories, and poems. Much of the reading will be done together as a class, due to the fact that our textbooks must remain in the room. Additionally, students will learn about and complete numerous writing assignments; paragraphs, essays, poems, and creative projects will be required this year. Assignments and projects will be created by combining areas of study, literacy terms, and writing skills and strategies. Independent reading will be expected continually, with assignments being given on a regular basis. Learning to work collaboratively is essential, so group/partners work will be a routine occurrence.

Course Goals:

1. To determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas. [CCSS: RL.7.2, RI.7.2]

2. To analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text. [CCSS: RL.7.3, RI.7.3]

3. To interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. [CCSS: RL.7.4, RI.7.4]

4. To analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole. [CCSS: RL.7.5, RI.7.5]

5. To assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text. [CCSS: RL.7.6, RI.7.6]

6. To integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words. [CCSS: RL.7.7, RI.7.7]

7. To delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence. [CCSS: RI.7.8]

8. To analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take. [CCSS: RL.7.9, RI.7.9]

9. To write based on task, purpose, and audience using carefully chosen words, information, structures, and formats. [CCSS: W.7.4, W.7.5, W.7.6]

10. To collaborate, express and listen carefully to ideas, evaluate and integrate information from oral, visual, quantitative, and media sources, use media and visual displays strategically to achieve communicative purposes, and adapt speech to context and task. [CCSS: SL.7.1, SL.7.2, SL.7.3, SL.7.4, SL.7.5, SL.7.6]

11. To determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate. [CCSS: L.7.4]

12. To demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. [CCSS: L.7.5]

13. To acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. [CCSS: L.7.6]

Materials:

3 ring binder

Dividers: 1 for daily warm-up, 1 for note taking, 1 for journal, 1 for writing assignments, and 1 for grammar practice

2 packs of wide rule leaf paper

1-Black and 1-blue ink pen

2-Highlighter

1 pack of copy paper

1 box of Kleenex

Assignments :

Assignments are posted on the board. No late work will be accepted unless due to excused absences, for which the student will have 3 days to initiate contact with school instructors to obtain appropriate make-up work. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain absent work by speaking with the teacher. Once contact has been initiated with the instructor, the student has minimally 3 days per absence to complete the make-up work. (Ref. CCSD 5113.2) Extended medical absences and/or prearranged absences must be arranged through the attendance office. As well, the work for a prearranged absence must be returned within three days of the absence. If the opportunity presents itself, extra credit may be awarded for the completion of specific extension assignments. Additional information about coursework and correlating resources may be noted on individual teacher websites. These websites may be accessed by clicking the staff link via the Hyde Park website at http://www.ccsd.net/schools/hydepark/.

Assessments:

Assessments will encompass a wide variety styles; some will be written, some may be projects, occasionally a test will be given, some may be oral readings/presentation, some may be group work, etc. Vocabulary and literary terms quizzes will often be administered in conjunction with our literature. If an announced test/quiz is missed, it’s expected the student will make it up the day he/she returns to class. Formative assessments can be ticket out the door, enter ticket, and/or one-on-one with the teacher.

Evaluation & Grading System :

Report card grades are determined on a percentage basis. Assessments are 75%, and assignments are 25% of the total grade. The grading scale is as follows:

90-100% = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D 50-59% or below = F

Semester Grade = 2 quarter grades (45% each) plus the semester exam (10%): 45+45+10=100%.

Grading:

Quarterly grades will be based on a point system where each grade will be determined by the number of points the student earned, divided by the total number of points possible. Point values for each class assignments, homework assignment, project, or test/quiz will vary. Points will also be issued each quarter for class participation, which includes being prepared, behaving properly, and completing assignments on time. Citizenship grade is based on your behavior in class such as receiving detention, referrals from me, and/or disciplinary actions that require me to contact someone at home.

Classroom Behavioral & Expectations :

IMPORTANT MESSAGE* UPDATED BULLYING/CYBERBULLING

Under NRS 388.122, “bullying” means written, verbal or electronic expressions or physical acts or gestures, or any combination therefore, that are directed at a person or group of persons, or a single severe and willful act or expression that is directed at a person or group of persons.

Classroom rules are designed to provide an environment conducive to learning.

1.) Listen carefully and follow directions.

2.) Be prepared for class and be on time.

3.) School regulations will be enforced at all times.

4.) Show respect to everyone and the learning process.

*Students who have behaved appropriately will be eligible for class and school recognition, field trips and positive parental contact.

The consequences for inappropriate behavior are:

1st infraction ... verbal warning

2nd infraction… fill out individual discipline sheet

3rd infraction ... student/teacher conference

4th infraction ... parent notification

5th infraction ... referral, dean or counselor

The teacher reserves the right to skip or repeat any of these steps as he/she deems necessary or as the situation requires.

Parents/Guardians Information:

I encourage you to feel free to contact me regarding any questions or concerns that you may have; in turn, to help ensure your student’s success in my class, I will contact you whenever necessary. Because communication between school and home is vital, please fill out the attached form and return it to me by Friday. The best – and often, quickest! – method by which to reach me is e-mail, but of course, I will make every effort to promptly return any phone calls. My contact information is: Please keep your copy so that your child and you can refer back to. Note* Items could be added to the material list during the 2nd quarter. My child and I have read this document and understand expectations of all categories.

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Parent/Guardian Signature Student’s Signature

___________________________ _______________________________

Date Parent/Guardian’s Contact Number

Note* Student will receive 10 bonus points for returning by Friday, September 11, 2015. Also it is important that the signature sheet is signed and return as a confirmation that student and parent read and understand the information. Thank you for your cooperation!