Read. Write.Think.

Read. Write.Think.

7th & 8^th Grade Literacy: Focus on Writing

Cherry Creek Academy

Mrs. Ann Lewis

Phone: 303.779.8988 Ext: 247

E-mail: ALewis@CherryCreekAcademy.org

Website: Mrs. Lewis 7th and 8th Writing

Tutoring: Advise time (10:45-11:25) (Remote Learning)

Our Mission

In Writing, we are all part of the team. Each of us speaks and acts respectfully to every person. The “s” word, or the word shut up, is not allowed as it stops all discussion and collaboration. Our goal this year and hopefully every year is to grow as writers, readers, and thinkers.

The Course

In this course, we practice reading closely, making connections to and within text, and writing clearly and purposefully. We strive to write clearly and purposefully while developing each student’s voice. This year we will hone our skills in writing superior sentences, passionate paragraphs, excellent essays, and riveting research projects. During the course, we practice the writing process and understand the benefits of editing, peer work, self reflection and revisions in general.

We work closely with the Reading curriculum so that students are able to have the most effective use of time, content and practice.

Words and More Words

While we learn vocabulary in the context of writing and reading, we also supplement our new reserves with academic word lists.

The Workload

This class is designed so that we take advantage of every moment in class. Therefore, it is essential that each student give 100% during class. We work from Bell to Bell. You are expected to follow the instructions when the bell rings as soon as you enter the classroom (virtually or physically).

It is my promise to you that I will not give busy work because I respect your time and intelligence. You may ask respectfully about the objective of any assignment, and I will be glad to tell you. Therefore, any out of class work that is required will be meaningful.

We all learn differently. And we respect that in this room. It is my job to engage you in activities and work that teaches you to think, read and write deeply. It is your job to believe in yourself and give it your best. If you need to talk to me about the learning environment, please let me know. Remember I’m on your team.

Grades, Due Dates, Retakes/Revisions

Grade Breakdown:

Class- and Home-Work

25%

Short Writing & Quizzes

35%

Tests, Essays, & Projects

40%

*Please make sure to check PowerSchool regularly to stay up to date on your grade. Missing assignments will receive a “Zero” placeholder until the assignment is turned in.

Due Dates: Deadlines are set to expedite learning goals and to ensure you achieve mastery of the unit. For this reason, you are expected to turn in assignments in a timely manner. Once a unit has ended, any outstanding work from that unit will no longer be accepted. The 8th grade policy is that you can receive up to 75% credit up to five school days past the due date.

Types of Assessments: You will be assessed in a variety of different ways: homework, quizzes, tests, projects, participation, and written and oral assignments. Some of these assessments are informal, while others, you will be able to prepare for in advance.

Summative assessments like tests and quizzes can be retaken when you have done the required remediation work to do so (as long as it is still within the unit). Any written piece, especially an essay, requires revision because it is an essential part of the writing process, and time will be allotted in the schedule for revisions before turning in a final essay or research paper. If your work does not receive a 75 or above, you are required to come to tutoring and work on revisions with me for half points back.

Attendance and Tardies:

Students are expected to attend class and arrive on time prepared in both remote and in-person environments. When students miss school, they are responsible for making up any missed work and/or tests. If absent, please use your class calendar, resources, classmates, and/or contact me to see what you need to makeup. For excused absences, students have one school day for every day absent to complete the missing work.

Expectations:

1. Be respectful of others.
2. Cell phones are restricted. This is a CCA rule that must be followed in all classrooms at all times.
3. Be Prepared to learn and work from bell to bell.
4. Bring your supplies each day.
5. Respect your environment. This is OUR class. Virtual: Please use video rather than icons. Please mute yourself when you are not talking to the class. In person: Please do not write on the desks or eat in this classroom. Please do not touch anything that is not yours, and please be respectful of the SMART Board and computers.
6. Keep up with your grades on PowerSchool and communicate with me if you have questions.

Materials:

Supply lists were given at the end of the year and students do not need any other materials. Please note that due to the pandemic materials cannot be shared between students, so each student needs his/her own. Texts will be provided in person or digitally. Please have your chromebook during class (in person or remote).

If possible, but it’s not required, it would be great if students could have five different colored highlighters or pencils for handwritten writing assignments (in-person learning).