Cortese/Wychmere Harbor

Welcome!

Welcome to grade seven English with Mrs. Cortese. This is my tenth year at Monomoy Middle School and my twenty-second year teaching middle school English. I am excited to start this new year and to help all of you bring your reading, writing, and discussion skills to the next level. This website will have specific unit information and reading and writing references. Google Classroom will include our lessons and assignments. There is also a Wychmere Harbor Homework Google Classroom that will list the ELA, math, science, and social studies assignments daily.

The information for caregivers is comprised of common questions asked by parents and guardians. Caregivers, if you still have questions, please email me.

The current unit (named after the text or topic) page consists of information that pertains to the unit we are currently studying.

The reference page contains all of the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary guides for the year. Many former students still refer to this page.

The independent reading page is a list of student and teacher book recommendations and reviews.

Annotated Bibliography

Wychmere Harbor Team Expectations

Materials for class:

School-issued materials: Students will be given a binder with pocket dividers, a pencil pouch, and writing utensils. This binder and its contents needs to go to all classes with the student. Students are welcome to use their own materials.

Composition notebook (provided): This notebook will be used for taking notes in class and will be our ELA textbook and interactive notebook.

Homework: Homework will be assigned daily. The homework will be posted on the team's Google Classroom page, reviewed in class, and posted on each teacher's board. Students may use an agenda book to record the homework or refer to the Google Classroom page each afternoon.

Current text - Most of the reading will be done at home this year. All students will be provided with the text for the duration of the unit. Audio versions of class texts are provided on this website under the "Current Unit" page.

How you are assessed:

Grades will be divided into three categories:

Mastery (70%) - Assignments that are graded based on the accuracy of answers and how they show mastery of the State standards. These assessments can include, but are not limited to; essays and tests.

Practice (20%) - Assignments and classwork intended for students to show that they are learning and following through with feedback on how to improve prior to the mastery assessments. This work can include, but are not limited to; homework, exit tickets, classwork, essay drafting, and online practice work.

Habits of Work (10%) - Students will assess themselves daily on time management, preparedness, and productivity in class using the attached worksheet. Students will turn in this worksheet on Fridays, which will also include a brief reflection. In addition, other tasks may fall under this category.

** Assignments will be given point values that reflect their overall importance. Example: An essay will have a more considerable impact on the Mastery category than a single quiz.

Grading Scale (Per Monomoy Student-Parent Handbook)

100 - 90 - A

89 - 80 - B

79 - 70 - C

69 - 60 - D

Below 60 - F

Units of Study

Sentence structures, nonfiction connections, and poetry will be woven into all units.

Grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension strategies
The Outsiders
Short stories and poetry mini-unit
Beyond the Bright Sea
In the Heart of the Sea
Promise Boys/Stamped

Annotated bibliography of grade seven books

Contact Information

The best way to reach me is by email: scortese@monomoy.edu