Mrs. Dobson
Gold Team English
(860) 228-9423 x4109
rachel.dobson@rhamschools.org
Course Description
The 7th grade Language Arts curriculum is designed to develop and refine the reading and writing skills of students through thematic units and inquiry based writing assignments. Basic writing skills such as conventions, fluency, voice, organization, and essay structure will be taught and reinforced throughout the year. Thus, students will understand the importance of revision and editing skills in their writing. The reading of informational and narrative texts will be used for many purposes, which include selecting and incorporating evidence to support their own writing, evaluating the author’s craft, and recognizing and analyzing major events or ideas presented in the text. In addition, students will have opportunities to develop proficiency in their speaking and listening skills through a variety of activities.
Required Materials
English Folder
Spiral Notebook/lined paper
Charged Chromebook
Pencil
Headphones/earbuds
Materials/Texts
Materials that will be used include, but are not limited to:
*The Writer’s Craft
*Grammar and Usage Workbook
*English Writing and Skills
*Daily Oral Language
*The Miracle Worker, A play by William Gibson
*Ties that Bind, Ties that Break, a novel by Lensey Namioka
*The Call of the Wild, a novel by Jack London
*A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
*Various poems from poets such as Robert Frost and Kobe Bryant
Common Core of State Standards Addressed
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.1 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.5 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.6 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.7 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.8 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.9 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.10
Goals/Objectives
*Cite textual evidence.
* Support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
*Write using descriptive narrative, expository/informative, persuasive, and poetic modes.
*Utilize a variety of revisions and editing skills.
*Acquire new vocabulary through the vocabulary text and literature selections.
*Study elements of fiction through the use of short stories and novels.
*Develop proficiency in the use of resources for proofreading and editing-all appropriate for their grade level, and individual goals.
*Read an array of literary classics while noting themes or central ideas in the texts.
*Respond to the author’s effectiveness in using literary elements such as setting, point of view, character development, irony, theme, and conflict.
Grading Policy
Each assignment will be worth a predetermined amount of points. The student’s percentage grade will be the amount of points earned divided by the amount of total possible points.
Homework / Classwork
Classwork and homework are extension activities used to support learning and help students master skills introduced in class. These assignments must be completed in full and turned in on time. Assignments are due the next day, unless otherwise specified. Late assignments will not receive full credit.
Make Up Work
Missed work due to excused absences should be made up in a timely fashion. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure missed work is made up. As per the RHAM Handbook, students have one day to make up work for each day of an excused absence. Students can access the Gold Team homepage for homework postings and should check their class Absent Folder for missed assignments upon their return to class.
Conduct
Students are expected to follow all teacher directions, as well as be an active and respectful member of the class. Mature, appropriate, and expected behaviors during classroom discussions and independent/group work, fire drills, lockdown drills, and team meetings/assemblies are nonnegotiable. In addition, students are expected to understand and adhere to the RHAM Middle School Plagiarism policy.