Syllabus

Course Goals:

The overall goal of this class is to build competent readers, writers and speakers. The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade reading and language arts curriculum consists of skills focused on comprehension, vocabulary, the literary elements, speaking, grammar skills, and writing to aid in the acquisition of the English language.

Also…

To learn to communicate effectively through writing, speaking, and active listening.

To understand and effectively use steps in the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising/editing, and publishing.

To understand and effectively use the Six-Traits + 1 writing model: ideas/content, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions.

To learn research skills.

To use/learn organization and study skills.

To understand word parts and relate these to spelling practice and writing.

To determine meanings of words and phrases.

To understand the purpose of text features, text structure, and the author’s purpose.

To use the literary elements in reading and comprehending literature.

Procedures:

The students will follow a routine at the beginning of everyday. The routine will include a combination of the following activities:

5-10 minute Bell Ringer activity at the beginning of class. Students will correct sentences with grammatical errors, interpret figurative language, write from a prompt, or complete a starter sentence.
15-20 minutes of direct teaching.
10 minutes of group discussion
5 minute exit ticket.

Grading:

Each grade will be based on a 100 point scale. At least two grades will be taken weekly.

Minor grade= 30% : Classwork, quizzes, reading responses, DOL, homework

Major Grades: 70%: Benchmark exams, projects, interactive journals

Late and Make-up Policy:

Assignments due dates will be given to the students when a project is assigned. It will be up to the student to make arrangements for make-up work if they are going to be or have been absent. Failure to do so could result in a zero for the assignment. If they are late, the following grading policy will occur:

1 day late = 10 points off
2 days late= 20 points off
3 days late= 30 points off

**Assignments not turned in after three days will receive a zero.

**If the student is absent and does not bring in a doctor's excuse, they have 1 day to make up the assignment.

**If the student is in ISS, they have to come to class to get their assignment and are expected to complete it in the time allotted.

Homework Policy for Reading Class:

1. 20 minutes of reading every night. (Homework is part of the weekly grades)

2. 1-2 minute response of their self chosen reading on Flipgrid once a week.

3. Any work not completed during the class time.

Classroom Expectations:

Students will always be expected to follow the 7 Habits and remain courteous to classmates as well as any guest in the classroom. All school policies and classroom rules will be enforced in full. The student handbook describes these policies completely.

Students are responsible for knowing their grades at all times. All grades are posted at the beginning of every week in my classroom/online by student ID number. You, as a parent, can use the parent portal weekly to look up your child’s grades. It is up to the student to talk to the teacher if there is a problem with an assignment or grade average. Waiting until the end of the six weeks is too late!

Classroom Rules:

Be prepared and ready to begin as soon as the tardy bell rings.

Bring all supplies and needed materials to class daily.
Be on task at all times.
Be respectful of others/follow all school rules.
***In School only***
Cell phones and electronics will NOT be permitted. If your child has a cell phone, it MUST be kept in their backpacks at all times. If student does not abide by this, confiscation of the phone will result, and a $15.00 fee will be charged.

Consequences for Students’ Misbehavior

Verbal warning
Student/Team conference
Parent/Team conference
Write up (level 2) and sent to the principal’s office

Extended Day Policy (Tutoring):

If your child is failing a course, of feels that they need extra help, they may attend a tutoring class as needed. During extended day, the students will be tutored in whatever objectives they have yet to master.

All students are welcomed to attend regardless of grades.

Course Description:

We will be using a variety of resources for many skills lessons in vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and speaking to engage the student and aid in their acquisition of the English language.

Students will take part in oral reading, silent reading, literary discussions, and a variety of genre studies.

Books will be read in small groups, by teacher read-aloud, or as a whole class.

Students will read and respond to literature of all kinds. They will analyze and synthesize what they read and write in English, and will be given opportunities to utilize these strategies through class assignments and projects.

Students will plan and generate writing for a variety of purposes. The student will be guided to approach writing in a logical and organized manner with proper elaboration and the correct grammar components.

This class includes both teacher directed as well as self-selected activities. Students will have opportunities to work independently, within groups, and to implement the use of teacher directed technology in the classroom.

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