BETTER EDUCATION STARTS TODAY!

Instructor:Pearl Thompson

Diana Cassaro

Angela Stewart

Jennifer Allen

Brenda Garrett

COURSE SUMMARY:Students will use written and oral language, along with media and technology for expressive, informational, argumentative, critical, and literary purposes. During seventh grade, students will expand their use of descriptive words and complex sentences, as well as their choices of writing genres. Students will continue to develop the ability to constructively critique their own and others' work. Seventh graders will give oral presentations and dramatic interpretations for various audiences. Students will analyze the effects media images, text, and sounds have on viewers. Throughout the year, we will use “real-life” applications of writing to encourage students to become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, risk-takers, balanced, caring, and reflective in their learning.

Our study of these topics in Language and Literature will be:

  • Holistic- Students will recognize and apply knowledge of writing in everyday life in preparation for becoming lifelong learners (i.e. real world communication, standardized testing, etc.)
  • Intercultural- Students will understand and appreciate various languages and cultures extending and broadening their viewpoints and international mindedness.
  • Communication- Students will utilize all methods or forms of communication in language arts, which address the basic standards and elements of speaking, viewing, and listening.

UNITS OF STUDY (each unit is 9 weeks):

Writing
Unit 1 / Narrative/Informational
Unit 2 / Argumentative
Unit 3 / Argumentative
Unit 4 / Narrative/Informational/Argumentative (Multi-Genre)

COMMON CORESTANDARDS:

The course content for seventh grade Language and Literature is designed to help students focus on the performance standards. Cobb County has now adopted Georgia Standards of Excellence for Language Arts. Visit this link for a breakdown of the standards:

MYP LANGUAGE AND LITERATUREAIMS:

Language and Literature provides students with opportunities to:

  • Become active learners, efficient test takers, effective time managers, excellent organizers, competent researchers, and skillful communicators
  • Analyze and talk and/or write about texts that have been viewed
  • Ask and answer pertinent questions
  • Write in a variety of forms
  • Conduct simple and advanced research and present research findings orally and in writing
  • Use the media center and information technology effectively
  • Reflect critically on their own work and that of their peer

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE MISSION STATEMENT:

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT:

A balance of formative and summative assessments will be used to assess student learning. Rubrics and checklists will provide students with assignment expectations.

GRADING AND REPORTING:

Class averages will be determined using the following weighted averages for content to be covered. Parents may access Synergy Internet Viewer (SIV) to view your student’s grades, missing assignments, and attendance. In addition, at least two specific tasks (assignments) are assessed for the four criterion each quarter. Reflecting on these assessments over time and with an eye toward growth over the course, the teacher and student will work together to make a final judgment for each criterion. The sum of these final levels of achievement, as determined by current MYP grade boundaries, establishes the student's final grade in the course – supplying each student with a numerical CCSD grade and a school wide MYP International Baccalaureate grade. These include: Criterion A: Analyzing;Criterion B: Organization; Criterion C: Producing Text: Criterion D: Using Language.

  • Text Types and Purposes: 25%
  • Research to Build and Present Knowledge: 20%
  • Production and Distribution of Writing : 20%
  • Speaking and Listening: 10%
  • Language: Conventions: 20%
  • Summative Task: 5%

Late work is discouraged. If a student turns in a late assignment for any reason other than being absent, a penalty will apply. Students with absences are given the amount of days absent from class to make up any assignments. Regardless of the reason, it is your student’s responsibility to make up missed work and make arrangements with the teacher to complete the missed assignments.

CONDUCT:

Student must follow the Campbell’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supportsas outlined in the Student Agenda. The agenda must be with students at all times and will serve as their hall pass. Addition, students are expected to abide by ALL classroom procedures and expectations, as well as come daily in the CMS Standard Dress Attire. Conduct grades will be determined using the number of classroom infractions earned by a student during the grading period. Additionally, the teacher’s assessment of the student’s overall behavior in his/her class will be considered in assigning conduct grades.

______

Student Name (Print)DateParent/Guardian SignatureDate

______

Parent/Guardian Contact Number(s)Email Address