7th Grade English Ariton High School Phone: 334-762-2371

Teacher: Mrs. Tiffany Snell Room: 6-106 email:

Introduction and Overview of the Course

Over the course of eighteen weeks, students will learn and apply rules of grammar and strive to improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Students will study American literature and world literature that influenced the development of American literature. American literature will be taught within the context of history, and excerpts from biographies and autobiographies, as well as novels, short stories, and poetry will be studied. This course is designed to familiarize students with authors and literary developments throughout various historical periods in American literature, to deepen students’ understanding of literary elements and authors’ rhetorical techniques used in effective communication, to sharpen language skills that will be tested on the ACT and the Alabama Reading and Math Test, to increase word power through the study of vocabulary, and to enhance writing skills in a variety of modes. These goals are outlined in more detail in the Alabama Course of Study.

Writing lessons will center on improving students’ writing skills, focusing students’ attention on effective sentence-expansion techniques and organizational skills in order to prepare them for success in academics and in real life. Students are expected to read all assigned readings, read and study the novel Out of the Dust, Fever 1793 and Freak the Mighty.

It is my goal to prepare each student not only for success on the ACT but also for life. I am confident that through hard work and cooperation students will achieve success in these assessment areas and will be prepared for the demands of high school classes in the future.

Course Guidelines and Expectations

  • Homework: Students will have assignments to complete almost every night, especially reading or writing of some kind.
  • Vocabulary: Students will take a vocabulary test (approximately 60 words) every three or four weeks. The vocabulary will come from the literature unit being studied at the time.
  • Tests: Tests will cover grammar and literature units completed. Students should reread literature selections and study notes and terms in preparation for literature tests.
  • Reading and special projects: Work on most of these assignments will be done in class. Students are expected to complete reading assignments and/or writing assignments not completed in class for homework. Reading quizzes are given routinely on assigned readings.
  • Textbooks: Students will use two textbooks: Writer’sChoice andReader’s Choice along with other issued materials such as books for outside reading.

Grades

Your grade will be determined by weighted averages in the following categories: writing, tests, projects, daily grades, midterm, and final exam. Progress reports are given to all students approximately 4 ½ weeks into the nine-week grading period.

1st Nine Weeks2nd Nine Weeks

Daily 15%15%

Tests`45%45%

Writing 40%40%

Texts

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Reader’s Choice(Glencoe)Out of the DustFever 1793

Writer’s Choice (Glencoe) Freak the Mighty

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Supplies

  • Supply of pens (black or blue ink only) and pencils; (All formal writing assignments are to be completed in ink. Assignments written in pencil will be not accepted.)
  • Highlighter pen
  • Supply of loose-leaf paper (college-ruled)
  • Three-ring binder with dividers (Label in this order: Warm-ups, Vocabulary, Language, Literature, Writing)
  • Flash driveor some type mass storage device

Donations

The items listed below will help the classroom run more smoothly and comfortably for the students. Due to proration, we will not receive as much money for classroom supplies as we have received in the past. Therefore, I am asking for help with consumables such as the items listed below. I understand that everyone is feeling the economic squeeze as the recession drags on, but if everyone will contribute a small part to the classroom, all students will benefit greatly. Please attach your name to the items or to the bag so that I can properly acknowledge your gift. Thank you, in advance, for your support.

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  • Box of tissues (any size)
  • Reams of white or colored paper
  • Paper towels
  • Hand sanitizer (we go through these bottles quickly)
  • Post-it notes (any size)
  • Packs of markers or colored pencils (for in-class activities)
  • Dry erase markers(not the low odor kind)
  • Dry erase board erasers

Discipline Plan: I do not expect to encounter behavior problems in class. If a problem does arise, I will try to handle the matter quietly outside of class with the student. If necessary, a phone call will be made to the parent in an attempt to correct this issue before involving the administration. If these attempts fail, and the student’s behavior continues to be inappropriate for a classroom setting, I will document the incident by completing an office referral. The matter will then be resolved through involvement of AHS administration.

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Conferences: Communication between home and school is very important. Please contact the front office at 762-2371 to schedule a conference if you have any concerns about the course or about your child’s progress. You may also email me at with any concern you may have.

Absences and Make-up Work: Due to block scheduling, we move at a very steady pace; it is, therefore, imperative that students come to class prepared with the appropriate texts and completed assignments. It is the responsibility of each student to keep up with all of his or her assignments and to make up all missed work in a timely manner. Students are expected to make up tests within three class days of their return to class. Students will only be allowed to make up work if their absence is excused. If tests are not made up within this time frame, the grade will become a zero.

Tardy policy:

  • Students should be in their seats with all materials and books needed for class when the tardy bell rings.
  • Students are asked to be responsible and accountable by signing the tardy roster each time they are tardy.
  • If tardies become excessive (three or more), after school detention will be assigned.
  • If tardies continue to be a problem, students will receive an office referral.
  • A tardy is considered excused only if the student brings a written excuse from an administrator who may have detained him or her, resulting in the tardy.

Homework policy:

  • Written homework assignments will be collected on the announced due date and assessed a grade based on accuracy and completion.
  • Homework will not be accepted late. Homework is designed to prepare students for class or reinforce skills learned in class. The relevancy and purpose of the assignment is lost when students turn in assignments late. It is the responsibility of the student to turn in work in a timely manner, respecting established deadlines.

Course Work

  • Warm-up Activity: Each day class will begin with a warm-up activity. This may be a language exercise, sentences to edit on the overhead, a quote or question to which students are asked to write a response or some other assignment on the board or on a handout. Students are expected to settle down quickly and begin the exercise immediately. These assignments are to be kept in the front of their notebooks, labeled by the title of the activity and the date of the assignment. These assignments will be checked weekly and a grade assigned for the warm-ups.
  • Vocabulary: The vocabulary words (approximately 60 per unit of study) will come from the literature we read. These words and definitions should be kept in the second section of the English notebook. These words may appear on the midterm, unit tests, and the final. There will also be a separate vocabulary test, usually every 3-4 weeks.
  • Language: Grammar will be covered in the form of mini-lessons and will focus on the mechanics and rules of grammar necessary in writing effectively.
  • Literature: We will read and study a broad range of American and world literature, studying the selections historically, examining how writers make stylistic decisions and use rhetorical devices to produce effective writing. There will be tests, writing assignments, research projects, and group-work assignments on the literature read and studied.
  • Writing: Emphasis will be on the process of writing—prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing (typing a neat and polished piece). Papers should follow procedures for formatting papers reviewed in class.
  • Special Projects and Research Paper: Each nine weeks projects and papers will be assigned on major literary works. These assignments sometimes will involve research. Students will be given handouts explaining the project or writing assignments at least one week before the due date. Most of this work will be completed in class.

A final note to students: As your teacher, I will, to the best of my ability, attempt to prepare you for the demands of English courses in high school. Therefore, this class is designed to teach you skills to enable you to be a successful student beyond the bounds of my classroom. Developing and sharpening critical thinking skills and then writing a quality paper require time and effort on your part. I assure you that growing beyond what you think you can do can be a very rewarding and gratifying experience. I am glad you are in my class, and I look forward to guiding you in your growth as a reader and as a writer. It’s going to be a great semester!

Please sign and return this form as soon as possible.

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