Beal City Public Schools

English 7 Syllabus

BEAL CITY DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT

Beal City Schools, in harmony with the home and community,

will educate our children in a positive learning environment

that meets individual needs and goals in order that all students

successfully function in an ever-changing global society.

Information:

Course: English 7

Teacher: Ms. Holt

Email Address:

Term: Full Year – 1 Credit

Location: 310

School Phone:(989)644-3944 Extension 2310

Office Hours: Before and after school or by arrangement

Preparation Period: Second Period; 9:00am – 9:55am

Textbook:

Title: Pearson Common Core Literature: Grade 7

Course Description:

English 7 focuses on strengthening each student’s ability to effectively read, write, and communicate, as defined by the Common Core Curriculum, in order to meet college and career expectations. This course will expose students to a variety of genres from novels and short stories, to poetry and plays. Students will be using their textbook, as well as reading three major pieces: Out of the Dust, The Outsiders, and Hollis Woods. In regards to writing, students will compose (but not limited to) narratives, poetry, argumentative essays, expository essays, and analytical essays. English 7 will also include projects, presentations, and short skits. We will work together to develop students’ skills in all areas of English Language Arts.

Course Outline/Assignments

Student learning will be evaluated by a combination of all or some of the following forms of assessment:

  • 100% of the Semester Grade
  • Assigned Reading
  • Key Terms/ vocabulary
  • Handouts
  • Review Questions
  • Announced and Unannounced Quizzes
  • Projects
  • Skits
  • Signed Progress Reports
  • Tests/ quizzes
  • Various Written Assignments (narratives, poems, expository essays, etc.)
  • Notebook Checks
  • Participation
  • Mid-Term Semester Exam (if given)
  • Comprehensive Final Exam (if given)

Materials:

Beal City Public Schools provides all necessary materials and supplies for curricular classes. Parents who wish to supplement these materials and supplies for their student in this class may consider purchasing the following:

Binder to keep track of notes

Notebook for daily entries (please have by 9/12)

Pencils/Pens/Erasers

If you would like to donate to my classroom at any time throughout the year, please consider the following:

Tissues (We are currently out)

Colored Pencils

Markers

Glue Sticks

Antibacterial Wipes

Hand Sanitizer

Notecards

Methodology:

Traditional lecture combined with Socratic seminars, partner work, and both small and large group work. Students will also complete various assignments, skits, and projects that they will complete individually. As a class, we will experiment with learning literature by incorporating theatrical techniques.

Educational Philosophy:

It is my belief that every student has an innate desire to learn, and it is the job of the educator to scaffold students through instruction to facilitate life-long learning. In any subject area, it is important that the main focus is the student and his or her emotional, physical, and mental needs. All students should feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment. If students do not feel safe in their environment then learning necessary content will have been compromised. Similarly, if students feel comfortable in their learning environment and among their peers, they will be more apt to experiment and explore education in the classroom.

Classroom Procedures:

Rules:

  • Be respectful. Toward the teacher, your peers, the classroom, and yourself.
  • Be honest. Tell the truth in all situations.
  • Be prepared. Come to class on-time, ready mentally and physically to learn.
  • Be involved.Whether I ask you questions directly or put you in groups to discuss, please be involved in all that I ask during our short 55 minutes.
  • Be appropriate. Please respect those around you by not engaging in inappropriate conversations and/or asking inappropriate questions.
  • All policies and guidelines set forth in the Beal City Schools Student Handbook are applicable here.

Consequences:

Verbal Warning

Parent Contact

Referral to Administrator

Food/Drink:

  • Food is not allowed in the classroom unless for approved medical reasons.
  • Food in the classroom without approval will be thrown out.
  • Water is the only beverage permitted in the classroom.
  • All other beverages will be removed.

Cheating:

  • A student caught cheating will receive and automatic zero on the assignment/test/paper/quiz etc.
  • That student will also be referred to administration for further punishment.

Cell phones:

  • 1st warning: Verbal warning to remove phone from sight
  • 2nd warning: I keep the phone for the remainder of class period
  • 3rd warning: Referral to Administrator and phone confiscated for remainder of school day.
  • NOTE: Once a student has been given his or her first and second warning, I will jump immediately to the referral. No cell-phones are permitted in the classroom as set forth in the Beal City Schools Student Handbook.
  • Exception: I ask you to bring your phone to class for instructional purposes.

Assignments:

  • All assignments will include the following:

-Full Name

-Class and Period

-Date

  • Assignments are due by the end of class, unless changed by the instructor.
  • All written assignments and projects will have a rubric attached. Please attach the rubric to the FRONT of the assignment.
  • Put your name on all assignments. Failure to do so will put you at risk for zero credit on assignments, and/or late penalties on assignments.

Late Work:

  • Assignments turned in late will lose one letter grade for each day it is late.
  • Example: Student receives a B on an essay (by rubric standard), but because they turned it in one day late they are given a C.
  • Example 2: Student received a perfect score on a book report, but it was turned in 2 days late. The grade will now be a C.
  • Assignments done carelessly will be returned to the student without evaluation.
  • Exception: Students who put considerable effort into an assignment that is late will be given at least a D- grade, regardless of when it is submitted.

Extra Credit:

  • Will be done periodically throughout the year through built in assignments and tasks.
  • Extra Credit will not be accepted if turned in late.

Absences:

  • Please ask a fellow classmate to find out what you missed during your absence, or feel free to ask me before or after school or during some free time.
  • Student Handbook states you will have one day for every one day missed to make up the assignment. This applies for the assignments missed during the absence and not for assignments assigned upon your return.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to get assignments in advance of a pre-planned absence.
  • Due dates will not be altered for a pre-planned absence.
  • Suspensions: A suspended student will not be allowed to make up school work due to suspension and will receive no credit for days missed. Tests and quizzes will be made up and a grade given based on the result of the tests and quizzes per Student Handbook page 33.

Grading Scale:

93% -100%A73% - 76%C

90% - 92%A-70% - 72%C-

87% - 89%B+67% - 69%D+

83% - 86%B63% - 66%D

80% - 82%B-60% - 62%D-

77% - 79%C+0% - 59%E

The above procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

PLEASE SEE LAST PAGE FOR SIGNATURE PORTION OF SYLLABUS

PLEASE KEEP THE SYLLABUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

Parents: Please fill out the following information and have your student return it by September 12, 2016.

------

I ______

(print name)

have read the syllabus and am aware of the expectations and procedures for this class.

Student Signature: ______Date:______

Parent Signature: ______Date:______

Please share with me your preferred email and phone number so that I may contact you in regards to your child.

Parent preferred email: ______

Parent Preferred Phone: ______

Return to: Ms. Holt, English 7