Morgan Road Middle School

…Be Inspired!!

Morgan Road Middle School

7th Grade Reading

Ms. Kay A. Crawford, ABD

Course Syllabus 2016-2017

Welcome to the 2016-17 school year at Morgan Road Middle School. We are looking to an exciting year of academic growth. Working together we can ensure your child a productive and positive school year. Please feel free to e-mail me at anytime to schedule a conference or if you have a concern. I am looking forward to getting to know your child.

Course Description and Objectives

Instructional Philosophy

It is my goal to ensure that students learn the fundamental content of the courses I teach, my objectives as a middle school teacher are as follows: (a) to foster critical thinking skills; (b) to facilitate the acquisition of lifelong learning skills; (c) to help students develop evidence based problem solving; and (d) to prepare students for academic growth and function as productive citizen.

Major Course Goals

This course focuses on an appreciation of written and spoken language, as well as media and technology for expressive, informational, argumentative, critical, and literary purposes. The course enables students to study and analyze compelling literature and to explore author’s craft. The student will read a target number of books or word count equivalent from a variety of genres, subjects and disciplines. The student expands his or her choices of writing modes and the students explore different types of sentence structure and more complex convention techniques. The student will compose writing in a variety of genres (narrative, expository, technical, response to literature, and argumentative) and increase abilities in writing, editing, and proofreading. The student will engage in oral presentations and dramatic interpretation; the student will explore the effects of media images, texts, and sounds. The student will continue learning the components of research. The student will also engage in viewing, listening, and speaking activities.

Course Assessment Plan

Students will receive a variety of assignments designed to enhance their learning. If a student is absent, the student is responsible for the missed assignment. Students who have an excused absence will be allowed five days to turn in the missed assignment. No work will be accepted after five days.

ELA/Reading:

Course Description: The 7th grade language arts program will follow the curriculum mandated by Georgia’s State Department of Education which includes, but is not limited to: demonstrating comprehension and showing evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts; understanding and acquiring new vocabulary and using it correctly in reading and writing; participating in discussion related to curricular learning in all subject areas; producing writings that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader; maintains a coherent focus throughout, and provides a satisfying closure; and demonstrating competence in a variety of genres.

This year ELA will be administered in 2 parts, Reading and ELA – I will focus on the Reading and Vocabulary component of ELA

The Following Standards will be covered in the Reading Class:

ELAGSE7RI1: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text

ELAGSE7RI4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.

ELAGSE7RI5: Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.

ELAGSE7RI9: Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing the different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts.

ELAGSE7RI10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

ELAGSE7RL1: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

ELAGSE7RL2: Determine a theme and/or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.

ELAGSE7RL3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how settings shape the characters or plot).

ELAGSE7RL4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.

ELAGSE7RL5: Analyze how a drama’s or poem’s form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.

ELAGSE7RL6: Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

ELAGSE7RL7: Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film).

ELAGSE7RL9: Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means or understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history.

ELAGSE7RL10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

Course Outline

1. Focusing on Lexile Levels

2. Previewing: Learning about a text before really reading it. .

3. Contextualizing: Placing a text in its historical, biographical, and cultural contexts.

4. Questioning to understand and remember: Asking questions about the content.

5. Reflecting on challenges to your beliefs and values: Examining your personal responses.

6. Outlining and summarizing: Identifying the main ideas and restating them in your own words.

7. Evaluating an argument: Testing the logic of a text as well as its credibility and emotional impact.

8. Comparing and contrasting related readings

Successful completion of course, students must be able to demonstrate mastery of:

· Increase of lexile band range

· Increase compression

· Demonstrate mastery of lesson content according to the CCGPS standards at levels of 70% or higher.

Units:

Unit 1 and 2
Title: Its Takes a Village (Novel- The Glory Field) / Reading Focus- Literary; Writing Focus: Informative; conventions
Unit 3 –
Title: The Power of Choice (Novel- They Broke the law You be the Judge) / Reading Focus- Informational; Writing Focus: Argumentative; conventions
Unit 4 –
Title: Perfectly Imperfect – The Giver / Reading Focus- Literary; Writing Focus- Argumentative; conventions
Unit 5 -
Title: Information Station (Dragon’s Blood) / Reading Focus- Informational; Writing Focus: Informative/Explanatory; conventions

Technology:

Students’ will have access to their textbooks and assignments according to the following:

Reading / Pearsonsuccessnet.com / Myhrw.com
Studystacks.com / Lexile.com

Agenda’s

Students should record all homework, due dates, and upcoming tests dates in their agenda. Parents need to sign agenda’s nightly. Agenda checks will be performed on a weekly basis.

Homework Policy

I believe in homework. Homework is like practicing a musical instrument. For instance, in order to become better at reading and writing, a student must practice. Homework will always be used to reinforce a skill that has already been introduced. The amount will vary; usually, homework is not assigned over holidays and on Fridays.

Journal Writing Every Day

Daily journal writing is utilized to meet:

· JOURNALS

· FOCUS STUDENTS AND BUILD SKILLS

· TO DEVELOP PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

· DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING AND PROCESSING SKILLS

· METHODS FOR SELF –REFLECTIONS

· CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT FOR EFFECTIVE DIALOG

· DEVELOP BRAINSTORMING AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Classroom Expectations

Evaluation –

Summative Assessments 30% (minimum of three per grading period)

Formative Assessments 60% (minimum of nine per grading period)

Homework/Other 10% (at teacher’s discretion)

Grading Policy

A 100-90

B 89-80

C 79-75

D 74-70

F 69 and below

Expectations

Follow all school rules and policies

- Being Respectful

- Being Responsible

- Be a Leader

Classroom Procedures & Expectation

Discipline Policy

In order to guarantee your child and all the students in our classes the excellent educational climate they deserve; it will not be tolerable for a student to stop me from teaching nor any student stopping another from learning. Therefore, in my classroom I will utilize the following discipline plan:

Students must:

· FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

· BE IN YOUR SEAT AND READY TO WORK WHEN THE BELL RINGS.

· BE PREPARED FOR CLASS WITH BOOK, PAPER AND PENCILS EVERYDAY.

· RAISE YOUR HAND TO SPEAK AND WAIT TO BE CALLED UPON.

· DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR SEAT WITHOUT PERMISSION.

· KEEP YOUR HANDS, FEET, AND OBJECTS TO YOURSELF, SO NOT BOTHER OTHER PEOPLE’S BELONGINGS.

· SHOW RESPECT TO YOURSELF AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU !!!

Furthermore:

1. Walk into the classroom quietly and take your seat.

2. If you are tardy, you must have a pass from either the office or teacher that kept you late.

3. If need be, sharpen your pencil or visit the wastebasket before class begins. This must be done within the first minute of coming to class.

4. As soon as you are seated, get out all materials needed for class.

5. During assessments you are to raise your hand if you have a question and I will come to you. Always bring a book to read after you finish your test as not everyone will finish the test at the same time.

6. During class work, raise your hand and I will come to you and if I am with another student, wait patiently and I will get to your question.

8. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check with me to see which assignments you missed. It is your responsibility to complete the assignments within five days.

9. Do not stand up, pack your book bag, clear off your desk or leave the classroom until instructed to do so.

10. During a fire or tornado drill, remain calm and walk quietly to our designated areas.

11. During any announcements be quiet and listen until they are finished.

Students who choose to break the rules will be dealt with accordingly.

Course Materials/ Supply List

· Pencil zipper bag

· Box of crayons

· Fine tip classic color Markers

· Broad tip classic color markers

· Scissors

· Large glue sticks

· White school glue

· Facial tissue

· Antibacterial wipes

· Colored pencils

· Pencils

· Hand held Pencil sharpener

· Composition notebook

· Red pens

· White Cop paper

· Highlighters

· Large pink erasers

· Head phones

· Dry erase markers

· 2- 3 prong pocket notebooks

Please consider donating to our class:

· Pack of white paper

· Hand sanitizers

· Paper towels

· Antibacterial wipes

· Large Ziploc bags

Homework Policy and Grading Scale

Homework Policy and Grading Scale will be the same policies adopted by RCBOE.

Time and Place to be Reached by Parent

· Email:

· Webpage: http://www.rcboe.org/Domain/2646

· In order to schedule a conference with your teachers, please contact the Guidance Office 706-796.4992.

STUDENTS: I have high expectations for your work. Always strive for excellence in your projects and activities. Try to stretch yourself beyond your comfort limits! Try new things. “I would rather try great things and fail than to try nothing ad succeed” is good advice.

If students are to succeed and achieve academic progress, then they must be prepared for class! All students should bring paper, pens/pencils, textbook and homework to class each day. DO NOT bring cell phones, MP3 players or iPods to my classroom. Students should not bring any food, candy or bottle water or other beverages to class.

CODE FOR SUCCESS

Bring all materials needed for class

Be respectable and courteous to teacher and classmates

Participate positively in class activities

Listen attentively to all speakers

Work quietly and enjoy LEARNING!

Sincerely,

Kay A. Crawford, ABD

Please sign and return this form to acknowledge that you have read this letter with your child.

Parent/Guardian ______Date ______

Student ______Birthdate ______

Contact Numbers: Home ______Cell______

Additional Emergency information (if needed) ______

Email Address (please print) ______

Additional information: ______Is Texting ok? ______

If so, what number ______

Person(s) who should not received academic or behavioral information concerning your child: ______

Textbook Distribution

Please discuss with your student the best option for textbook distribution and check your first choice below

(This is for surveying purposes only.)

z I have Internet access at home and can use the online version of the textbook for homework assignments.

z I do not have the Internet at home or I prefer to have a hard copy of the textbook at home

Please go to my website and complete the form to receive the team’s weekly news letter and homework information.. http://www.rcboe.org/Page/17611