Course Syllabus

Course: 7th Grade Language Arts

Teacher: Mrs. Kasey Haynes

Course Description:

The Douglas County middle school language arts program provides a balanced curriculum directed toward enhancing all components of language.

Course Objectives:

The seventh grade curriculum standards are based on the Common Core Performance Standards. For a detailed analysis of these standards, go to .

The following are domains of learning which comprise the standards investigated by the middle school student:

1-Writing

2-Conventions

3-Listening/Speaking/Viewing

Textbooks:

All textbooks are used in the classroom as a class set only.

  • Elements of Language. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Inc., 2010.
  • Literature. McDougall Littell, 2009.

Use of Materials:

  • Notebook –

Students keep a 3-ring binder with five dividers. Approximately 10 sheets of clean notebook paper should be kept behind each divider. Please be diligent as a parent to help your child build his organizational skills by keeping an organized binder.

One divider should be labeled Language Arts. No paper is to ever be taken from the binder unless the teacher expressly asks the student to remove a given paper from the rings. Within this section, students are expected to keep vocabulary and grammar lessons. Students are encouraged to share all grades with parents so that they can receive help in areas of weakness.

  • Composition Book or one-subject spiral notebook.

This item will be utilized as a “home” forthe students’ works in progress.

  • Writing Instruments –

Students are to write either with a pencil (not for final draft of a paper), an erasable pen, or a standard ink pen, whichever produces the neatest product. An adequate number of writing instruments should be kept with the student to allow the student to be prepared at all times.

  • Art materials – Students may want to have colored pencils, markers, and/or crayons for in-class mini-projects.

Grading Policy: Advanced Content

Class work – 35% Homework/Participation –10% District Assessment/Tests - 35% Projects – 20%

  • Language Arts Components:
  • Writing- Douglas Co. adopted the Lucy Caulkins writing program. It consists of three writing units: realistic fiction, informational and argumentative writing. To supplement the program, other forms of expressive writing will also be explored as a viable way to communicate. All skills learned throughout the year culminate within student writing.
  • Vocabulary- Vocabulary will be incorporated throughout the year. We will begin with commonly confused words and homophones after which more specific vocabulary will be learned. It is important that students utilize the vocabulary they are learning.
  • Grammar/Usage/Mechanics- Direct instruction of grammar (parts of speech/sentence), usage (i.e. subject/verb agreement), and mechanics (capitalization and punctuation) are taught to students through the Daily Grammar Practice program. Frequent review at home of daily lessons is helpful.
  • Daily CATS (Class Activity To Start) address language, as a whole, focusing on parts of speech, parts of a sentence, sentence structure, usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. CATS may be taken for participation grades.
  • Homework Policy:

All homework is expected to be turned in on the day that it is due as indicated in the student handbook. All assignments are due on the next school day unless otherwise noted. Late assignments will be accepted for a reduction in grade of 10-20%. A maximum of one week is allowed for make-up work due to excused absences without a reduction in grade.

  • Behavior Expectations :

Students are expected to maintain self-control by following procedures as outlined in the Seven-Two Team Discipline plan and school guidelines as stated in the CHMS handbook.

  • Scheduling Conferences:

Conferences may be scheduled as needed by the team, teacher, or parent.

  • Communication:

Communication can be made through the agenda, a separate note, a phone call, and/or an e-mail. If communication with me is needed immediately, e-mails are the best way to contact me. The student agenda book is the best tool in communicating what goes on during the school day and what is expected of the student for the following day(s). The student writes in the agenda book to communicate to him or herself what was done during class for the day and/or what assignments are due; the teacher signs the agenda book to communicate to the parent(s) that the assignment is correctly written; the parent(s) sign the agenda book each evening to communicate to the teacher that he/she has read the day’s agenda messages and any teacher notations. It can be helpful to ask your student to show you completed homework. (Homework assignments written in the agenda will be reviewed/submitted the next day in class, so it will never be taken on the day it is assigned.) Consequences such as silent lunch and at-home detention will also be recorded in the agenda.

My e-mail address:

The CHMS phone number: 770-651-5082