English 7 Syllabus
Teacher:
Mrs. Enos
Team Website: http://team7bwebpage.blogspot.com
Classroom Website: http://enosenglish7.blogspot.com
School E-mail:
Laura.Enos@fpsmail.org
Room: SW 305
Welcome to English 7! This course offers you the
opportunity to grow as a writer, reader and analyzer. Whether you feel reading great literature or
improving in your writing skills is important to you or not, hopefully by the
end of the year you will see how applicable the issues we cover in class are
connected to the topics that you will be faced with beyond this classroom
experience. Remember, we aren’t all
starting at the same place—our strengths and weaknesses are as varied as our
personalitiesJ. Each of us can improve this year if we work
together to build a strong classroom community.
Materials:
A notebook or binder with paper for brainstorming, in-class activities,
homework and background notes, a folder to store your writing
assignments
(don’t throw them away until the end of
each semester), and writing utensils.
Optional: a flash drive (only if you
plan to work on your writing both here at
school and at home), not a requirement
Agenda:
Writing Assignments: This will entail
journaling, writing reflections,
formulating
discussion questions, brainstorming, outlining, and essay writing. A
variety
of genres (descriptive, narrative, research-based, persuasive, drama and
poetry) will
be covered with a strong emphasis on descriptive writing to prepare
you for
next year’s State-Wide 8th Grade Writing Assessment.
Reading: We will examine a variety of authors
and a variety of literary genres:
novels, fictional short stories
(including realistic-fiction, myths, legends, folktales), poetry, non-fiction,
and drama.
Novel schedule:
-1st quarter = Fiction
Choice Reading Book & Presentation
-2nd quarter = Class
Novel: Fever 1793 (Historical-Fiction)
-3rd quarter = Nonfiction
Choice Reading Book & Presentation
-4th quarter = Class
Novel: Touching Spirit Bear
(Adventure)
* Leisure Reading/ROOTb: Our reading goal for the year is
that every student reads at least 8 (new to him/her) novels/books of his/her
choice (4 fiction & 4 nonfiction) that are at or above his/her reading
level.
Quizzes: Vocabulary, reading, and grammar quizzes will be given
periodically with the purpose of holding you accountable for keeping up with
reading assignments and checking your comprehension and understanding of the
information being learned in class.
Texts/Exams: Tests will be given at the
completion of each novel or unit. There
will
always be an in-class review and study guide given prior to the test.
Homework Policy
Philosophy:
- Homework
provides time outside of the classroom for students to practice and deepen
their understanding of the content being presented in class.
- Homework
is meant to be set at an appropriate level based on a student’s prior
knowledge or level of exposure to specific content.
- Regardless
of student ability or prior coursework, the amount of time students
actively and attentively devote to homework increases their
achievement.(Keith & Cool, 1992)
- Feedback
will be given along with a grade for all turned in homework
assignments. I make an effort for
assigned homework to not be “busywork” but to possess quality/purpose in
your child’s learning experience.
- Parent Involvement:
- Parents
should set regular time frames, a place to focus, and clear expectations
for where and when their children will work on homework.
- Encourage
the following skills with your child throughout the school year:
responsibility, confidence, persistence, goal-setting, and planning.
- Facilitate
homework completion, not teach content
- Encouraging
healthy study habits supports learning.
Not only will your child see and feel the reward for his/her
efforts, but they will grow in their ability to effectively handle areas
of difficulty (Bempechat 2004).
Grading:
assignment grades are based on total points—every assignment countsJ
·
A = 100% - 93%
·
B = 92% - 86%
·
C = 85% -78%
·
D = 77% -70%
·
F = 69% - Below
·
You will receive two days for every one day
missed of class to make up any homework that was given/assigned the day of your
absence.
Late Homework: If your homework is
not completed at the time it is due, you may turn it in the next day at the
beginning of class, completed, for a maximum score or 80% (C). If the assignment is turned in more than one
day late, but completed, before the end of the unit, then the student can earn
up to a 70% (D-/passing). A student can
turn in completed-late work up until the end of the quarter, but if we have
moved on to a new unit, the highest grade that can be earned at this point is a
50%/half credit.
Extra Credit:
·
Bonus
point opportunities will be given before most quizzes and tests on review
days. This may come in the form of an
online discussion question (in such a case, lab time would be provided for the
students to completed this task if he/she so wishes) or through an in-class
review activity.
·
If there
are events at the school/community that are English-related, then extra credit
towards your final grade will be developed as both an opportunity for continued
learning and a way to improve your grade in class.
·
There cannot be any missing homework in the
grade book in order to receive extra credit points.
Procedures/Rules:
·
Tardiness: If you arrive late to class, you must have a legitimate pass from a FMS
staff member.
·
Etiquette: It is important that all students treat one another with kindness and
respect. The Student Handbook clearly
defines the four levels of misconduct and corresponding disciplinary actions. The rules of the Student Handbook will be
enforced at all times in this classroom.
Lunch detentions will be administered if there is continued
misbehaving after the first time a minor offense was addressed. Please respect the learning environment to
avoid any such consequence. If the misbehaviors continue both the counseling
department and parental units will be contacted in order to best address the
issue.
Leaving the Room: Restroom and water breaks should be taken care of during the passing
period or after initial instruction. I
will make exceptions if you have special needs or are not feeling well, but
please let me know at the start of class or ask for a pass (all passes will be
given on the back page of your student planner/agenda). I’m
looking forward to an exciting 7th grade year!