Mrs. Enos' Excellent Exclamations

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 8^th 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:

-1^st quarter = Fiction Choice Reading Book & Presentation

-2^nd quarter = Class Novel: Fever 1793 (Historical-Fiction)

-3^rd quarter = Nonfiction Choice Reading Book & Presentation

-4^th 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:

- developed by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (2005) found on http:// www.netc.org/focus/strategies/home.php

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 7^th grade year!