Welcome to 7th grade Language Arts Back to School Night 2017-18

Pacing Guide Fall Units: How Fiction Works: the Interdependence of Literary Elements Writing Focus – Narrative, Argumentative Reading and Writing Argumentative Texts Word Study - Greek & Latin roots

Pacing Guide Winter Units: Tackling Complex Literature Two Sides to Every Story: Understanding POV in Literature Writing Focus - Text Dependent Analysis Word Study - Greek & Latin roots

Pacing Guide Spring Units: Researching and Arguing Debatable Issues Reading, Writing, and Responding to Non-Fiction Texts Writing Focus - Informational Word Study - Greek & Latin roots

Expectations Must do: Standard Should do: Accelerated Can do: Exemplary

Outside Reading PCR=Personal Choice Reading 30 minutes of PCR five times a week or the equivalent of 80-100 pages per week Just Right – 18 pages in 30 minutes

Department Grading Policy Summative Assessments 55% Formative Assessments 40% Homework 5%

What you can do to help… Use my teacher website Contact me with concerns – please give me 48 hours to reply Donate gently used books Scholastic Book orders, library trips Model reading Newspapers, book clubs, novels Pick up a copy of your child’s PCR book

Department Grading Policy HW = short assignments to be completed outside of class HW assignments are checked for completion only.         Complete and on time HW assignment = +2 points               Partially complete HW assignment on due date = +1 point       Missing HW assignment on due date = 0 point Complete HW assignment one day late = +1 point (must be submitted within one week for partial credit)                                                                   

A successful student… Makes reading outside of school a regular part of the homework routine. Reads teacher comments on writing to improve future writing pieces. Uses 8th period to: seek additional help and practice before completing homework. initiate a writing conference. Uses technology to: check my webpage AFTER 3:15 for homework when absent. check my website for a copy of a missing paper prior to asking for another copy from me. check Skyward regularly for missing assignments as well as grades. Shares what is being read and learned with others.