Welcome Mrs. Turner 7th Lit and Strategies email: turner.vicki@westada.org Phone: 350-4270 ext. 1204

About me… I’ve been teaching middle school for 23 years; this will be year 24. I’ve taught all grades… 6th, 7th, and 8th and have always taught Language Arts. I have 3 daughters, 1 dog, 1 cat, and 1 rabbit. All that’s missing is a chicken and pig. I am a strict, but fair teacher.

Today we will… Go over the Class syllabus, class rules and excitations, classroom procedures, and credit requirements.

Quarter One Overview: River of Change During quarter one, students will explore how change influences self-reflection and one’s world view. In the process of transitioning from childhood to adulthood, adolescents develop their personal belief systems, adapt to change, and explore different perspectives. Exposure to works of literature guides students to self-reflection and understanding about their personal beliefs. Through reading, analyzing and evaluating narrative and informational texts and writing informational texts, students will examine how change causes personal growth.

Quarter Two Overview: Struggles & Justice The nature of society generates struggles and injustice. Some individuals within society face strife and injustice. Tolerance and acceptance are essential in overcoming obstacles. During the second quarter, students will learn about societal struggles and injustice by interacting with a variety of informational texts and media. These resources provide a basis for researching and analyzing conflict and overcoming struggles and injustice.  

Quarter Three Overview: Triumph Over Trial Everyone faces trials in life. Some trials are emotional; some are physical. During 3rd quarter, students will examine how individuals triumph over their trials through reading a variety of both fiction and nonfiction.   Quarter Four Overview: Beyond Boundaries During the fourth quarter, students will draw on the skills practiced during the school year to engage in a variety of literary explorations through reading.

Class expectations… Be Respectful/Polite Be Prompt/Prepared Be Responsible

What it means to be Prompt, Prepared, Polite, Respectful, Responsible, etc… Respectful/Polite: no put-downs raise your hand when you have something to say do not talk when teacher or someone else has the floor do not disturb your neighbor do not touch other’s belongings treat substitutes with the utmost respect; not doing so will result in a discipline referral stay focused during instruction stay on task during work time if you make a mess, clean it up no horseplay if the door is shut, DO NOT ENTER

Prompt/Prepared: be in your seat ready to learn when the bell rings; not doing so could result in a tardy before the tardy bell rings, take care of business: make sure you have materials needed for class, turn in papers, sharpen pencils, get out needed materials materials needed for class: *composition book *pencil with good eraser *agenda book *always have something to work on: homework from another class, S.S.R. book, etc.

Responsible: turn work in on time in the correct basket during drills, you must be silent, listen to instructions, and be cooperative library time must be silent, and you must listen to instructions remain seated at all times—there are exceptions we’ll discuss later I dismiss you, not the bell; if there is no academic instruction going on, you may pack up one minute prior to the bell no gathering at the door—EVER!! floor must be clean and materials put away before you will be dismissed

Let’s have a great year!!!! Additional Information: Common Grading Policy—on syllabus homework responsibility—on syllabus lunch passes when to get out of your seat during academic instruction: sick, tissue, sharpen pencil gum chewing phone use Heads Up! warnings hand raising during academic instruction Save all papers and work!!! my personal area recycle whenever possible Let’s have a great year!!!!

Credit requirements

Teacher Website (Schoolwires): This is a great place for all classroom resources. Parents and you will have access to assignments, due dates, projects, and handouts. Schoolwires links: http://www.westada.org/Domain/2096 Feel free to email if you are sick, going on a trip, or need some extra help. No printer, no internet? Use computers at school or public library. Save to a flash drive and print at school, or email me your assignments. You are responsible to follow up and make sure I received it. turner.vicki@westada.org