Building Future Leaders, Mrs. Constance 7th Grade ELA Fontainebleau Junior High FJH Building Future Leaders, Hand in Hand

Teacher Website: Teacher Email: http://schoolwires.stpsb.org/Domain/4757 Teacher Email: Alexandra.Constance@stpsb.org

Course Objectives To develop students as writers, readers, speakers, listeners, and evaluators of many types of texts. To read and analyze a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature. To prepare students for 8th grade, high school, state testing, and beyond by providing rigorous course work and learning opportunities.

Course Description This class strives to provide students with essential working knowledge of the elements of the English language and literature. Students will gain many tools to articulate their thoughts and opinions clearly, as well as read and understand any text no matter the content.

Required Materials (supplies) 1 – roll of paper towels 1 – box of tissues 1 – 2-inch binder – Filler collage ruled paper 1 – pack of dividers (SSR, Mentor Sentences, Vocabulary, and Reading and Writing Notes, Guidebook) 1 – pack of red pens 1 – pencils (mechanical or wooden) – Highlighters (blue, green, and yellow) 1 – hand sanitizer (optional)

7th grade Novels I encourage each student to obtain a copy of each of the following novels to be read in class as well as at home: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (1st nine weeks) A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (2nd nine weeks) The Giver by Lois Lowry (3rd nine weeks)

Tests & Quizzes: You will have formal pencil/paper tests, open book tests, and cold read tests in reading which are worth 100 points each. I do give pop-quizzes, so stay on top of your work! In English, you will be tested on different grammar topics and vocabulary as well as writing such as individual paragraphs and 5 paragraph essays.

Silent Sustained Reading: Your grade will consist of reading one teacher choice novel and one student choice novel per nine weeks (2 novels per nine weeks). The grade will be calculated from your daily participation during silent sustained reading (SSR) and completion of your SSR assignment(s). For example during the first nine weeks, each student will participate in book clubs. This will consist of students reading novels within a group, completing a log of the weekly reading, and holding a book club meeting/discussion at the end of every week.

Writing Assignments: You will have a number of formal and informal written assignments throughout the year such as formal five paragraph essays and RACE responses (paragraphs). Essays will be given periodically throughout the year and RACE responses will be given at random; such as bell ringers, on quizzes, assignments, and tests.

Class Work & Homework: This will be taken up periodically during the year and graded. Each assignment will be worth a different amount. If classwork is not completed in class, it is considered homework and must be completed and turned in upon the due date.

Vocabulary: Vocabulary words are developed through our reading materials throughout the year, and you will have weekly writing assignments and tests which will include the vocabulary words and grammar concept of the week.

Grammar/Mentor Sentences: We will focus on a sentence each day. These sentences will focus and practice our grammar and writing skills. At the end of each week, students will be graded on the skills which were practiced.

Grade Weighting for ELA 10% Interim Assessments 90% All Other Assignments *Grades are base upon point value. For example, an assignments and quizzes may be worth 50 points, and a test may be worth 100 points. *NO BONUS points or assignments will be given; do not ask.

Absences, Make-up Work, and Credit Recovery: It is your responsibility to find out what work you missed if you are absent. While out, check the website for weekly assignments. If there was an assignment given, you will need to check my webpage, with another student, or myself. If a test was missed, you MUST come to me about it to schedule a makeup day. *A five-day makeup period with loss of 5% of the overall grade each day that the assignment is late. *If students do not turn in 3 assignments or more, he/she MUST attend tutoring sessions called Credit Recovery for tutoring and complete the assignments. *If a student should earn a C or below on an assessment, he/she may complete the Request Credit Recovery form to have the possibility to retake the assessment during one of the Credit Recovery tutoring sessions. *If students do not attend the Credit Recovery tutoring session(s) assigned, student will have a conference with Mr. Strohl and the parent will be contacted.

Rules 1. Be respectful – Treat everyone with proper consideration. Use respectful language, in writing as well as in discussions. Show respect for your environment by keeping the classroom clean and neat. 2. Be responsible – Arrive to class on time and with all necessary materials. Complete assignments on time, ask questions when necessary, and stay aware of deadlines. Be prepared for the start of class each day. Do what is right, regardless of what everyone else in class is doing. 3. Be appropriate – Conduct yourself as a mature, well-mannered young adult. Think before speaking, and make sure all contributions to the class dialogue should be meaningful and pertinent. Take care of personal business when the time is appropriate. Use your privileges wisely. 4. Be involved – Participate to the fullest extent that you can. Stay awake. Take part in discussions. Ask questions. Answer questions. Stay on task. Take notes. Keep your head up. Do all classwork and homework. Use class time efficiently. Listen, watch, and participate! 5. Be honest – Do your own work. Do NOT cheat, and do NOT plagiarize. Do not attempt to sneak around the rules. Avoid inventing excuses to cover up for your mistakes. Accept the consequences for your mistakes, and learn from them.

Consequences: Upon misbehavior, students may be given a range of consequences such as verbal warning, morning or lunch detentions, respect essay, parent contact, and lastly, a written office referral to the disciplinarian/assistant principal for additional consequences.

Restroom Use & Passes: You are expected to go to the restroom and your locker before school, during lunchtime, and between classes. You will be given 2 hall passes per nine weeks. Once you use or lose them, you will not be allowed to leave the classroom unless a doctor’s note is provided, or you use 2 Cane Cash.

Questions? “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Sues   FJH