Welcome to Ms. Pizzi’s ELA Classroom

Course Description Seventh-grade English Language Arts is the study of skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will develop comprehension and communication skills. Students will develop reading strategies that they will be required to apply during independent and classroom reading. Students will use the writing process to communicate effectively and efficiently.

Common Core Standards RL.7: Reading Literature RI.7: Reading Informational Text W.7: Writing SI.7: Speaking and Listening L.7: Language http://www.corestandards.org/

Assessments Normally one assignment is given each day and any portion of this assignment not completed by the end of class should be considered homework Vocabulary quizzes are given on a weekly basis Grammar tests will be given after each unit Writing assignments are recorded after final drafts have been submitted Students may redo a piece of writing for a better grade at any time during the nine weeks it was assigned Tests/quizzes will be given on the material covered in our mini-lessons and reading selections.

Grading Scale A 93-100 B 85-92 C 77-84 D 70-76 F below 70

Textbooks: The Language of Literature Language Network Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics workbook (GUMS)

5 Subject Notebook Reading Writing Grammar Vocabulary Research

STRIVE FOR 25

Reading Requirements District policy states that students are to read 25 books per year. This is a high standard but an attainable goal. Students are to read 5 book per quarter on grade level.

Novels The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson Night by Elie Wiesel Pigman by Paul Zindel Short Story Unit

Short Story Unit This semester, we will be focusing on elements of fiction and the short story. Stories we will be reading consist of… The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner A Jury of Her Peers by Susan Glaspell The Lottery by Shirley Jackson The Landlady by Roald Dahl An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce The Gift of the Magi by O.Henry Edgar Allan Poe Unit

Attaining this Goal Students are to read each night for a minimum of 20 minutes. RAPP reading. Students are to bring an independent reading book to class each day. When students finish classwork early, they are to read for the remainder of the period. I will dedicate class time for independent reading on Wednesdays and/or Fridays. Students go to the media center every other Wednesday during ELA to check out books.

Homework Policy Homework is given on a daily basis. In order to make their reading requirement for the year, students will also be required to read a minimum of 20 minutes nightly. Assignments not completed in class are also to be completed for homework. Homework is graded for completion/effort, not necessarily accuracy. Homework turned in on time receives credit. Late work is not accepted!

Writing Assignments Students will be given class time and ample time at home to complete lengthier writing assignments. It is important that writing deadlines are met. Projects are assigned well in advance and can only receive full credit if turned in on the assigned date. 10 points per day are deducted for late assignments.

Make-Up Work Students with lawful absences have five days to make up work after an excused absence. Work not made up in the allotted time receives a grade of zero. Students are responsible for getting missed assignments by asking the teacher upon their return to school. In case of an extended absence, work may be requested through the guidance department.

Procedures Used to Record Student Progress Students’ grades and attendance will be recorded in PowerSchool. Progress reports are given to all students every interim period. Parent/teacher conferences also provide information concerning students’ grades.

Grading Procedures/ELA Classwork/homework 15% Quizzes, reading logs, journals 35% Tests, formal writing, projects 50%

Class Rules and Expectations Be in class on time Complete all assigned work Bring assignments and materials to class Be respectful of all staff and students Obey school rules (see student handbook)

When any of these expectations are not met and there is an interruption of the learning or teaching process, the following steps will be taken: 1st Minor: Refocus/BIR 2nd Minor: Refocus/BIR 3rd Minor: Refocus/BIR and parent contacted Repeated Offense: Parent contact and after school detention Repeated Offense: Office referral

Communication Parents will be contacted throughout the year and are encouraged to call the school, e-mail, or send a note should a concern arise. Each family will either receive and/or can request: Copy of team rules, consequences, rewards, and procedures Interim Reports Nine week report cards Telephone calls or correspondence concerning student behavior or work that is outstanding or in need of improvement Standardized testing results Class syllabus Parents have access to class information and most assignments via Sharp School Parents have access to grades via PowerSchool

Nicole_pizzi@charleston.k12.sc.us

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