Welcome to 7 th Grade Language Arts Julie St. Hilaire & Jeannie Joseph Phone Number Or better yet….. us!

WRITING Continue focus on Continue focus on 6 Trait Writing Voice Sentence Fluency Word Choice Ideas & Content Organization Conventions (punctuation) Journal Writing Journal Writing (Mon, Tue, Fri) Effort Grading

WRITING Essays Essays Descriptive Descriptive Compare, Contrast Compare, Contrast Expository Expository Persuasive Persuasive Short Story Short Story All completed in class All completed in class Need a memory (USB) stick Need a memory (USB) stick

VOCABULARY New words each week New words each week Related to story & Greek and Latin roots Related to story & Greek and Latin roots Practice in class and at home Practice in class and at home Test at the end of each unit Test at the end of each unit Monday Monday Define words on flashcards Friday Friday Quiz

READING Lots and Lots!! Lots and Lots!! Must always have a novel with them Must always have a novel with them Novel chats on Wednesdays Novel chats on Wednesdays Homework each week Homework each week 40 Required Reading points each Trimester 40 Required Reading points each Trimester Reader Workshop- 2 nd tri Reader Workshop- 2 nd tri Red Scarf Girl- 3 rd tri Red Scarf Girl- 3 rd tri

HOMEWORK! Yes, there will be homework four nights each week Yes, there will be homework four nights each week Pink Slip handed out each time homework is not turned in Pink Slip handed out each time homework is not turned in Significant impact on overall grade! Significant impact on overall grade! Homework will always be a review of material taught in class Homework will always be a review of material taught in class

Planners Students should keep it with them always!! It contains bathroom & hall passes---time needs to be used wisely Planner includes all teacher s, phone #s, bell times, map of school & all school rules NO BACKPACKS! Each student has their own locker where backpacks should be kept

Required Reading How many points are required for each trimester? How many points are required for each trimester? How do I earn points? How do I earn points? There are four ways to earn points: There are four ways to earn points: Take an Accelerated Reading (AR) test on the computer. Take an Accelerated Reading (AR) test on the computer. Complete a plot mountain worksheet. These can be found in the absent binder. Complete a plot mountain worksheet. These can be found in the absent binder. Have a book chat with your teacher. Schedule a 5-10 minute window with your LA teacher to discuss the book. Be ready to talk characters, plot, and give your opinion. Have a book chat with your teacher. Schedule a 5-10 minute window with your LA teacher to discuss the book. Be ready to talk characters, plot, and give your opinion. Present your book to the class. This can be open ended and creative! You can make a PowerPoint, dramatize a scene, or be as creative as you would like to inform and entertain us. Present your book to the class. This can be open ended and creative! You can make a PowerPoint, dramatize a scene, or be as creative as you would like to inform and entertain us. How are points determined? How are points determined? By the level of book read. Check the AR list or with your teacher. By the level of book read. Check the AR list or with your teacher.

Accelerated Reader Each student is STAR tested at the beginning of the year to determine an appropriate reading “range” Each student is STAR tested at the beginning of the year to determine an appropriate reading “range” Students will read novels within his or her range and complete quizzes on the computer for class points in Language Arts and prizes through the Library program Students will read novels within his or her range and complete quizzes on the computer for class points in Language Arts and prizes through the Library program Look for yellow stickers on spines to signify “AR” books Look for yellow stickers on spines to signify “AR” books Look for exact level on the title page of the book Look for exact level on the title page of the book

AR at Home Go to IMS homepage Go to IMS homepage Click on LIBRARY Click on LIBRARY On left margin, click on On left margin, click on ACCELERATED READER Here you can browse book lists, levels & points. Prizes 3 and 6 quizzes passed = Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies

How to be Successful in 7 th Grade Bring materials needed to class every day. Bring materials needed to class every day. Write assignments in planner every day. Write assignments in planner every day. Put your best effort into work every day. Put your best effort into work every day. Turn it in on time! Turn it in on time! Check the Teacher Web Page. Check the Teacher Web Page. Go over planner with parent once a week. Go over planner with parent once a week. Check grades on Family Access once per week. Check grades on Family Access once per week. (Planner should be FULL of writing for all core classes!) (Planner should be FULL of writing for all core classes!)

QUESTIONS? Julie St. Hilaire & Jeannie Joseph Homework Hotline Phone Number &

My Teacher Thinks I’m Special My teacher thinks I’m special, It comes as no surprise. She doesn’t have to say so, I see it in her eyes. She tells me all about herself, Her family, friends, and dreams. That makes me feel important, She trusts me with those things. She says I have potential. She sees things others don’t. She sees things that I WILL DO, And not the things I won’t. She puts her hand on top of mine And tells me, “Way to go!” “You can do it! Try again! I’m proud of you, you know!” My teacher thinks I’m special, Unique and very bright, A shining star in my own way. Know what… I’m sure she’s right! Mary C. Howard