1. Mrs. Kathleen Borja 7th Grade Language Arts Honors& Grade Level/AVID Elective Teacher and Coordinator

2. Background Information / Teaching Experience / Classes / Personal/Family / Teaching Experience / Classes / Personal/Family

3. How you can help / Back up my academic expectations. / Back up my behavioral expectations. / Review the calendar and my website for updated information, links, http://www.sanelijomiddle.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=49 31 http://www.sanelijomiddle.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=49 31 / Best way to contact me is by email kathleen.borja@smusd.org kathleen.borja@smusd.org / (760) 290-2800, ext. 3704 Hours 8:30-3:30 / *Available for help/test make-ups to students during lunch/after school. Student’s responsibility to take care of in order to become self-reliant. / Back up my academic expectations. / Back up my behavioral expectations. / Review the calendar and my website for updated information, links, http://www.sanelijomiddle.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=49 31 http://www.sanelijomiddle.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=49 31 / Best way to contact me is by email kathleen.borja@smusd.org kathleen.borja@smusd.org / (760) 290-2800, ext. 3704 Hours 8:30-3:30 / *Available for help/test make-ups to students during lunch/after school. Student’s responsibility to take care of in order to become self-reliant.

4. * California Content Standards for Grade 7 Reading and College and Career Readiness Standards  See handouts of the Semester calendar. I will integrate Common Core standards/practices throughout the year. ( Common Core K-12 Standards that provide a progression of knowledge and skill to meet the College and Career Readiness to be covered throughout the semesters. Q: Who developed these standards? / In 2009 the Council of Chief State School Officers and National Governors Association developed a set of standards that would help prepare students for success in college and career. More than 40 states have adopted these standards. / Students will be working on the same standards that prepare them for the CST tests; however, I will integrate more critical thinking requiring students to analyze, discuss and justify with evidence in writing and verbally their arguments. Students are expected to read more informational text and build more academic vocabulary in order to access complex text.  See handouts of the Semester calendar. I will integrate Common Core standards/practices throughout the year. ( Common Core K-12 Standards that provide a progression of knowledge and skill to meet the College and Career Readiness to be covered throughout the semesters. Q: Who developed these standards? / In 2009 the Council of Chief State School Officers and National Governors Association developed a set of standards that would help prepare students for success in college and career. More than 40 states have adopted these standards. / Students will be working on the same standards that prepare them for the CST tests; however, I will integrate more critical thinking requiring students to analyze, discuss and justify with evidence in writing and verbally their arguments. Students are expected to read more informational text and build more academic vocabulary in order to access complex text.

5. The STATE Writing Exam for all 7 th graders will be March 1st. The types of essays they must be prepared to write: / Personal narrative/Autobiographical Incident / Explanatory/Informative Essay (Response to Literature Cause/Effect or Compare Contrast) / Objective Summary / Argumentative or Persuasive essay / Research component / Other writing we will work on include: Mini writing lessons on topics like passive voice, thesis statement, etc. or journaling to improve writing skills / Personal narrative/Autobiographical Incident / Explanatory/Informative Essay (Response to Literature Cause/Effect or Compare Contrast) / Objective Summary / Argumentative or Persuasive essay / Research component / Other writing we will work on include: Mini writing lessons on topics like passive voice, thesis statement, etc. or journaling to improve writing skills

6. Curriculum/Daily Activities Editing/Writing Conventions and Grammar Exercises Academic Vocabulary Core novels/short fictional and nonfiction text Book reports/Semester book projects ( 1-2 projects per semester)*** Writing(mini-lessons, journaling, essays, quick writes or timed writings) Standardized Test Prep Speeches, Socratic Seminar, Debates,etc. Editing/Writing Conventions and Grammar Exercises Academic Vocabulary Core novels/short fictional and nonfiction text Book reports/Semester book projects ( 1-2 projects per semester)*** Writing(mini-lessons, journaling, essays, quick writes or timed writings) Standardized Test Prep Speeches, Socratic Seminar, Debates,etc.

7. Textbook/Core Novels / There are two literature series we will utilize this year from the publisher Glencoe and McDougal Littel Students will have access to online text or will check out a hardcover book when needed. / For online access Visit www.glencoe.comwww.glencoe.com / The passcode is #BADA9914AE / The core literature will be: / The Giver,Murder for her Majesty and / Sign of the Chrysantheum / There are two literature series we will utilize this year from the publisher Glencoe and McDougal Littel Students will have access to online text or will check out a hardcover book when needed. / For online access Visit www.glencoe.comwww.glencoe.com / The passcode is #BADA9914AE / The core literature will be: / The Giver,Murder for her Majesty and / Sign of the Chrysantheum

8. Homework / Homework: This will be given three to four nights each week. Independent reading is an on-going, yearlong assignment and students should be reading at least 20 minutes a night(especially non-fiction text).There is strong correlation between high-test scores and comprehension levels. / Longer projects such Book Reports, Essays,etc. will have due dates / Absences = student’s responsibility / No late work accepted per school policy! / No extra-credit given. Only bonus questions on some tests or on long-term projects. / Homework: This will be given three to four nights each week. Independent reading is an on-going, yearlong assignment and students should be reading at least 20 minutes a night(especially non-fiction text).There is strong correlation between high-test scores and comprehension levels. / Longer projects such Book Reports, Essays,etc. will have due dates / Absences = student’s responsibility / No late work accepted per school policy! / No extra-credit given. Only bonus questions on some tests or on long-term projects.

9. Suggested Items Bring Every Day: / Hallway Pass/ Eagle Flight Card / Three-ring binder with dividers / 2 pencils,2 pens, highlighter / Lined, white notebook paper / Note cards / Spiral notebook for daily classroom assignments,Cornell Notes, journaling, personal vocabulary list / Student planner,pocket size dictionary / Chapter book or novel / Hallway Pass/ Eagle Flight Card / Three-ring binder with dividers / 2 pencils,2 pens, highlighter / Lined, white notebook paper / Note cards / Spiral notebook for daily classroom assignments,Cornell Notes, journaling, personal vocabulary list / Student planner,pocket size dictionary / Chapter book or novel

10. Grading system / Grading scale / A+ =100+ / A = 90-99 / B = 80-89 / C = 70-79 / D = 60-69 / F= 59 & below / There are minus and plus grades given as well, but the new Synergy grading scale does not match with what I use. For example: a 97% in Synergy is an A+ grade, but in Mrs. Borja’s class this is an A. / Grading scale / A+ =100+ / A = 90-99 / B = 80-89 / C = 70-79 / D = 60-69 / F= 59 & below / There are minus and plus grades given as well, but the new Synergy grading scale does not match with what I use. For example: a 97% in Synergy is an A+ grade, but in Mrs. Borja’s class this is an A.

11. Behavior management plan Rules / Begin working on the “Bell Work Assignment” and record your homework once class begins. / Bring all materials every day. / Respect people and property. / Follow all San Elijo School rules. / Rewards / Raffle Prizes, No Homework Passes, Notes/Calls home / Individual privileges/Team Building Activities / Consequences / Warning, Behavior Log,Phone Call Home, Detention/Referral/Escort Rules / Begin working on the “Bell Work Assignment” and record your homework once class begins. / Bring all materials every day. / Respect people and property. / Follow all San Elijo School rules. / Rewards / Raffle Prizes, No Homework Passes, Notes/Calls home / Individual privileges/Team Building Activities / Consequences / Warning, Behavior Log,Phone Call Home, Detention/Referral/Escort

12. Questions/Concerns Thank you for visiting the class.