1. Welcome to Mr. Harris’ ELA classroom!
There are index cards scattered throughout the room. If you have any questions or concerns about this class or about your child, leave me a little note and drop it in the bin by my door on the way out, and I will try to respond to you in a timely fashion. There are also some printouts of this PowerPoint next to the previously mentioned bin.

2. A little bit about me…

3. Important info that can help you assist your 7th grader…
Homework is posted daily by 3pm
My and phone number are listed on my personal website (267) ext. 3376
Grades will be updated regularly on parent portal
If your child is ever absent, you can notify the school by either calling the main office, or you can have your student deliver a note to their HR teacher

4. What this class is all about…
Becoming a better communicator
Becoming a better thinker
Becoming a better teammate
Becoming more organized
And of course, becoming a better reader and writer

5. What We Will Read….. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
The Diary of Anne Frank
Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt
Short stories from the textbook
Poetry
Self-selected books
Select newspaper articles and journal entries

6. What We Will Write…..
Journal entries (reading strategies/literary responses/connections to text)
Poems
Essays
Narrative
Textual evidence based argumentative
Research based argumentative

7. How Grades Will Be Earned…
Homework & Classwork 20%
Quizzes & Tests 40%
Projects & Alternate Assessments 40%
Second Chance Learning policy…see website for details: Second Chance Learning Tab

8. Thank you for coming to back to school night!
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please me at
Or you can reach me at
ext. 3376