1. Welcome to Ms. Smith’s Class!
7th Grade
Advanced Content
Language Arts

2. About Ms. Smith!
15 Years Teaching Experience – grades 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and gifted education

3. Education BS Middle Grades Ed Georgia Southern MEd Adolescent Ed
Kennesaw State
MEd Educational Leadership

4. 7th Grade Language Arts
Major focus is on WRITING supported by literature

5. The Portfolio Collection of student writing Stored in the classroom
Used for reflection & growth
“Showcase Portfolio” at the end of the year

6. CARDINAL RULE
SAVE all work related to a piece of writing… drafts, false starts, jotted lists, sloppy copies… EVERYTHING!!!!!!

7. Homework! Different than other classes
Not always a “zero” but has lasting impact on major assignments
IMPORTANT!

8. Million Word Standard
The student reads a minimum of 25 grade-level appropriate books or book equivalents (approximately 1,000,000 words) per year from a variety of subject disciplines. The student reads both informational and fictional texts in a variety of genres and modes of discourse, including technical texts related to various subject areas.

9. Independent Reading Million Word Info Sheet on blog
500 pages per nine weeks
Variety of choices to show evidence of reading

10. Textbooks
The Reader’s Journey – consumable work text, used mostly in class; costs around $13.50 to replace
McDougal Littell literature books – class set

11. Novel Studies The House of the Scorpion - fall
Flowers for Algernon - spring
*Ideal if each student has his or her own personal copy

12. Staying Connected! blog= http://cobblearning.net/bsmith/=
Pinnacle