1. GMS Mission The mission of Granbury Middle School is to provide a safe instructional environment that develops good citizens by equipping students with the knowledge and skills to achieve their potential as lifelong learners. Stacie Smith Phone Number: 817-408-4850 Email: stacie.smith@granburyisd.org Conference Period: 10:25 - 11:15 am ELA TUTORING TIMES: (you must have a ride after school!) Tuesday & Friday 8:00 – 8:25 am Tuesday 4:00 – 4:30 pm

2. Course Description 7 th Grade Language Arts In seventh grade, students will engage in activities that build on their prior knowledge and skills in order to strengthen their reading, writing, and oral language skills. Students should read and write on a daily basis. The English Language Arts and Reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are organized into the following strands: Reading, where students read and understand a wide variety of literary and informational texts; Writing, where students compose a variety of written texts with a clear controlling idea, coherent organization, and sufficient detail; Research, where students are expected to know how to locate a range of relevant sources and evaluate, synthesize, and present ideas and information; Listening and Speaking, where students listen and respond to the ideas of others while contributing their own ideas in conversations and in groups; and Oral and Written Conventions, where students learn how to use the oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking and writing. The standards are cumulative--students will continue to address earlier standards as needed while they attend to standards for their grade.

3. Student Behaviors Be Prompt Do NOT ask to leave the classroom without a hall pass. Once a student enters a classroom, he/she will not be allowed to leave unless it is an emergency or unless they are called to the office.

4. Student Behaviors Be Prepared –Have these materials with you EVERY DAY: Textbook & Library book Black or Blue Ink Pen or Pencil Completed Assignments Requesting to leave to get one of the required materials will result in being marked tardy for the class period. Students must use the restroom during the five minute passing period and should not be late to class. It is NOT allowable to come to class and ask permission to be late so you can use the restroom. Take care of business during your five minute passing period.

5. Be a polite and positive participant –Speak only when given permission, and listen when others are speaking –Raise your hand and be called on by the teacher before you speak. Be productive –Turn in work on time and always do your best –Use class-time given to work on assignments Be a problem solver –Correct problems quickly and peacefully before they escalate

6. Student Behaviors Insubordination: Students must courteously and respectfully comply with the directives of any staff member at all times. Failure to comply with the directives of school personnel acting in the performance of their duties will be considered insubordination and subject to immediate disciplinary action (referral).

7. Student Behaviors Prepared for class In seat at all times Respect rights, feelings & property of others Always follow instructions Timely to class (in seat at when bell rings) Effort shown on work Strive for EXCELLENCE!

8. Show Respect Value yourself. Be honest and ethical, and practice strong moral values. You must respect yourself before anyone else will respect you. Treat all members of the school community and all visitors with the politeness and respect you would expect them to treat you with. Honor the ideas and opinions of others. Offer to help those that need help. Be responsible with property and belongings. –If you borrow something, put it away –Do NOT mark on furniture –Sit in chairs

9. Promote Life-Long Learning You can develop lifelong learning traits: By showing curiosity about human nature and how the world works By seeking and valuing diversity By persisting in seeking out new solutions By using your unique talents and intelligence to promote positive change By learning and applying technological tools to solve problems

10. Materials List 1 One-Subject Spiral Notebook Black or Blue Ink Pen or Pencil Loose-leaf Notebook Paper 1 Folder with pockets and brads Independent Reading Book

11. Policies Policies & consequences outlined in the student handbook will be strictly enforced. No food or drinks in class. Be in your seat and quiet when the bell rings.

12. Other Classroom Policies WORK HARD & BE NICE!

13. Make-Up Work Students will normally have one day for each day absent, plus one additional day to make up missed work. If the student knew of the assignment well in advance of the absence, it may be due immediately upon return as determined by the teacher. Teachers may also assign additional work to ensure students have sufficient opportunity to master the essential knowledge and skill or to meet course requirements. Responsibility for requesting and completing make-up work rests entirely upon the student. It is your responsibility to remember to turn in assignments, and it is not your teacher's responsibility to remind you.

14. Grading Minor Grades – 60% –Examples: Daily work or class work Major Grades – 40% –Examples: Tests, Essays, Long-Term Projects

15. Late Work LATE WORK POLICY Late work will receive a grade no higher than 80.

16. Parent-Student Communication EMAIL ALERTS Parents may sign up for Email Alerts by logging onto the GISD website at www.granburyisd.org.www.granburyisd.org PHONE CALLS: Parents will be notified of academic or discipline concerns. TEACHER WEB SITE Information can be obtained by visiting my website at the following link: http://www.granburyisd.org/Page/5886 http://www.granburyisd.org/Page/5886

17. My Pledge To Students: I pledge to teach you the skills necessary to be successful in 7 th grade English Language Arts. I pledge also to respect you, to listen, and to be a mentor to guide you through 7 th grade at GMS.