1. Welcome to Mrs. Tiesse’s Advisory

2. Advisory Advisory period: 8:20-8:30  Notes and office announcements Role of Advisor  Your child’s adult advocate at school  Can assist with general questions and concerns  Help students deal with absences both planned and unplanned Specific class questions: ask teacher Specific administrative questions: ask Dr. Matthews How to reach me:  847-256-5006 ext. 4108  ltiesse@kenilworth38.org

3. 7 th Grade Language Arts & Literature Joseph Sears School 2013-2014 Linda Tiesse

4. 7 th Grade Language Arts Writing Grammar

5. Writing The writing process: pre-write, draft, revision, editing, and final copy Six Traits: idea, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, voice, and conventions/presentation Writing instruction will focus on these forms:  writing good paragraphs  clearly writing about what they read  personal narrative  persuasive  research  poetry  note taking Helping students at home…

6. Grammar Text: Elements of Language  Grammar will be taught using mini-lessons.  Every student needs to have a Language Arts spiral.  Lessons will emphasize sentence structure, parts of speech, verb tense and punctuation.

7. Assignments Students are required to use an assignment book. Time will be given each day in class to record assignments. Homework includes vocabulary, grammar, reading assignments, and long-term projects. Long term assignment due dates will be posted on my web page.

8. Work Expectations If a major assignment is late:  1 day late – 10% grade reduction  2 days late – 20% grade reduction  3 days late – Final Grade 60%. Parents notified. Students will make up work and possibly receive a detention.  If work is not completed, student will receive a zero. Daily homework (grammar, vocabulary, literature assignments):  Students receive a minus in grade book for late assignments  After 3 late daily homework assignments, parents will be called.  Students are expected to make up all late work.  Students will not be allowed to retake tests or create extra credit to boost grades.  Neatness counts.

9. Grading Scale Supplies 100-99: A+ 98-93: A 92-91: A- 90-89: B+ 88-83: B 82-81: B- 80-79: C+ 78-73: C 72-71: C- 70-69: D+ 68-63: D- 60-0: U Students are expected to have their supplies in class. These supplies include, but are not limited to: writing utensils, paper, assignment notebook and books. Each student must have a spiral for Language Arts. I will periodically check to make sure students have their supplies. Missing supplies will result in a “ zero ” for homework that day. After three zeros, I will call home.

10. 7 th Grade Literature  Comprehension Skills  Literary Elements and Devices  Literature  Vocabulary

11. Comprehension Metacognition  Definition: the awareness and analysis of one’s own thinking or learning processes  Helping students become more aware of what they are thinking while they are reading

12. Metacognition, cont.  Monitoring for Meaning: knowing when you comprehend and when you don’t  Connections: using background knowledge (schema) to connect what you are reading with what you already know  Determining Importance: deciding what matters most, what is worth remembering  Synthesis: the process of adding new information with background knowledge to gain a new understanding or confirm what you already know  Inferring: combining background knowledge with information from the text to predict, conclude, interpret, etc.  Questions: asking questions while you are reading  Images: using sensory and emotional images to deepen understanding

13. Lessons will also focus on: Evidence : Finding evidence in a text to support conclusions, inferences, summaries, etc. Literary Elements and Devices:  Setting, plot, characters, conflict, theme  Symbolism, foreshadowing, flashback, imagery, metaphor, simile, personification

14. 7 th Grade Literature  Short Stories  The Outsiders  Civil Rights Unit: The Contender, Roll of Thunder, Yankee Girl, Walter Dean Meyers Study  Non-fiction: Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World  Shakespeare: A Midsummers Night Dream  Biography: Abraham Lincoln  Contemporary Fiction: Wednesday Wars, Tangerine  Historical Fiction: Woods Runner, My Brother Sam Is Dead, Chains, Forged, Founding Fathers

15. Word Study (vocabulary) The goal of the Word Study program is to study new words in authentic reading and writing activities. Focus on roots and affixes Words will be taken from Literature, Social Studies and Academic Word List. Students will be asked to:  Explore meaning of the words, write with the words, annotate the words in texts and participate in different word study activities

16. Independent Reading Students will be assigned approximately six Independent Reading Reports this year. They may choose any book they want to read, however, I must approve the choice. Students are required to complete a project for each book. Projects will include writing, art and oral presentations. The focus of the report is following directions and writing clearly about the book. Due dates for projects will be given approximately one month ahead of time..

17. Communication Phone number: 847-256-5006 ext: 4108 Email: ltiesse@kenilworth38.orgltiesse@kenilworth38.org I am looking forward to a great year!!