Grade 7 Reading and Writing
Ms. Thompson RM 244
Welcome to Winton Woods Middle School (WWMS) and to Grade 7 Language Arts. We are ecstatic to begin this exciting journey of middle school with you… so let’s get started!
Goals of this Class:
Ø Increase your appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of many types of literature and non-fiction pieces, including – short stories, poetry, novels, drama, articles, etc.
Ø Develop your writing skills in many areas and for many purposes.
Ø Gain knowledge about research strategies and writing a thesis.
Ø Improve your critical thinking skills.
Ø Increase your ability to collaborate and develop ideas with others.
Ø Sharpen your grammar, mechanics, and usage skills.
Ø Develop a strong vocabulary with academic/content vocabulary, vocabulary from texts, and SAT/ACT readiness vocabulary.
Communication
In this exciting digital age, there are many ways to keep in touch. Below are the tools available to assist in your learning.
Ø Schoology: Weekly assignments and updates will be posted on Schoology. (students will register in class)
Ø Remind 101: A safe, free way for teachers to text message students and keep in touch with parents. Students and parents are encouraged to sign up for this service to receive reminders for our class.
Ø Progress Book: Parents and students are able to monitor their grades through this online service. We will enter new grades a few times a week; please check often and express any comments or concerns.
Ø Weebly: Our class website. This website will be used to keep students and families updated with all pertinent classroom information, ie. Daily Agendas, Handouts/ Assignments, classroom policies and procedures, etc.
o http://thompsonwwms.weebly.com
Course Materials (Supplies due Friday, August 28th)
Ø Pens (variety of colors) and Pencils
Ø Highlighter (at least 1, can be any color of choosing)
Ø 3 ring binder (at least 1.5 inch)
Ø Loose-leaf paper
Ø 3 or 5 subject notebook (3 subject may be hard to find, you can also have 3 single subject notebooks as an alternative)
Ø Inexpensive headphones (optional)
Ø Tab dividers (optional)
Ø Pencil pouch (optional)
Ø Copy of The Outsiders (optional)
Ø School planner (handed out on 8/18)
Donations of the following are EXTREMELY welcomed:
Ø Tissues
Ø Bottle of Hand Sanitizer
Ø Cleaning wipes
Classroom Policies and Procedures—Ways to be Responsible
· Restrooms: Because we have double bells this year, restroom breaks will be permitted during class; however, if a student needs to go to the restroom, they should ask permission and depending on what’s going on in class, they may and may not be able to go. Students will need a pass, which will be logged in their school planner.
· Attendance/ Absences/ Makeup Work: As a valuable member of our class, your presence (mind and body) in class is so important! If you must miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what assignments you missed, to acquire handouts, and to borrow and copy the class notes for the day(s) you were absent. You will have the number of days you were absent to make up the missed work. Please ask for your missed work before or after class/school, not in the middle of the class period.
o Late Assignments: Your responsibilities in this class include completing and handing in assignments. If you do not understand an assignment, ask for help far enough in advance to have time to finish the assignment. If you are having personal difficulties apart from class, talk to the teacher before an assigned due date so that she/he can make other arrangements. Otherwise, you can/ will lose points for each day the assignment is late – 1- 2 point(s) a day, after 5 days no longer accepted.
· Grades: Grades will be based on a point system, with each assignment being worth a certain number of points. The point value system of each assignment will coincide with the amount of work/effort necessary to complete the assignment.
o Grades will include, but not limited to to:
§ Tests/quizzes
§ Writing assignments
§ Reading assignments
§ Completion and participation points (participation is expected. This is an easy way to earn points daily)
o GRADE SCALE
§ A = 90 – 100%
§ B = 80 – 89%
§ C = 70 – 79%
§ D = 60 – 69%
§ F = 59% and below
· Extra Credit: Throughout the year different opportunities for extra credit will be announced, ie. Homework Coupons. Students can cash in given homework coupons (up to 5) at the end of the quarter for extra points to be added to overall scores.
· Plagiarism/ Cheating: Learning cooperatively is great, and we encourage you to get together to brainstorm and discuss assignments. When you sit down to complete an individual assignment; however, let the work be yours alone. Penalties for plagiarism – another word for cheating – are stiff. Please see your student handbook for more information.
· Classroom Expectations: All school rules apply. Here are some other we think are important.
o BE RESPECTFUL – of yourself, others, teacher(s), and the classroom. We will be talking partly in many large and small group discussions about some touchy and non-touchy subject matter, it is important that you control your behavior and establish a sense of maturity, and openly listen to others opinions without interrupting or insulting.
o BE RESPONSIBLE – Be on Time (in your seat ready to start when the bell rings) and Be Prepared (bring materials to class every day) .
o BE ACCOUNTABLE – keep track of your grades and assignments on Progress Book. Go to the teacher for any questions/concerns.
o BE COOPERATIVE – try your best to work well with others and with your teacher(s).
o BE AWARE – of those around you; we don’t have to agree, but try to understand where others are coming from.
o BE SAFE – Students are expected to abide by all guidelines to ensure that a safe environment is maintained.
· Use of electronic devices: There will be plenty of opportunities during class for using phones or music. If it is not part of the activity, please do not have them out without permission from the teacher. Failure to follow this guideline may result in the loss your phone and/or detention.
· Discipline Policy- certain offenses will not be tolerated in school or within the classroom. Please refer to the student handbook for certain offenses. If there are offenses committed, the following steps will be followed:
§ Warning
§ Moving of seat/isolation in the classroom (loss of certain privileges, ie. cellular use in the classroom)
§ Student- teacher conferences
§ Phone call/ letter home/ parent email
§ Parent- teacher conference
§ Detention (automatic Friday school)
§ Office Referral
o If a student makes an infraction that is more severe, certain steps may be skipped. A record will be kept of all disciplinary action taken throughout the school year. It is possible for more than one step to occur in a school day.
o Please be aware that the disruption of class will not be tolerated.