English Language Arts instruction will provide a
meaningful, integrated program that is planned and developed for all students
utilizing the four language arts processes: listening, speaking, writing, and
reading. Students will demonstrate
standard English conventions through the writing process. All lessons, tasks, and assessments are
aligned to the California Content Standards for 7th Grade English
Language Arts.
Writing has become foundational to being successful in education and to finding meaningful employment across much of the workforce. Your students will have to write thoughtfully on demand, spell correctly, use mature vocabulary, demonstrate some style and sentence variety, avoid fragments and run-on sentences. In today’s economic climate, applicants better write very well if they are to be considered seriously for a job.
It is my goal that students see themselves as successful readers and writers and understand the benefits of having these skills. I love teaching writing; it is one of the central joys of my life. I look forward to learning from this year and working with these students.
We will be creating/sharing drafts of writing and ideas that we care about, which requires trust and respect. I will work hard to create a “writing atmosphere” that will support developing writers. I expect that all students I teach to respect each other.
Textbooks and Materials
All textbooks and support materials will be provided to the students and/or are available in class.
Students will need to arrive in class each day with the materials needed for the day’s work. Students will need the following every day in class:
~3 ring binder (Students do not need a separate ELA binder from their other subjects)
~Writer’s Notebook (Provided by Teacher)
~pencils and pens
~School Agenda
Writer’s Notebook
Throughout the school year, students will create a Writer’s Notebook that will contain mini writing lessons and the students’ practice of these lessons. The Writer’s Notebook will be provided for each student. However, it is the students’ responsibility to decorate their Writer’s Notebook and make it personal to them, as well as protect their Writer’s Notebook (i.e. contact paper, no machine laminating sheets, book cover, or packing tape).
Behavior/Attendance/Work Ethic
Students are expected to arrive to class on time and be ready, willing, and able to work during the class period. It is a class expectation that students be prompt, prepared, responsible, and respectful.
Grading Policies
Student’s grades will be based on the following criteria:
~30% of grade is based on classwork
~30% of grade is based on homework
~30% of grade is based on assessments (test, essays, projects, and quizzes)
~10% of grade is based on student participation
All assignments will be graded using the following breakdown of percentages:
Percentage & Grade
Description 90%-100% A
Advanced – Student communicated/demonstrated clear and complete understanding of the concept, skill, or standard.
80%-89.9% B
Proficient – Student communicated/demonstrated an understanding of concept, skill, or standard without the depth of an advanced score.
70%-79.9% C
Basic – Student does not fully understand the concept, skill, or standard, but is making progress toward grade level standard.
60%-69.9% D
Below Basic – Student shows little understanding of concept, skill, or standard.
59.9% & Below F
Far Below Basic—Student show no understanding of concept, skill, or standard.
Quality of Work Student work is expected to be complete, proficient, and on time. Most assignments involve writing and reading.
Test Corrections
Students may make corrections to any test or quiz. Students who make test corrections will have ½ point for each correct test correction added to the test’s original score. In order for students to receive credit, they must do the following on a separate piece of paper:
1. Indicate the problem number.
2. Write the correct answer
3. Explain why they know it is the correct the answer.
Extra Help
Students will be provided with opportunities to reach proficiency by receiving assistance with assignments if needed. Extra help is offered Monday-Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Homework, Late Work, and Make-up Work
Homework will be assigned to provide practice with concepts and skills taught in class, and should be done in a timely manner. Work turned in late (after the due date) will receive ½ credit. Late work will be accepted only until the Chapter Test, after which students will receive a 0 for that assignment.
Parent Contact
E-mail is the preferred method of communication as it is direct, quick, and easy. My E-mail address is [email protected]. Parents are welcome to e-mail me at any time.
Writing has become foundational to being successful in education and to finding meaningful employment across much of the workforce. Your students will have to write thoughtfully on demand, spell correctly, use mature vocabulary, demonstrate some style and sentence variety, avoid fragments and run-on sentences. In today’s economic climate, applicants better write very well if they are to be considered seriously for a job.
It is my goal that students see themselves as successful readers and writers and understand the benefits of having these skills. I love teaching writing; it is one of the central joys of my life. I look forward to learning from this year and working with these students.
We will be creating/sharing drafts of writing and ideas that we care about, which requires trust and respect. I will work hard to create a “writing atmosphere” that will support developing writers. I expect that all students I teach to respect each other.
Textbooks and Materials
All textbooks and support materials will be provided to the students and/or are available in class.
Students will need to arrive in class each day with the materials needed for the day’s work. Students will need the following every day in class:
~3 ring binder (Students do not need a separate ELA binder from their other subjects)
~Writer’s Notebook (Provided by Teacher)
~pencils and pens
~School Agenda
Writer’s Notebook
Throughout the school year, students will create a Writer’s Notebook that will contain mini writing lessons and the students’ practice of these lessons. The Writer’s Notebook will be provided for each student. However, it is the students’ responsibility to decorate their Writer’s Notebook and make it personal to them, as well as protect their Writer’s Notebook (i.e. contact paper, no machine laminating sheets, book cover, or packing tape).
Behavior/Attendance/Work Ethic
Students are expected to arrive to class on time and be ready, willing, and able to work during the class period. It is a class expectation that students be prompt, prepared, responsible, and respectful.
Grading Policies
Student’s grades will be based on the following criteria:
~30% of grade is based on classwork
~30% of grade is based on homework
~30% of grade is based on assessments (test, essays, projects, and quizzes)
~10% of grade is based on student participation
All assignments will be graded using the following breakdown of percentages:
Percentage & Grade
Description 90%-100% A
Advanced – Student communicated/demonstrated clear and complete understanding of the concept, skill, or standard.
80%-89.9% B
Proficient – Student communicated/demonstrated an understanding of concept, skill, or standard without the depth of an advanced score.
70%-79.9% C
Basic – Student does not fully understand the concept, skill, or standard, but is making progress toward grade level standard.
60%-69.9% D
Below Basic – Student shows little understanding of concept, skill, or standard.
59.9% & Below F
Far Below Basic—Student show no understanding of concept, skill, or standard.
Quality of Work Student work is expected to be complete, proficient, and on time. Most assignments involve writing and reading.
Test Corrections
Students may make corrections to any test or quiz. Students who make test corrections will have ½ point for each correct test correction added to the test’s original score. In order for students to receive credit, they must do the following on a separate piece of paper:
1. Indicate the problem number.
2. Write the correct answer
3. Explain why they know it is the correct the answer.
Extra Help
Students will be provided with opportunities to reach proficiency by receiving assistance with assignments if needed. Extra help is offered Monday-Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Homework, Late Work, and Make-up Work
Homework will be assigned to provide practice with concepts and skills taught in class, and should be done in a timely manner. Work turned in late (after the due date) will receive ½ credit. Late work will be accepted only until the Chapter Test, after which students will receive a 0 for that assignment.
Parent Contact
E-mail is the preferred method of communication as it is direct, quick, and easy. My E-mail address is [email protected]. Parents are welcome to e-mail me at any time.