Alexander Graham Bell Middle
School
2008 - 2009 Course Profile
7th Grade language
Arts
Teacher: Mrs. M. Race Tutoring:
by
appointment
Phone: 479-7111
Ext. 4213
E-mail: mrace@sandi.net
Course Description and Objective:
Students in this course have the opportunity to become
strategic readers, writers, speakers, listeners and thinkers in an academically
rigorous, standards-based environment.
The course focuses on individual studentÕs strategy and skill
development in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and
thinking,. The course allows
students to take responsibility for their own learning and behavior in order
for an academic learning community to be formed. Grade level literature will be studied; short stories,
drama, nonfiction, poetry, and the novel will be examined. Reading and writing skills will be
taught and reviewed, and course assignments are designed to satisfy the State
of California Language Arts Framework and Standards. Speech and vocabulary programs are integral parts of the
course curriculum as well.
State
Content and Performance Standards (summarized):
„ The student regularly reads a variety
of materials, which include literature as well as instructional information
(LAS 1).
„ The student develops the skills and
strategies to read fluently and accurately (LAS 2).
„ The student develops a thorough
understanding of literature (nonfiction, fiction, poetry, etc.) (LAS 3)
„ The student develops a thorough
understanding of informational and technical text (LAS 4).
„ The student organizes thoughts to write
effectively, using the rules of the English language (LAS 5).
„ The student writes in different genres
(LAS 6).
„ The student participates in discussions
and speaks clearly and meaningfully (LAS 7).
„ The student listens and responds
critically to oral communication
(LAS 8).
Materials Required Daily:
Students are required to come to class daily prepared
for academic success. Each day they need to bring:
„ a three-ring binder containing lined notebook paper
and dividers „
their Bell Student Planner
„ dark blue or black pens, pencils, and highlighters „
all assignments.
Independent reading material is also mandatory; it may
be from home or checked out from public, school, or classroom libraries.
It would also be helpful if your student brought colored
markers, pencils, or crayons. Because these will not be used every day, they
are not required.
Points of Learning:
*ReaderÕs Workshop:
Procedural lessons, read alouds, shared and guided reading, independent
reading, and book clubs.
*WriterÕs Workshop
Procedural lessons, modeled writing, shared and guided writing, and independent
writing
*Word Study: Vocabulary
and spelling instruction, grammar instruction
*Study Skills:
Organization of time, materials, and energy lessons to develop and polish study
skills
Independent Reading:
Independent reading is a vital component of our course
and students are expected to be active participants every day, both in school
and at home. Students are expected to read a wide variety of materials
appropriate to their reading level and proficiency. Suitable non-fiction texts, novels, plays, essays, short
stories, poems, magazines, speeches, and other primary source readings are
acceptable. Individual conferences
will occur on a rotating basis. Students are expected to read approximately one
million words (25 books) during the year.
Students are also expected to keep a Reading Response
Notebook or complete a Reading Record Sheet for all of their independent
reading.
Assignments:
*Students will complete
assignments in class daily, and will have homework 6 days a week. For example, students are required to
continue independent reading for at least 1/2 hour outside class at least six
days a week and complete their Reading Record Sheet or write a response in
their ReaderÕs Response notebook of at least 1/2 page. This is in addition to
other English homework they may have.
*Academic success depends on the
timely completion of ALL assignments.
If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to obtain and
complete the missed work. The
student has one day for each of the days missed to submit the work.
*Academic dishonesty in any form
results in an automatic zero on the assignment and a lowering of the
citizenship grade. Parents will be
notified; a referral may be written.
*Additional help can always be
scheduled before or after school.
*Again, It is the studentÕs
responsibility to complete assignments on time, ask for assistance if needed,
and obtain missing work if absent.
Citizenship/Attendance:
Citizenship and attendance policies are in accordance
with BellÕs policies. Please refer
to the Bell Student Planner for specifics. In order to learn, students should be in school and on time
to classes, exhibiting positive, mature, and responsible behavior. Citizenship grades are based on
classroom behavior, completion of assignments, and attendance.
Evaluation:
The academic grade for this course is determined by
student work and classroom participation. Instruction sheets and grading
rubrics accompany most important assignments; expectations should be NO mystery
to your student. Homework, tests,
quizzes, notebooks, projects and products, vocabulary tests, speeches, and
classroom participation are all evaluated. A written summary of student grades is available upon
request. Send a note in the Bell
Student Planner or simply have your student request a summery. Grades are cumulative and based upon
the following percentages:
100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 59-0=F. Progress reports are distributed every
six weeks. Please watch for them!
Please be advised that promotion to 8th
grade is primarily based upon your studentÕs reading scores on the district
required, standardized tests administered during the school year. Satisfactory course grades do NOT
guarantee promotion.
Classroom Behavior Standards:
Students are expected to achieve their personal best by
preparing for and attending class on time, and participating in our work. Classroom language should be Ōbusiness
EnglishÕ; polite, respectful, and appropriate at all times. Students are expected to follow all
school policies regarding attendance, tardiness, dress, behavior, and academic
honesty.
On a personal note . . .
It is my pleasure to be your studentÕs Language Arts
teacher. I look forward to a
productive, successful, and happy year for your child, and urge you to feel
free to contact me by e-mail or by phone with any concerns, questions, or
insights you may have. Writing
notes in your studentÕs planner is also a good way to communicate. Conferences are welcome before or after
school.
I would like to know you have read and discussed this
course profile with your child. Please complete and return the attached sheet,
which also contains a statement concerning our classroom library.
Thank you.
Mrs. Race
Please
return this sheet to Mrs. Race!
I have
read the course profile for Mrs. RaceÕs class and fully understand its
contents.
__________________________________
___________________________________________
Student
name printed student
signature
__________________________________
___________________________________________
Parent/Guardian
name printed parent/guardian
signature
Parent/Guardian
contact numbers:
_______________________home
_______________________work
_______________________cell phone
_______________________e-mail
Please
take a minute or two to complete the following questions. Feel free to use the back, too!
How do
you think your child feels about school?
Why?
How do
you think your child learns best?
Please explain.
Please
tell me anything you would like me to know about your child. I know every child is special, and IÕd
like to know more about yours! (In
a million words or less . . . !)
Please feel free to use the
back of this sheet.
If you
have any other questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know:
Many thanks!