Grade 7 syllabus
Seventh Grade English Language Arts (ELA)
Ms. Erin
2013-2014
“I really had a lot of dreams when I was a kid, and I think a great deal of that grew out of the fact that I had a chance to read a lot.”
- Bill Gates
Welcome to Seventh Grade English Language Arts. This syllabus is intended to give you a brief overview of the curriculum we will be following, the rules of the classroom, and various procedures that will help all of us reach our maximum academic potentials.
Purpose
The ultimate goal of the middle school ELA curriculum at AIS is to foster personal, social, and civic literacy. Literacy in this case means much more than just the ability to read and write, but to think critically, analyze, and communicate effectively and responsibly. Included in our idea of literacy is media literacy. According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education:
Media includes digital media, computers, video games, radio, television, mobile media, print, and communication technologies that we haven’t even dreamed of yet.
Does this mean that we get to play video games instead of read books? Does it mean that instead of writing an essay you can do it in some new technology that hasn’t been invented yet, so I can’t grade it until the technology is invented? No, it doesn’t. But it does mean that we need to learn to analyze all forms of media critically and use them to communicate responsibly with one another. I know that you are all quite media and internet savvy. You know how to do things with computers. My real goal is not to teach you how to make a cooler Facebook profile (especially because you’re supposed to be thirteen anyway in order to have one) or how to waste time online. My personal goal for you this year is that you learn to be much more aware of the kinds of messages that we encounter every day, and learn to evaluate their meanings in a logical and productive fashion. Likewise, I hope that you learn to use your own intellectual resources and the digital resources we have wisely so that you can learn to communicate your brilliant ideas in the most direct and effective way possible.
The three main channels of communication we will focus on are: Oral Language, Written Language, and Media/Technology. So you will be writing, performing speeches and oral reports, and making various digital projects.
The students will use their oral, written, and technological skills for expressive writing (personal narratives, fiction writing), argumentative writing (persuasive speech), expository writing (problem and solution, comparing and contrasting), research reports (asking and answering questions), and literary writing (writing about literature).
The literature assigned in class will correlate to our study of communication. Students will read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. We will examine and analyze the format of informational materials. Students will also read and respond to significant works of fiction as they clarify ideas and connect them to other literary works.
Aside from that, we will also focus on the nuts and bolts of English grammar, which you will need to know in order to communicate clearly. English language conventions are an important component of our ELA program. Proper use and understanding of grammar is fundamental in expression (written or oral) and it is essential for reading analysis.
You will have a vocabulary test every Friday. The words will relate to assignments. You are expected to study.
Most, if not all, essays will eventually be typed; 12 point; Times New Roman, Arial, Cambria or Helvetica font; double spaced; with the heading on the upper right hand side of the page.
Syllabus Breakdown
This might change!
Grade 7
ELA Units
· Theme: Survival
o Elements of a story
o Personal or Fictional Narrative
· Greek Myths and Folktales
o Analysis of theme
· Biographies
o Note taking strategies
o Library research
o Project
· Theme: The Human Spirit
o Historical fiction
o Book report/ project
o Writing workshop
· Theme: Friendship and Focus on Grammar
o Character analysis
o Parts of speech and sentence structure
· Drama and Poetry
o Imagery and figurative language
o Elements of drama
· Informational Texts
o Persuasive writing
Rules
1. Always follow directions!
2. Stay on task. If you are supposed to be writing, write. If you are supposed to be reading, read. If you are supposed to be doing grammar work, do your grammar work.
3. Don’t talk in class or bother, annoy, attempt to entertain, or distract other students.
4. Raise your hand if you have an appropriate question or comment and please wait your turn. Do not interrupt others when they are speaking.
5. Keep your hands and feet to yourselves.
6. Show respect to everyone in our class and refrain from acting rudely, flippantly, or with excessive and unnecessary sarcasm or attitude. Do not correct or negatively criticize another student’s grammar, pronunciation, or ideas. It is rude. Whining, grumbling, or complaining is likewise rude and beneath you.
7. Absolutely no food in the classroom. You may bring a water bottle to class, however your water bottle is for water only.
8. Do not touch anything on my desk or take anything from my desk unless you have my permission.
Super Special Rule!
DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY. (a.k.a., it is not all about you)
If you get a bad grade or in trouble for any reason, it isn’t because the teacher hates you and is trying to make your life miserable. Thinking that way is just an easy way to shift blame away from yourself and get yourself unnecessarily upset and angry at the same time. If your friend is acting strangely one day it isn’t because he or she doesn’t like you anymore. It probably has nothing to do with you. If your friend doesn’t throw you the ball, and you we’re totally open, it isn’t because he or she hates you and thinks you stink at basketball or soccer or ultimate Frisbee. They probably didn’t see you or they were totally wrapped up in the game that they missed you. Things like that happen all of the time. Seriously. Don’t take it personally and you will be much happier!
Discipline
· If you slow down the progress of class through interruptions, talking, moving around unnecessarily or without reason, drawing undue attention to oneself, or other rude or discourteous behaviors you will be warned and I will mark down the warning.
· I am particularly serious about how you treat one another in this classroom. Many of you have been in this school together for many years and you can dramatically influence one another. Let that influence be positive rather than negative.
· We are all human beings in this classroom we are expected to act reasonably. If you are mature and responsible, things will go well.
· Complaining, grumbling, or arguing about discipline will not be tolerated well. In other words, if you get in trouble for some reason, deal with it and don’t take it personally. Just mellow out, calm down, and realize that your time in school is very temporary and you’ll be out sooner than you think! You have lots of things to look forward to in life. The sixth grade is a minor blip on the radar. Most of the time, getting in trouble in school is not worth getting upset over. It is a waste of energy.
Grading
· 30% Exams
· 30% Projects
· 20% Quizzes
· 10% Classwork
· 10% Homework
Failure is Not an Option!
It is your responsibility as a Grade 7 student to be accountable for your work. In other words, if you are having a difficult time understanding a concept or you don’t know how to study for your vocabulary quizzes, please come see me. I am happy to schedule a time to meet with you. Being accountable also means turning your work in on the day that it is due.
If you are absent from school it is your responsibility to ask me for the assigned work. You will have 2 days to make up the homework (e.g., if you are absent on a Monday and return on Tuesday, you must turn in Monday’s homework on Thursday. Yes, that Tuesday counts as the first day). You will be responsible for all new work assigned the day you return! Therefore, whatever is assigned on that Tuesday you return, you must turn it in the next day!
Missing assignments may result in a loss of your free time before or after school, during break, or your lunch time. If you frequently turn in work late I will set up a time to meet with your parents in order to create a strategy for you.
Procedures
· Go to your lockers and the bathroom before class begins, during lunch, or after school.
· Be on time for class.
· Sit and begin the warm-up exercise, or just follow whatever instructions are on the board.
· Await further instruction.
That’s about it. Welcome back to school!