Seventh Grade Literature and Language Arts

Syllabus and Classroom Expectations

Mrs. Jennifer Lippert (847) 719-3825 jennifer.lippert@lz95.org	Ms. Stacie Noisey (847) 719-3763 stacie.noisey@lz95.org
Schedule an appointment with Mrs. Lippert or Ms. Noisey during homeroom or after school for help. Mrs. Lippert often works later in the evenings, so students can also email with questions about homework.

Materials Needed for Language Arts and Literature

Students are required to provide the following materials for language arts: journal for class, pens, pencils, highlighters, markers and other art supplies, loose leaf paper, and note cards.

Students are required to provide the following materials for literature: independent reading material, journal, note cards, pens, pencils, highlighters, markers and other art supplies, and loose leaf paper.

Discipline Policy:

Classroom Expectations

1. Be seated and ready to work when the bell rings.

2. Raise your hand before speaking.

3. Respect others, yourself, and the classroom environment; for example, keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.

4. Conduct yourself in a manner to allow teaching and learning to take place; for example, follow directions.

5. Bring all needed materials to class.
GUTs

GUT is an acronym which stands for gum, unprepared and tardy. If a student receives three of these in any combination (i.e. TTG, GGU, etc.) during a quarter, he or she will receive a behavioral detention to be served with Mrs. Lippert.

Consequences

When a student does not meet classroom expectations, first he or she will receive a verbal reminder. If the behavior continues, he or she will discuss the behavior with the teacher. Next, the student will serve a detention w/ teacher and parents will be contacted. Further misbehavior will be referred to the office.

Behaviors that may cause potential harm to the student or other students or a serious disruption to the learning environment will be referred to the office.

Work Policy

Homework reinforces learning and develops good work habits. Since these are two classes, students should expect homework in both. Completion of classroom assignments, writing assignments and projects, book reports, and homework are mandatory to pass these courses.

Late Work
Students are expected to turn in work on time. If a student does not have the work, then he or she will turn in a slip which includes name, date, and reason for incomplete work. Theses slips will be kept on file. Unexcused late homework (smaller assignments) will receive no more than half credit on the first day and will receive a zero after that. Late writing assignments, projects, and larger homework assignments will be lowered one letter grade for every day the assignment is late.

"Printer problems" are not acceptable excuses for not having an assignment completed. Assignments may be emailed as an attachment. Please use Microsoft Word. In this case, assignments may also be hand-written if the student does not have access to email.

Examples of excused late homework might include absence, illness, or a family emergency. Parents may send a note or call to explain the situation. The teacher understands that "life" sometimes happens but reserves the right to make final decisions in these cases.

Homework Format

1. Homework should be written in blue or black ink or typed. Pencil is difficult to read because it smudges.

2. It should be neat in appearance and legible.

3. Responses should be written in well- thought-out sentences.

4. It should have a Star’s heading in the upper right hand corner, which includes Name, Date, Assignment, and Teacher/Period. Points will be deducted, if assignments do not have the correct heading.

5. Papers without names will not be accepted.

Writing/Project Format

1. The product descriptor should always be followed and turned in with the assignment.

2. The student’s name should appear on both the project/ writing assignment and the product descriptor.

3. All pieces of writing should have a title and heading.

4. Generally, writing assignments should be typed in black ink in a 12 point, footed font like Times New Roman.

Absences
It is the student’s responsibility to complete missed notes, homework, quizzes or tests. Upon return, the student should check the homework folders and with the teacher for the material covered. It would be an excellent idea for the student to make friends with someone in the class who can act as a "homework buddy." The student should make an appointment to discuss missed lessons and to complete work. The district policy will be followed for absent work.

When possible, work will be provided for the student before an extended absence upon request.

Grading in Language Arts and Literature

Students are assessed in a variety of ways and whenever possible given choices in projects and writing assignments.

Language Arts breakdown of grades

25% quizzes and tests grammar/mechanics, writing,

newspaper, and poetry

25% spelling tests

25% writing assignments and projects

25% homework

Literature breakdown of grades

25% quizzes and tests over literature read, literary

concepts, and vocabulary

25% reading logs

25% writing assignments and projects related to

literature and novels

25% homework

Low test and quiz scores

In an effort to keep parents informed, students will be expected to take home low test and quiz scores and discuss them with their parents. They should bring back the test or quiz signed by a parent.

Extra credit is available to students in the form of extra reading time on reading logs or doing other assignments as they are offered.

Language Arts Overview

The goal for students in language arts is to develop as communicators. Students should leave seventh grade feeling as if their ideas have value and confidence in their skills to communicate them. Language arts will provide students with basic skills in spelling, grammar, writing, speaking, listening, and visual representing.

Assignments

·1 Grammar activities will often be given as homework rather than as class work. Students will be asked to memorize prepositions, pronouns, and other important information.

·2 Note taking is essential. Students must maintain a section in their binder for grammar and writing notes.

·3 Students will keep a journal and entries will be assigned in class.

·4 Spelling lists will be provided to students on the first day of the week and tests given at the end. Spelling assignments must be in cursive.

·5 Students should expect to write drafts at home and school and to complete many writing assignments.

·6 Writing folders will be kept in the classroom. All final copies of writing will be stored there until the end of the school year.

Literature Overview

Students will read and experience a variety of literature including novels, short stories, poetry, and expository texts. Reading is more than just decoding words; it’s interacting with the text, so students will be expected to participate in class activities and discussions.

Assignments

·1 Students are expected to read the assigned literature and complete related classroom activities and assignments.

·2 Response journals, comprehension worksheets, hands on projects, literature circle discussions, and vocabulary studies are the most typical assignments.

·3 Students will complete approximately 6-8 book reports.

·4 Reading logs are required each week. Students must complete two hours of reading each week and have a parent signature for each entry.

·5 Note taking is essential. Students must maintain a section in their binder of literary terms, reading strategies, and specific literature.

Reading Selections:

Reading selections are assigned for group reading based on the appropriateness of subject , audience maturity, and difficulty; however, it is the parents’ responsibility to monitor their children’s individual reading selections (i.e. library selection, free time reading, book reports books, etc.)

Classroom Literature

2006 Rebecca Caudill Nominees
Any Small Goodness(read aloud)
*The Cay
The Watsons Go to Birmingham (read aloud)
Mildred Taylor Unit
Song of the Trees
The Friendship
Mississippi Bridge
The Well
*Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Asian Novel Unit
So Far from the Bamboo Grove
Children of the River
Shadow of the Dragon
When They Called Me Keoko
Little Brother
Year of Impossible Good-byes
*Where the Red Fern Grows

Glencoe Reader’s Choice Units:

Theme 1 "What I am, What I Want to Be"
Theme 2 "Winds of Change"
Theme 3 "Facing Challenge"
Theme 7 "A Different Dimension"

Not all themes will be completed in their entirety; supplemental materials will be used from other themes or from other published work.

Supplemental materials will also be used with the novel units.

* Indicates novels that all students will read.

Please note. Seventh grade literature and language arts course content reflects District 95 Objectives and Illinois State Standards.

If you are interested in learning more about the seventh grade literature or language arts curriculum or the Illinois state goals and objectives, visit the following websites: http://www.lz95.org/curriculum/DistrictLearnerObjectives.htm or http://www.isbe.state.il.us/ils/ela/standards.htm .