8Th Grade Language Arts

7th Grade Language Arts Mr. Gallant 425-746-4220 ext. 5428 [email protected]

In this class we will be reading and analyzing a variety of texts including short stories, novels, poetry, speeches, letters, songs, and essays. Each student will gain an increased knowledge of the world around them as well as a strengthened ability to comprehend what they read. In addition to our reading, each student will learn how to communicate ideas and express themselves through formal and informal writing and speaking activities. We will be writing in various styles throughout the year including narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive. Each lesson or skill will be taught in class, formatively reinforced in classwork and/or homework, and assessed through quizzes, tests, projects, papers, and/or presentations.

TEXTS: Elements of Literature/First Course, Holt, Rinehart and Winston The Giver by Lois Lowry Beowulf by Robert Nye The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Various texts/handouts in class

EXPECTATIONS: Be Prepared- Come to class with a sharpened pencil, pen, textbook, book, notebook, completed homework. Be Respectful- Our class is a learning community and we need to work together to fully realize our goals. Participate- Each day students need to come to class ready to positively participate in the day’s activities.

ASSIGNMENTS: Essays/ Formal Writing Assignments: Approximately every 1-2 weeks, students will be constructing a larger piece of formal writing either during an in-class assignment or for homework. Approximately every 4-6 weeks, they will bring their piece of formal writing through the full writing process to be turned in and graded. Students will also keep a portfolio of their writing. This portfolio is meant to showcase student achievement, as well as growth throughout the school year.

Classwork/ Homework: Most days the students will have work to do during class and/or at home to formatively reinforce the material learned during instruction. This work must be completed by the given date and time to receive full credit. Late work will be accepted, but only under certain conditions. Please see the next page for a full late work policy. Test/ Projects: At the conclusion of each unit, students will be assessed via a formal test. Periodically, students will complete an individual or group project in place of the test. Students may use notes on all formal essays and writing assignments, as well as most tests.

Quizzes: Reading quizzes will be given periodically. Students may use notes on these reading quizzes. Vocabulary and/or grammar quizzes will be given weekly. Notes are not allowed for vocabulary and grammar quizzes.

Participation/Writing Journals: Each student is expected to come to class and be an active participant during instruction. This can include verbal participation, as well as simply remaining attentive and responsive to directions and expectations. Everybody will benefit from each student’s participation. Students can lose points off their participation grade for reasons including, but not limited to: disruptive and/or off-task behavior, working on assignments for other classes during class, disrespect towards the teacher, other students, and/or classroom property. Additionally, students will write in their journals daily, often at the beginning of class. The journals will be collected every 2-4 weeks for grading and will count towards their overall participation grade.

GRADING: Essays/Formal Writing Assignments 30% Classwork/Homework 20% Tests/Projects 20% Quizzes 15% Participation/Writing Journals 15%

Absences: If possible, students must let the teacher know before missing a class and the missing work can be made up during the absence. If the absence can’t be prearranged, the student must see Mr. Gallant before school the day the student arrives back at school. All students must check in after being gone to make sure they have completed all the work.

Test Policy: In order to receive credit for a test and/or project at the end of a unit, students must have all their assignments for that unit turned in. Students who do not have all assignments turned in will take the test and/or complete the project, but it will show as a “0” in the gradebook until all unit assignments are completed and turned in.

Late Work Policy: Students are expected to complete and turn-in any assignment for this class on the date it is due. Students who do not turn-in an assignment on-time can receive half credit for that assignment if it is turned in no later than 2 school days after the original, scheduled due date. Any work turned in after this time frame will not receive credit. Extenuating circumstances can always be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Remember, in every circumstance, all work must be completed in order to receive a test/project grade at the end of a unit per the Test Policy.