Richboro Middle School

Richboro Middle School Academic English 7 – Mrs. Donmoyer

2016-2017

Welcome to English class! I am looking forward to an exciting year as you make the transition from elementary to middle school. As you journey through this year, I hope that you will find it to be both exciting and educational.

Materials: You will need the following items to be prepared for class. You will need these items every day.

 3 ring binder with at least 2 dividers (This should be the same binder you use for Reading class). Dividers should be labeled English and Reading.  marble notebook/composition book (to be kept in English class)  pencils, pens (erasable works best), and a highlighter, kept in a 3 hole punched pencil case  any books needed as assigned by the teacher

Homework: Homework helps to reinforce learning. Homework will be checked for completion. On occasion, homework may be collected and graded. Additionally, for every third occasion a homework assignment is missed, a percentage point will be deducted from the final grade at the end of the quarter.

Absences: Students are responsible for any work that is missed due to an absence. If a class is missed due to an absence (whether at home or in school at lessons), it is the student’s responsibility to make up the work missed. Each student has one day per day of absence to make up any missed assignments. If possible, students should try to get the work before an absence and be prepared for class upon returning to school.

Grades: Grading will be based on a point system. At the top of a graded paper, the score will be written as a fraction where the number of points earned will be written above the number of points possible. Late graded assignments will result in a loss of points.

A record of student grades can be found on Home Access Center (HAC). Students can also easily calculate quarter averages on their own by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of points possible and multiplying by 100. In addition to the HAC, a paper grade record sheet will be provided each quarter. A sample of the Grade Record Sheet is on the reverse side. Sample of Grade Record Sheet Assignment Points Earned Points Possible Current Quarter Average 1 Vocabulary quiz 18 20 90% 2 Story writing 80 100 82%

Points Earned: 18+80=98 Points Possible: 20+100=120

Current Quarter Average: 98/120=.8167

0.8167 x 100 = 81.67 rounded = 82%

On your report card, these percentages will be shown as letter grades as follows: 98 & above = A+ 88-89 = B+ 78-79 = C+ 68-69 = D+ 50-59 =F 93-97 = A 83-87 = B 73-77 = C 63-67 = D 90-92 = A- 80-82 = B- 70-72 = C- 60-62 = D-

Course Outline

Literature: Students will read various selections from the Glencoe Literature Book. Additionally, students will read several novels in class this year, which will be both whole class and self-selected books.

Vocabulary: Vocabulary words will be chosen from the literature selections to enhance oral, written, and reading vocabularies. Additional work will include prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

Writing: Students will be engaged in various types of writing throughout the year including Narrative, Informative, Persuasive, and Reflective Writing.

Speaking/Listening: Students will give oral presentations and develop listening skills. Some speeches may be outgrowths of writing or reading assignments.

Grammar: Lessons will be taught throughout the year to strengthen writing. Mini lessons will also occur as needed. Furthermore, a specific unit on the 8 parts of speech will be taught early in the year. Council Rock School District Course Description for Academic English 7 This course integrates reading, writing, speaking, listening, and researching to support students’ achievement of the ELA standards. Students read a variety of texts, develop skills in a variety of writing modes, and learn vocabulary through their literature experiences. This course continues the study of grammar, usage, and conventions and emphasizes the application of these skills.

Academic English Class Reading List 2016-2017

Novels Stand Tall by Joan Bauer The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin Witness by Karen Hesse

Short stories and other literature  Short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, Stacy Allison, and an assortment of other authors from our Glencoe Literature book

 Poetry by Edgar Allan Poe, Christina Rosetti, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Gary Soto, Rumi, Emily Dickenson and more

 Non-fiction reading will also be included as outgrowths of fictional reading, oral presentations, writing, and the research project Richboro Middle School Honors English 7 – Mrs. Donmoyer 2016-2017

Welcome to English class! I am looking forward to an exciting year as you make the transition from elementary to middle school. As you journey through this year, I hope that you will find it to be both exciting and educational.

Materials: You will need the following items to be prepared for class. You will need these items every day.

 3 ring binder with at least 2 dividers (This should be the same binder you use for Reading class). Dividers should be labeled English and Reading.  marble notebook/composition book (to be kept in English class)  pencils, pens (erasable works best), and a highlighter, kept in a 3 hole punched pencil case  any books needed as assigned by the teacher

Homework: Homework helps to reinforce learning. Homework will be checked for completion. On occasion, homework may be collected and graded. Additionally, for every third occasion a homework assignment is missed, a percentage point will be deducted from the final grade at the end of the quarter.

Absences: Students are responsible for any work that is missed due to an absence. If a class is missed due to an absence (whether at home or in school at lessons), it is the student’s responsibility to make up the work missed. Each student has one day per day of absence to make up any missed assignments. If possible, students should try to get the work before an absence and be prepared for class upon returning to school.

Grades: Grading will be based on a point system. At the top of a graded paper, the grade will be written as a fraction where the number of points earned will be written above the number of points possible. Late graded assignments will result in a loss of points.

A record of student grades can be found on Home Access Center (HAC). Students can also easily calculate quarter averages on their own by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of points possible and multiplying by 100. In addition to the HAC, a paper grade record sheet will be provided each quarter. A sample of the Grade Record Sheet is on the reverse side. Sample of Grade Record Sheet Assignment Points Earned Points Possible Current Quarter Average 1 Vocabulary quiz 18 20 90% 2 Story writing 80 100 82%

Points Earned: 18+80=98 Points Possible: 20+100=120

Current Quarter Average: 98/120=.8167

0.8167 x 100 = 81.67 rounded = 82%

On your report card, these percentages will be shown as letter grades as follows: 98 & above = A+ 88-89 = B+ 78-79 = C+ 68-69 = D+ 59 &below =F 93-97 = A 83-87 = B 73-77 = C 63-67 = D 90-92 = A- 80-82 = B- 70-72 = C- 60-62 = D-

Course Outline

Literature: Students will read various selections from the Glencoe Literature Book. Additionally, students will read several novels in class this year, which will be both whole class and self-selected books.

Vocabulary: Vocabulary words will be chosen from the literature selections to enhance oral, written, and reading vocabularies. Additional work will include prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

Writing: Students will be engaged in various types of writing throughout the year including Narrative, Informative, Persuasive, and Reflective Writing.

Speaking/Listening: Students will give oral presentations and develop listening skills. Some speeches may be outgrowths of writing or reading assignments.

Grammar: Lessons will be taught throughout the year to strengthen writing. Mini lessons will also occur as needed. Furthermore, a specific unit on the 8 parts of speech will be taught early in the year. Council Rock School District Course Description for Honors English 7 This course, designed for independent learners, integrates reading, writing, speaking, listening, and researching to support students’ achievement of the district’s English/Language Arts Standards. Students utilize critical thinking skills to analyze and interpret complex and substantial literary works. Written expression reflects original ideas in a variety of modes, integrating sophisticated vocabulary. Students must have an advanced command of the conventions of grammar, usage, and mechanics to support placement in this course.

Honors English Class Reading List 2016-2017

Novels The Adventures of Ulysses by Bernard Evslin The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin Witness by Karen Hesse The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain or The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Short stories and other literature  Short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Ray Bradbury, Stacy Allison, and an assortment of other authors from our Glencoe Literature book

 Poetry by Edgar Allan Poe, Christina Rosetti, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Gary Soto, Rumi, Emily Dickenson and more

 Non-fiction reading will also be included as outgrowths of fictional reading, oral presentations, writing, and the research project