Instructor: Mrs. Cindy Crawford

7TH GRADE ELA 2016 – 2017 COURSE SYLLABUS

Instructor: Mrs. Cindy Crawford Tutoring: Mon – Fri AM 7:45 – 8:15am or Mon – Thurs PM 3:30 – 4:15pm (by appt. only) Conferences: 8:25am – 9:10am daily or Before/After School by appointment only Phone: (817)847-9210 x5483 E-Mail: [email protected]

Course Overview: This course will serve as a foundation for continued study in the English Language and Reading curriculum and assist students in preparing for their academic and professional careers. The class objectives are taken directly from the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and the pacing is guided by the Eagle Mountain Saginaw Independent School District. Educators teaching this course will make decisions involving differentiating the curriculum to meet the needs of individual students.

Grade Seven English Language Arts and Reading maintains a rigorous curriculum throughout the year. We encourage students who find the work challenging to seek advisement from their individual teachers first in the event they have questions or concerns.

This course will consist of analyzing texts for literary elements in order for students to comprehend the main ideas of the pieces. In writing, they will be honing their writing skills by developing personal narrative (writings about their own experiences) and expository pieces (writings on various topics).

Grading Policy: 60% - Daily Grades Daily grades will include in-class assignments, homework, quizzes, journal entries, and literature responses. 40% - Project/Test Grades Project/test grades will include themed projects at the completion of each unit and tests. Occasionally, process papers will be considered project/test grades.

Students are graded each six weeks using the following scales: A=90-100 Conduct: B=80-89 S=Satisfactory C=75-79 N=Needs Improvement D=70-74 U=Unsatisfactory F=69 and below

Absences: Students who have missed assignments due to excused absences will not be penalized. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss with the teacher what assignments need to be completed and their due dates. Once established, the district late work policies go into effect. If the student is missing the work due to an absence, they will have one day for each day they were absent plus one extra day. For example if they were absent 3 days, they will have 3 days + 1 for a total of 4 days to get the work in without being considered late.

Late Work Policy: Students are expected to do their best on each assignment in a timely manner so the teacher can enact accurate feedback and instructional response. A student has 3 days to turn in late work: • 1 day late = 15 points will be deducted from the top of the grade. (85% is the highest grade a student can achieve) • 2 days late = 30 points will be deducted from the top of the grade. (70% is the highest grade a student can achieve) • 3 days late = 40 points will be deducted from the top of the grade. (60% is the highest grade a student can achieve) • NO LATE WORK will be accepted after 3 days. A zero goes in the grade book.

For those that failed a test: • One opportunity if original grade was less than 70% • Must complete a reteach activity. • Major grades only - exception is projects, essays, six week exams, and semester finals. Those are not allowed a retest opportunity. • Cheating or no effort do not have a retest opportunity. • Highest grade recorded is 70%.

For those that scored between a 70% - 84% on a test: • One opportunity if you score 70% to 84% • Major grades only – exception is projects, essay, six week exams, and semester finals. Those are not allowed a retest opportunity. • Highest grade is 85%, with the highest grade of the two attempts recorded.

Homework: Your student will have homework at least twice a week. The homework will be designed to provide a means of re-enforcing the curriculum after the student has been provided the proper instruction. It is very important that your student complete the homework in the time provided and turn it in the on the correct due dates.

Tutorials: Students will have the opportunity to attend tutorials. For individual teacher tutorials, students will be provided with a schedule by their teacher.

Tardy Policy: If a student is tardy to class, they need to make sure they have a written excuse. After three unexcused tardies, students will be required to have lunch detention.

Cell Phones/Electronics: Students are not allowed to use their cell phone or any other electronic in the hallways or class unless it’s teacher directed. If a student has any electronic out, it will be confiscated and brought to the office. The teacher will call you to let you know. The first time a phone is brought to the office, the student will receive it back at the end of the day with a warning. After that, the parents are required to pick it up from the office, and there will be a $15 fee.

Contact Information for ALL ELAR teachers:

Cindy Crawford Kim Shelton 7th Grade ELAR 7th Grade ELAR 817-847-9210 x5483 817-847-9210 x5484 [email protected] [email protected]

Billie Lee Angelia Shaddox 7th Grade ELAR Pre-AP 7th Grade ELAR and Avid 817-847-9210 x5486 817-847-9210 x5487 [email protected] [email protected]