Rivera Middle School: A California Distinguished School

August 2017

To: Parents

Fr: Mr. Ron Leos

Re: Welcome!

Dear Parents,

Welcome to your son/daughter’s 7th grade school year. All of us teachers are looking forward to working with you and your child this year as we explore learning together.

Middle School is a challenging time for students with rotating classes, multiple teachers and high school not far away. It’s vital that we work together to keep your child focused and organized. I have attached a list of supplies, as well as rules, consequences, and rewards for our classrooms. Please discuss these standards with your child, and if you are in agreement, sign the the last page and return it to me by Tuesday, 8/22/17.

If you need to contact me, please feel free to call Rivera Middle School at (562) 801-5088 or email me at [email protected]. Furthermore, you are welcome to visit my classroom any time. Simply check in with the office secretary for a visitor’s pass, no phone call is necessary.

Thank you for taking the time to read these materials. Together, we will ensure your child’s academic success this year.

Sincerely,

Ron Leos Language Arts Supplies Quantity 12 Pencils/Pens 1 Reem of Paper 1 Set of Dividers 1 2-3 inch Three-ring Binder 1 Hand-held Sharpener

Students should have all of these items daily. Not having these supplies will result in consequences for your student. Additional supplies may be needed throughout the school year.

Restroom Policy Students are not allowed to use the restroom during classtime, unless he/she has a medical condition and documentation. If there are any issues, please contact me.

Tardy Policy A student will be tardy when he/she is not in line when the tardy bell rings without a written excuse. Please refer to the Minder Binder for consequences. Remember: A tardy is a warning and will be recorded.

Grading Policy Grading Weights

Writing 30% Reading 30% Grammar 30% Participation/Minder Binder 10%

Grading Scale 90% or above = A 80% or above = B 70% or above = C 60% or above = D 50% or below = F

Late Work Policy Late work will not be accepted. If a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to ask me regarding the work that has been missed. The number of days the student was absent will determine the amount of days the student has to complete the make-up work for full credit. Also, there is a movement in our district to allow the students the amount of time a student feels necessary to present his or her’s best work. When--and if--these plans are placed into our school-wide practices, I will alert you. If there are specific issues, please contact me.

Film and Novel Policy As part of our studies, I will show videos and we will read novels that allow me to improve your child’s learning experience. There are times when the films deal with mature themes; however, I believe the clips and reading to be of benefit to the mastery of educational standards, so they are presented. I can assure you that any discussions revolving around these themes will be conducted in a careful and professional manner. Please note that by signing this syllabus, you agree to allow your child to partake in these materials. If you prefer that your child not be exposed to these items, I will provide an alternate lesson for the days that these videos are shown. Contact me if you wish to discuss the issue or for your child to be removed from these activities.

Homework Policy No homework is assigned, but occassionally forms or items are needed. Please refer to your student’s Minder Binder for those updates.

7th Grade ELA Pacing Guide Month to Month The pacing guide has been created by extracting standards from federal Common Core Standards. This pacing guide is tentative and subject to change at any time based upon the school activities, district necessity, and assessment data.

August (Begin 1st Semester) 1. Rules, Procedures 2. Team Building Activities 3. Figurative Language (similes, metaphors, alliteration) September 1. Parts of speech (review of all parts) 2. Interjections 3. Simple sentences 4. Paragraph Format 5. Context Clues October 1. Compound Sentences 2. Semicolons 3. Plot Diagram 4. Dead Words 5. Supporting Claims 6. Bias 7. Point of View (first person, third person) 8. Writing and finding a thesis November 1. Point of View (third person limited, third person omniscient, third person objective) 2. Author’s Argument/Message 3. Persuasive Essay Format 4. Transitions and Transitional Phrases 5. Introduction Paragraphs

December 1. Complex Sentences 2. Compound Complex Sentences 3. Contrasting Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound Complex Sentences 4. Counter Arguments 5. Thesis Support January (Begin 2nd Semester) 1. Begin School IB Project 2. Foreshadowing 3. General vs. Specific Nouns 4. Hyphens 5. Interrogative, Declarative, Imperative, Declarative Sentences 6. Persuasive Essay Format February 1. Continue IB Project 2. Inference 3. Imagery 4. Irony 5. Mood 6. Parenthesis March 1. Continue IB Project 2. Purpose of Works 3. Quotation Marks 4. Subjective and Objective Statements 5. Theme 6. Examining Informational Documents April 1. Complete IB Project 2. Tone 3. Active/Passive Voice 4. Review for State Test 5. Federal Testing 6. Greek Mythology Unit

May 1. Federal Testing 2. Greek Mythology Unit June 1. Greek Mythology Unit 2. End of Year Activities

Class Behavioural Rules 1. Be repectful. 2. Work hard

*Students will be held to all rules explained in the Minder Binder

Consequences 1. Warning. 2. Lunch Detention/ Time After Class 3. Phone call home 4. Referral

* Extreme misbehavior or defiance = Referral

Citizenship Grade A verbal warning will be issued and recorded every time your student does not follow a rule. The amount of warnings and/or severity of infractions will determine your student’s citizenship grade. This chart will demonstrate how his/her citizenship grade is determined:

0 warnings = O for citizenship 1-3 warnings = S for citizenship 4-6 warnings = N for citizenship 7 warnings = U for citizenship If a student recieves a referral or his/her name is left by a substitute for poor behavior, the student will automatically receive a “U.”

Rewards Classes will be awarded “class points” daily based on their behavior as a group. Classes that reach the predermined goal each trimester will recieve a pizza party.

I have read the rules, consequences, and rewards for the ’17-‘18 school year and understand these expectations.

Student Name (Print)______

Student Signature______Date______

Parent Signature______Date______

Email______

Contact Number______