Syllabus

Seventh Grade English 2012-2013

Mrs. Kristy Keith and Mrs. Abby Smith Room 316 (Keith) and Room 319 (Smith) Voice Mail: (858) 569 – 7900 ex. 4181 Email: kkeith@francisparker.org Website: http://keithenglish7.wikispaces.com/ Tutoring Day: Tuesdays and by appointment (please note that I advise the yearbook staff after school on Monday and Thursday afternoons, so I will not be available for tutoring on those days) Testing Days: Mondays and Thursdays
 * General Information and Course Expectations**

• Course Reader • //The Outsiders// by S. E. Hinton (Required Summer Reading) • //Of Mice and Men// by John Steinbeck ISBN: 0140177396 • //Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution// by Ji-li Jiang ISBN: 0061667714 • //Macbeth// by William Shakespeare ISBN: 0789156873 • //Lord of the Flies// by William Golding ISBN: 0399501487
 * Reading Selections:**

• Vocabulary Book • Grammar Book • Composition Notebook (kept in class)
 * Other Required Texts/Materials:**

Building upon the sixth grade theme of self-awareness, the seventh grade English curriculum emphasizes the importance of community awareness. A comprehensive study of short stories, novels and plays will allow us to explore the intricate questions of what it means to belong and what it feels like to be excluded, as well as the ideas of what it means to be a friend, what it means to be a part of a family, and what it means to be a positive, responsible member of a community.
 * Course Description:**

Composition experiences range from journal writing, to timed writing, to structured, multi-paragraph expository essay writing. Brainstorming, prewriting, logical organization, and revision are all key elements of being an effective writer and will be stressed in our instruction. Also integrated into the course are vocabulary and grammar study, and opportunities for creative expression.

Along with assigned reading in class, students will be asked to participate in an independent reading program that is designed to encourage an enduring love of reading. Students will have a variety of opportunities to share their reading experiences with the class. For links to excellent reading resources, click here.
 * Independent Reading:**

Course materials, including weekly assignment sheets and handouts, can be found on our English 7 wikispace.
 * Class Materials:**

Assignment sheets will not be handed out to the students each week; instead, they will be available here and also posted in the classroom. Additionally, nightly assignments will be written on the board in class each day. Students are responsible for recording homework in their planners at the beginning of class and keeping track of their work.
 * Assignment Sheets:**

Most formal writing for our class will be done online through Francis Parker Google Docs, a Google Application that has been created for Francis Parker School. This program enables students to write online and share their writing with others. It also allows greater opportunities for teacher and peer feedback throughout the writing process.
 * Google Docs:**

Assignments will be graded on a total point system. All grades are available for viewing at any time on Net Classroom. If you have specific questions about a grade, please don’t hesitate to contact the teacher at any time.
 * Evaluation and Grading:**

Homework is considered due at the beginning of the class period on the day it is due. If a student needs to leave the room to get his or her homework once class has started, it is considered late. Work turned in late will receive half credit. Additionally, students are responsible for having their materials with them before class begins. If a student needs to leave class to retrieve missing books or other materials, it will adversely affect his or her citizenship as stated in the citizenship rubric.
 * Late or Missing Work and Class Materials:**

Generally speaking, students are allowed one day for every day she or he is absent to make up homework, quizzes and tests that were assigned during the student’s absence. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule a time outside of class time to make up tests and quizzes. All weekly assignment sheets can be found here, so students should be able to keep track of missed work while absent.

1. Be Prepared: come to class on time with all of the required materials for the day. If you have to leave the classroom during class to get your homework, it will be counted late for half-credit. 2. Be responsible: you are responsible for your own actions and will be held accountable for them. 3. Be respectful: treat your classmates and your teacher with the respect they deserve. 4. Be actively engaged: a successful learning community requires that all members are active and inquisitive participants. Please pay attention, ask questions, and provide answers. 5. Respect the school’s dress code policy at all times. Citizenship grades depend on a student’s ability to act maturely and appropriately.
 * Behavior Expectations:**

Each of you is filled with excellent and original ideas. Therefore, you do not need to copy from any published source, any electronic source, or any other person. While I do not anticipate it, any incident of cheating will result in a zero for all involved parties and will be brought to the attention of the Principal and the Dean of Students. Please do your own work.
 * Academic Honesty:**

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need clarification of any of the above expectations, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for taking the time to review this syllabus with your child. I look forward to a fantastic year!
 * Note to Parents:**