English 7 Middle School Syllabus
Mrs. Young
E-mail address: dyoung@canton.k12.pa.us
Textbook: The Language of Literature Grade 7
This class will focus on the following:
Grammar-all year
The students will be able to: (Standards 1.4, 1.5, 1.6)
Identify, define, and locate the different parts of speech.
Write in complete sentences with subject/verb agreement.
Use correct punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar in writing
and speaking.
Assessment will be done through assignments, discussion, quizzes, and
tests.
Poetry- will be introduced during the first semester. There will be a quiz on vocabulary
and a test when finished with the unit.
The students will be able to: (Standards 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6)
Identify the purpose for reading.
Define vocabulary words that are the special language of poetry which
include: alliteration, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, personification, metaphor, and simile.
Analyze the effect of various literary devices.
Identify and recognize the various forms of poetry.
Read different forms of poetry.
Write several kinds of original poems.
Writing-will be all year.
While writing we will: (Standards 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6)
Use complete sentences with correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization.
Summarize in own words.
Compare/contrast
Analyze literary elements and techniques and explain how they are used.
Predict outcomes, draw conclusions, and form opinions.
Write own stories, plays, and poems following the conventions of the
genre.
Use the five paragraph essay format.
Assessment will be done using PSSA rubric in writing and reading,
homework, projects, discussion/participation, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
Literature (Standards 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8)
The students will read:
A variety of short stories, poems, and plays written by Edgar Allan Poe,
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and many other authors and will include non-fiction
articles, textbook chapters, and stories.
Exercises will include answering prompts and open-ended questions along
with critical reading and comprehension questions.
Assessment will include homework, assignments, projects, quizzes, and
tests.
While reading we will:
Identify the purpose for reading.
Use various reading strategies to aid in comprehension.
Define various vocabulary words and demonstrate understanding of
vocabulary.
Define literary techniques and explain how they are used
Locate answers to specific questions.
Infer answers to questions that are not answered directly in the selection.
Analyze literary elements including characterization, plot, theme, setting,
and point of view.
Summarize in own words.
Compare/contrast
Predict outcomes, draw conclusions, and form opinions.
Rewrite stories using a different point of view (POV)
Write own short stories, poems, and mysteries
Vocabulary-will be all year. They will be related to reading non-fiction, short stories,
plays, and poems.
Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to identify the meaning of new
words through: (Standards 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.7)
A contextual clue in which there can be no doubt about the meaning of the
word
Contextual clues in which the definition of the word is clear through the
use of contrasts or opposites.
A number of details referring to a single idea
A structural analysis of root words, prefixes, and suffixes.
Understanding of multiple meanings
The use of a glossary or dictionary
Use vocabulary words correctly when writing and speaking.
Assessment will include homework, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
Attentive Listening-all year class assignments will be given after the selections.
The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to listen attentively and
comprehend: (Standards 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.6)
While others are reading various selections of fiction, nonfiction, and
poetry
During class discussions
Directions will be given orally and checking for understanding will be
ongoing.
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The following is a list of rules that should be observed at all times when in my classroom:
Always come prepared to class (pencil, paper, packets, books, and homework).
Have a positive attitude.
Be respectful to your peers and to your teacher.
Use appropriate language.
Raise your hand if you wish to speak.
Participate by listening, following along, or by discussing the topic that
we are covering in class.
Complete your assignments and ask me if you don’t understand something.
Don’t copy each other’s work (that is cheating).
Take care of your books and binders.
Only ask to use the restroom or go to the nurse’s office if it is an emergency.
Stay in your seats until dismissed by me at the end of the block.
Follow all the school rules that are spelled out in the Student Handbook.
I am here by 7:00 in the morning and until 4:30 in the afternoon. Please see me if you are
having any problems in my classroom or just need some extra help.
Please look on the board for the bell ringer and the agenda for the day.
Remember that I am on your side. I am looking forward to a wonderful year with each
and every one of you. Let’s work together and we will have a productive year.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Young
Parent Signature
Date
Student Name
Please sign and return to Mrs. Young by Sept. 2, 2011
Writing Grade 7 Syllabus
Mrs. Young
E-mail address: dyoung@canton.k12.pa.us
This class will focus on the following: (Standards 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8)
Writing five paragraph essays. There will be about six essays and will be graded using
the PSSA Writing Rubric. A quiz will be given on the five paragraph essay format.
The students will be able to:
Identify and define the three formats (informational, narrative/imaginative,
and persuasive)
Name the parts of the scoring rubric and define its terms.
Read five paragraph essays in the three formats.
Write five paragraph essays in the three formats.
Research a topic of their choice and write a five paragraph essay.
Creative writing.
Choose one of the following: write an autobiography, interview an adult
and write a biography, write a short story, write several different kinds of original poems,
or write a play. This will be counted as a test/project grade.
The students will be able to:
Write an outline, rough draft, and final copy and hand in.
Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Grading
Essays
30 percent
Quizzes/Homework
20 percent
Project
30 percent
Participation
20 percent
________
Total
100 percent
All homework is due the day after it is assigned. I realize that at times special
circumstances prevent you from handing it in when it is due, so please talk to me and we
can make other arrangements. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up all
work that you missed. Please see me before or after class to discuss what you need to
catch up on. Homework is twenty percent of the grade.
The following is a list of rules that should be observed at all times when in my classroom:
Always come prepared to class (pencil, paper, packets, books, and homework).
Have a positive attitude.
Be respectful to your peers and to your teacher.
Use appropriate language.
Raise your hand if you wish to speak.
Participate in class by listening, following along, or by discussing the topic that
we are talking about.
Ask permission to sharpen your pencil, if it breaks.
Complete your assignments and ask me if you don’t understand something.
Don’t copy each other’s work (that is cheating).
Take care of your books and binders.
Only ask to use the restroom or go to the nurse’s office if it is an emergency.
Stay in your seats until dismissed by me at the end of the period.
Follow all the school rules that are spelled out in the Student Handbook.
I am here by 7:30 in the morning and until 4:30 in the afternoon. Please see me if you are
having any problems in my classroom or just need some extra help.
Please look on the board for the bell ringer and the agenda for the day.
Remember that I am on your side. I am looking forward to a wonderful year with each
and every one of you. Let’s work together and we will have a productive year.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Young
English Grade 10 Syllabus
Mrs. Young
Room 126
E-mail address: dyoung@canton.k12.pa.us
This course is a block course that will meet every other day for the year. We will be
focusing on literature, vocabulary, writing, speaking, listening, and research.
Text/Resources
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McDougall/Littell The Language of Literature
Prentice Hall Grammar and Composition
PSSA Reading Coach
SAT Vocabulary and Exercises
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee Harper
Various Handouts to supplement the material being taught
Literature (Standards 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8)
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Short Stories
Essays
Poems
Plays
Novels: The Outsiders and To Kill a Mockingbird
PSSA exercises will be completed in Reading and Writing and will include
answering prompts and open-ended questions along with critical reading and
comprehension questions.
Vocabulary (Standards 1.1, 1.3, 1.6, 1.7)
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15-20 SAT vocabulary units of 15 words each
Vocabulary words related to reading novels, short stories, essays, and plays.
Assessment will be done through homework, discussion, quizzes, and tests.
Writing (Standards 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8)
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Use the 5 paragraph essay format
Projects which will include writing own poems, plays, short stories, and/or
essays.
Answering prompts following the PSSA rubric in writing and reading
Summarize in own words.
Compare/contrast
Analyze literary elements and techniques and explain how they are used.
Predict outcomes, draw conclusions, and form opinions
Assessment will be done using PSSA rubric for writing and reading,
homework, projects, discussion/participation, assignments, quizzes, and tests.
Speaking (Standards 1.6)
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Oral reading of assignments including stories/poems/essays.
Oral reading of drama selections reading various parts dramatically.
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Class discussions
Listening (Standards 1.6)
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While others are reading various selections
Directions will be given orally and checking for understanding will be
ongoing
Research (Standards 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8)
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Project after completing an assignment.
To locate information to write an informative essay on topic of own choice.
Grading for my class:
Quizzes
Tests/Projects
Participation/class assignments
Homework assignments
Total
20 percent
30 percent
30 percent
20 percent
_________
100 percent
All homework is due the next time class meets. If you are absent, it is your responsibility
to make up all work that you missed. Please see me before or after class to discuss what
you need to catch up on.
Students are expected to follow the rules of the district as laid out in the Student
Handbook.
I am here by 7:30 in the morning and until 4:30 in the afternoon. Please see me if you are
having any problems or just need some extra help.