English 7
Georgia Washington
Ms. T. Tate
2010-2011
Dear Parent/Guardian:
As we embark upon another school year, it is imperative that we work together to make certain your child receives the
best education. The transition from elementary to middle school can be overwhelming for a child. However, if we work as a
team we will make sure your child overcomes any obstacles that may hinder him/her from reaching his/her highest potential. I
have high expectations for all my students, and I will not accept anything less than their best. I have provided you with a copy of
an overview of my class. I’m looking forward to working with you and your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please
don’t hesitate to contact me at the school.
Overview: Students in seventh grade undergo a variety of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual changes. As they
continue to explore their identities, seventh graders expand their knowledge of reading skills, literature, and oral communication.
Through this development, students acquire extended vocabulary skills through reading culturally diverse literature.
Grading Scale:
Test/Projects
65%
Grading Scale:
A- 100-90
Quizzes/Daily Work
30%
B- 89-80
Homework
5%
C- 79-70
D- 69-60
F- 59-0
Grading
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Your grade will consist of points received for quizzes, homework, major test, and special projects.
Quizzes may be unannounced.
Homework will be checked on random days. All unchecked homework should remain in your notebook, because it
will go towards your notebook grade. Assignments are due at the beginning of the period and late homework will not
be accepted.
Major test will be given after each topic is discussed.
Unannounced notebook checks will be given. Therefore, it is imperative to keep your notebook in order and complete
your assignment.
You will be required to complete different projects (power-points, oral presentations, and etc.) and you will be given
adequate time to get them completed. If you choose to be absent on the day a major project is due, then you will
receive a zero on your project. However, if you have an excused absence, then you will be able to present your project
the day you return. The same is true for check-in and check-outs.
Make-Up Work: Students are responsible for the work missed during absences. It is your responsibility to make sure you get
the assignments that you missed. Make-up work will only be issued when you have an excused absence. You have three days to
make-up any missed assignments. The assignments will be located in a folder on the bulletin board. Once you complete the
assignment, you will place the assignment back in the assigned folder for your class period. Any assignments that were do the
day of your absence will be checked upon your return.
Late Work: Late work will NOT be accepted. Only students with excused absences will be allowed to turn in assignments at a
later date.
Required Reading- You will be required to read four novels, various short stories, in class reading assignments, plays, and
poems. It is very imperative that the student’s purchase their novels as soon as possible.
Required Novels
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A Maximum Ride series #1 Angel Experience by James Patterson
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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
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Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper
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Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Material
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Grammar/Literature Book (must have book cover)
One Three Ring 1” Binder (hard back)
5 Dividers
Composition notebook
Blue/Black Pens (No other color pens will be accepted)
Liquid Paper
Pencils
Loose Leaf notebook paper (Paper that comes from a spiral notebook or tablet will not be accepted)
Hand held pencil sharpener (There are no pencil sharpeners in the classroom)
Highlighter
NOTE: In addition, if you are able to donate any of the following items, your generosity will be greatly appreciated.
-ream of paper, Kleenex, Germ-X, and paper towels.
Rules
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
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Use polite/appropriate language
- Be on Time
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Raise your hand
- Be Prepared
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Listen carefully
- Follow procedures
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Be honest and kind
- Begin Bell-ringer
Be Resourceful
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Be safe
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Know where to get supplies
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Ask your teacher for help
Consequences
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1st Offense- Individual teacher conference
2nd Offense- Phone call/ Parent alert letter
3rd Offense- Time out in team teacher’s class (no more than once per week)
4th Offense- Conference with parent/guardian
5th Offense- Office Referral
My signature below indicates that I have read the course overview and syllabus for this class
Parent/Guardian _____________________________________________________________________________
Student______________________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: STUDENTS WILL BE TESTED AFTER EVERY STORY AND EVERY OBJECTIVE IS MASTERED. IN
ADDITION, STUDENTS WILL ALSO HAVE UNANNOUNCED QUIZZES. HOMEWORK WILL BE GIVEN AT
LEAST TWO TO THREE TIMES PER WEEK. STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WRITE SEVERAL
EXPOSITORY AND PERSUASIVE ESSAYS THAT WILL BE COUNTED AS MAJOR TEST GRADES OR DAILY
WORK GRADES. STUDENTS WILL ALSO COMPLETE A MAJOR PROJECT THAT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT
A LATER DATE. THIS SYLLABUS IS JUST AN OVERVIEW OF THE LESSONS THAT WILL BE TAUGHT
DURING THE FIRST NINE WEEKS, AND IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Week 1
Review Classroom Procedures, Syllabus, and School Guidelines
Writing- The Writing Process, Paragraph Structure, Journal Exercises
Grammar- Sentence Structure
Week 2
Review Classroom Procedures, Syllabus, and School Guidelines
Writing- Elements of an Expository Essay, Four Square Writing Method, Journal Exercises
Grammar- Simple and Compound Sentences & Subjects/Predicates
Literature- “Why Do We Read?”, “Flash Flood”, Textual Elements, Setting a Purpose for Reading,
Previewing, reviewing, and Understanding text structure
Novel- Maximum Ride Series #1 The Angel Experience
Week 3
Writing- Expository Essay , Journal Exercises
Grammar- Punctuation, Using Commas, Semicolons, and Colons;
Literature- “Paddling Dicey Waters”, Vocabulary, Context Clues, Textual Elements, Fact/Opinion, Making
Predictions, Sequence of Events, Drawing Conclusions, Main Idea/Supporting Details
Novel- Maximum Ride Series #1 The Angel Experience
Week 4
Writing-Narrative Essay, Journal Exercises
Grammar- Punctuation, Using Commas, Semicolons, and Colons
Literature- “Seventh Grade”, Theme, Setting a Purpose for Reading, Vocabulary, Context Clues
Week 5
Writing- Expository Essay (General Topics), Journal Exercises
Grammar- Parts of Speech- Nouns
Literature- “Thank You M’am”, Style, Elements of a Plot, Literary Elements, Vocabulary, Context Clues,
Connotation, Denotation
Novel- Maximum Ride Series #1 The Angel Experience
Week 6
Writing- Persuasive Essay, Journal Exercises
Grammar- Parts of Speech- Nouns
Literature- “Where Are You”, “Message of Hope”, Literary Elements, Point-of View, Supporting Details,
Climax, Imagery, Flashback, Determining Mood
Novel- Maximum Ride Series #1 The Angel Experience
Week 7
Writing- Persuasive Essay, Journal Exercises
Grammar- Parts of Speech (Verbs)
Literature- “May I Have Your Autograph?” Main Idea/Supporting Details, Climax, Point of View, Imagery,
Theme, Characterization, Reviewing
Novel- Maximum Ride Series #1 The Angel Experience
Week 8
Writing- Persuasive Essay, Journal Exercises
Grammar- Parts of Speech (Verbs)
Literature- Context Clues, Main Idea/Supporting Details, Elements of a Plot, Vocabulary, Characterization
Novel- Maximum Ride Series #1 The Angel Experience
Week 9
Writing- Persuasive Essay, Journal Exercises
Grammar- Parts of Speech (Review Nouns and Verbs)
Literature- Main Idea/Supporting Details, Climax, Point of View, Imagery, Theme, Characterization
Novel- Maximum Ride Series #1 The Angel Experience
* All students are required to purchase their own novels. We will be reading four outside novels this school year. We will begin our
lessons on the first novel, A Maximum Series #1 Angel Experience August 23, 2010. This gives all students approximately two weeks to
purchase their novels. You can also check your local libraries for copies of the novel.*