Emerging Hawaiian leaders equipped with 21st century skills and grounded in Christian & Hawaiian values.
Grade 7 English
COURSE SYLLABUS
SY 2015-2016
KUMU: Mrs. Sheila Dean
Classroom: Kaheiheimālie J-18
Office phone: 573-7114
GOOGLE ADDRESS: shdean@maui.ksbe.edu
Office hours:
Monday-Thursday 2:45-3:30
By appointment only
Email: shdean@ksbe.edu
Class schedule:
Year-long course, A/B schedule
Edmodo: parents can access class
information by joining the child’s Edmodo
class. Information will be forwarded to
parents.
A. DESCRIPTION
The 7th grade English course is a required course. Kamehameha Schools has adopted the Common
Core State Standards. These standards provide the basis for our curriculum. Each unit provides
students with opportunities to enhance their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The goal
of instruction is to teach and support students as they develop literacy and thinking skills to
communicate clearly and effectively for various purposes.
Class time will also include preparation for the NWEA Reading tests. Students will take the NWEA
assessments in August, December, and May.
B. ORGANIZATION
Students attend English classes on an A/B schedule. Therefore, classes meet every other
day for approximately 80 minutes per session. The general breakdown of the English block
is as follows:
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1-2 minutes: Individual Preparation-read agenda, turn in assignments, write homework in
planner, prepare materials, etc.
15-20 minutes: “SQuIRT” – Student Quiet Independent Reading Time-students will quietly
read their independent choice reading book during this time. Students will be challenged to
read 40 books this school year.
1-2 minutes: Whole Group- teacher reviews agenda, answers questions, clarifies
information, etc.
15-16 minutes: Whole Group- Read Aloud or mini-lesson focused on
reading/writing/speaking/listening strategies & skills
15 minutes: Small Group Work OR Individual Work- English content; time for teacher to
meet with small groups or individual students; students will focus on reading, writing, or
language/vocabulary assignments
20 minutes: Reading Plus®- students complete a Guided Reading and PAVE session on
computer
2-3minutes: Whole Group- Review & Respond & Reflect: Time for students and teacher to
Emerging Hawaiian leaders equipped with 21st century skills and grounded in Christian & Hawaiian values.

share work or ideas, respond to each other, review homework assignments and deadlines,
repeat necessary information, etc.
1-2 minutes: Clean-up, laptop storage, dismissal
***Schedule subject to change depending on school activities, units of study, group projects, etc.
C. COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goals for this English 7 course are to:
1. Develop independent learners who use resources ethically and proficiently
2. Improve literacy skills to understand and communicate information clearly and effectively
3. Increase reading fluency and reading comprehension skills
4. Enhance writing skills for personal and academic purposes
5. Practice speaking in front of an audience
6. Promote awareness of the value and dangers of technological resources (internet, social media,
etc.)
7. Foster social and communication skills when working on teams, with partners, or in small groups
8. Explore areas of interest through researching, reading, writing, viewing, and discussing
9. Increase each studentʻs volume of daily independent reading
10. Develop/Enhance each studentʻs love of reading
D. COURSE STANDARDS
Reading: Literature & Informational Text: Key Ideas & Details
Reading: Literature & Informational Text: Craft & Structure
Reading: Literature & Informational Text: Integration of Knowledge & Ideas
Reading: Literature & Informational Text: Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Writing: Text Types & Purposes
Writing: Production & Distribution of Writing
Writing: Research to Build & Present Knowledge
Writing: Range of Writing
Speaking & Listening: Comprehension & Collaboration
Speaking & Listening: Presentation of Knowledge & Ideas
Language: Conventions of Standard English
Language: Knowledge of Language
Language: Vocabulary Acquisition & Use
E. TEXTS
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 Literature: Elements of Literature (First Course)
• Writing: Step-Up-To-Writing (Secondary Level), A Writer’s Guide to Transitional
Words and Expressions, & teacher-created material
• Vocabulary: Greek and Latin Roots, More Greek and Latin Roots, literary &
informational texts
• Novels: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• Grammar: Daily Oral Language, MUG Shots, online resources
 40 Independent Reading Books (within studentʻs reading range)-We will use our
Emerging Hawaiian leaders equipped with 21st century skills and grounded in Christian & Hawaiian values.

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schoolʻs library as the main resource for independent reading books. Students are
expected to choose books within/above their Lexile levels
Composition Tablet
Literacy Binder
F. GRADING PLAN
Coursework will be weighted as follows:
40 Books Challenge
Formative Assessments
Summative Assessments
0%
0%
100%
ATTENDANCE:
Please see KSM student handbook for absent policy.
GENERAL:
Grades will be posted on KS Connect every two weeks. Please check grades often and
communicate any concerns or discrepancies with the teacher immediately.
Progress reports may be sent home at mid-quarter for students receiving a grade at or
below a C-. A parent signature is required on all reports sent home.
G. CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT
Please see KSM student handbook for conduct policy.
Order of consequences for disrespectful or inappropriate behavior in Mrs. Dean’s class:
1. First verbal warning from teacher; warned with a “1”
2. Second verbal warning from teacher; warned with a “2”
3. Third offense-private conference with teacher; classroom detention or assignment to
correct behavior; minor infraction sent to Vice Principal for record keeping purposes
4. Fourth offense-student will call parents to inform them of misbehavior; 2 days of detention
or 2 assignments to correct behavior; minor infraction sent to Vice Principal for record
keeping purposes
5. Fifth offense-teacher will call parent to make arrangements for parent to attend classes with
student until student’s behavior improves; written apology to teacher and/or classmates for
misbehavior; personalized consequences and timeline discussed between teacher, parent,
and/or administrators; minor infraction sent to Vice Principal for record keeping purposes
6. Sixth offense-removal from class with academic consequences resulting from absences;
referral to administrators for major infraction, school level consequences (i.e. suspension,
in-school detention, removal from social field trips or activities, etc.)
Emerging Hawaiian leaders equipped with 21st century skills and grounded in Christian & Hawaiian values.
J. SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS
Sign up for participation in Remind.com. This allows students and parents to receive texts
or emails from teacher with pertinent reminders about class or school activities, deadlines,
announcements, etc. Check Edmodo regularly for homework assignments, announcements,
deadlines, links to important information, etc. Write down assignments and deadlines in
the daily planner and check KS-Connect on a regular basis to see updated grade
information. Do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Dean with any questions or concerns. The
best way to communicate with Mrs. Dean is through e-mail: shdean@ksbe.edu.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
QUARTER
MAJOR UNITS OF STUDY
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Reading Strategies
Independent Reading
Greek & Latin Roots; Vocabulary Study
The Writing Process
Grammar/Language Usage
Narrative Writing
2nd
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Reading Strategies
Independent Reading
Greek & Latin Roots; Vocabulary Study
Grammar/Language Usage
Expository Writing: Compare & Contrast Essay
3rd
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Reading Strategies
Independent Reading
Greek & Latin Roots; Vocabulary Study
The Research Process
MLA Format
Expository Writing: Research Paper
4th
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Reading Strategies
Independent Reading
Greek & Latin Roots; Vocabulary Study
Grammar/Language Usage
Novel Study: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
1st