Course Syllabus 2014-2015
Lauren Wright
wrightla@ltisdschools.org
512.533.6400 Ext. 5633
Core Academic Language Arts Seven
Course Description
In seventh grade students refine and master previously learned knowledge and skills in
increasingly complex presentations, reading selections, and written compositions. The reading
course is an integrated approach to the teaching of English. A literature-based reading program is
joined with a process-oriented writing program to provide a well-rounded language arts
curriculum. The students read different genres of literature for enjoyment, exposure to different
people and ideas, higher level and critical thinking skills, enhancement of reading
comprehension, and access to meaningful writing topics. The writing program is based on a fivestep process in which students apply their integrated knowledge in a variety of guided writing
experiences reflecting cognitive concepts and the writing process. Considerable emphasis will be
placed on increased writing skills as seventh graders bear the responsibility for passing the
STAAR Writing Exam in the spring of the year. Integration of the library’s services and campus
technology enhance the program.
Major Learner Outcomes
Reading Comprehension: Students understand, make inferences and draw conclusions about
literary texts' theme and genre, poetry, drama, fiction, literary nonfiction, expository, persuasive,
and procedural texts, as well as figurative language and sensory imagery in literary texts.
Writing Outcomes: Students use elements of the writing process (planning, drafting, revising,
editing, and publishing) to compose texts. Students write literary texts, narratives, expository,
persuasive essays using correct conventions and legible handwriting.
Scope and Sequence of Units
Unit 01: Understanding/Applying Elements and Structure in Fiction and Drama (8 weeks)
Unit 02: Understanding/Applying Elements and Structure in Literary Nonfiction and Informational Text
(8 weeks)
Unit 03: Applying Comprehension Skills (6 weeks)
Unit 04: Understanding/Applying Elements and Structure in Persuasive Text and Media (4 weeks)
Unit 05: Connecting Reading Comprehension Skills Across All Genres
Unit 06: Creating/Understanding/Applying Elements of Research Across Genres (10 weeks)
First Nine Weeks August 25 - Oct 17
Understanding/Applying Elements and Structure in Fiction and Drama (8 weeks)
Required outside reading / Novel Project
Literary Non Fiction; STAAR related Narrative formal writing
Close Reading Assignments with annotation
Parts of Speech-form and function
Sentence Structure and Punctuation
Daily Oral Language/ Concept based language study
Writer’s Notebook, Paragraph Practice,
Root word
Taming of the Shrew William Shakespeare
Second Nine Weeks October 20 – Dec. 19
Understanding/Applying Elements and Structure in Literary Nonfiction and Informational Text (8 weeks)
Required outside reading/
Close Reading Assignments
STAAR related formal writing; Extended Expository essay writing practice
Daily Oral Language/ Concept based language study
Writer’s Notebook
Sentence Structure and Punctuation
Timed Writing
Paragraph Practice, vocabulary study, context clues and etymology
The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Third Nine Weeks January 6 - March 13
Gaining Information and Providing Evidence
Required outside reading/Novel Project
STAAR related formal writing: Expository and Narrative essay practice,
Daily Oral Language/ Concept based language study
Writer’s Notebook
Timed writing,
Vocabulary study, context clues and etymology
Fourth Nine Weeks March 23 – June 4 STAAR Writing March 30, 31 STAAR Reading April 22
Unit 05: Connecting Reading Comprehension Skills Across All Genres
Unit 06: Creating/Understanding/Applying Elements of Research Across Genres (10 weeks)
Required outside reading /Novel Project &
Close Reading Assignments
STAAR related formal writing
Daily Oral Language/ Concept based language study
Writer’s Notebook
Analogies
Persuasive essay writing practice with “Do Your Dream” research project.
Textbooks and Other Major Resources
Holt MacDougal Literature and adopted novels-Holt McDougal
Write Source – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, outside required reading from the HBMS library, The Giver
Lois Lowry, Walk Two Moons Sharon Creech, The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, The Taming of
the Shrew William Shakespeare
Grading Policy
Opportunity to improve a failing grade on major exam/test (excludes mid‐term and end-of-course exams)
Students must make an effort to attend a re‐teach session and/or prepare study sheet/notes (or anything else the
teacher may require to show the student learned the material);
Tests/Exams must be re‐taken and/or corrected at the teacher’s discretion within the week of the failed test or within
the next five school days;
Re‐submitted work will be graded for a maximum grade of 70%.
Late work policy –Zeros for an assignment are not acceptable.
Therefore, students are expected to complete the work and turn it in. Daily work that is late must be turned in for a
maximum grade of 70 (less any incorrect answers) by attending homework hall and turned in the next class period
with the Homework Hall stamp. Teachers will drop one homework grade at the end of the nine week grading period.
Long term work will be taken one school day late with a 15% deduction; two school days late with a 30% deduction;
no work taken after the third school day.
Work is considered due at the door. Work completed in the hall after the start of class is considered late.
Relevant Reading and Vocabulary Lists
Academic Vocabulary for Reading Comprehension: Figurative language, Literary terms
Academic Vocabulary for Writing: Essay Terms
Required Outside Reading: graduated reading amounts by page per quarter. Start 600 pages
increasing by 100 pages per quarter. This could be two 300 page books, or perhaps three 200
page books. Students may not re-read a novel they have previously read.
Tutoring Times
Tuesday and Thursday morning 8:15 to 8:40 AM. After school by appointment
Homework Policy
Short Term and Formative Assignments:
A. Vocabulary study: self-selected and class novel-based SAT words
B. Latin and Greek root words, prefixes and suffixes
C. Analogies
D. Daily Oral Language/Grammar in Context Language
F. Writer’s Notebook; Weekly Reading Log (Sticky Note Discussion) Reading Comprehension focus
E. Literary terms; definition, identification, effect and application
Long Term and Summative Assignments:
A. Novel study with emphasis on literary elements, style analysis, annotation, tone and attitude,
symbolism, and text organization
B. Required Outside Reading
C. STAAR Writing with emphasis on thesis, claims and assertions, ideas and content, organization, voice,
word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions.
D. Oral Book Reviews and/or Novel Projects, Final Reading Logs
Grading Weights:
Independent Practice:
Daily/Homework/Reading Log & Writer's Notebook Checks 15% Formative Assessments:
Quizzes/Minor Writing Assignments – 25%
Summative Assessments:
Exams/Major Writing Projects/Final Reading Logs & Novel Projects – 60%
Conference Period
Period 1 8:45-9:33 A.M.
Discipline Plan
Classroom behavior:
Minor infractions verbal redirect/warning
Continued infractions: parent contact by phone or email
Problematic infractions/insubordination: parent contact by phone or email with referral