2014 – 2015 7th Grade English/Language Arts Syllabus for Howard Middle School
Welcome!
Course Description
Instruction in the 7th grade addresses students’ increasing maturity and the growing sophistication of their abilities, culminating in
the development by the end of grade 8 of students who are ready to succeed in high school. Students should be able to
comprehend more challenging books and articles, basing all of their analyses, inferences, and claims on explicit and relevant
evidence from the texts. Students will expand on their ability to identify central ideas by identifying how those themes are shaped
and conveyed by particular details. Their analysis of basic literary elements will extend to identifying connections and
complexities within narratives and how individual elements weave together to advance plot and reveal character. The evaluation
of the impact of language on tone and meaning will begin to include more sophisticated concepts such as analogy and allusion,
subtleties in point of view such as dramatic irony, and a more sophisticated appreciation for connotative diction. These skills will
be incorporated into the students’ own narrative and expository writing. Students will become increasingly adept at
understanding an author’s biases, the use of complex rhetorical devices including logical fallacies, and tailoring his or her own
prose for maximum influence.
While continuing with a variety of literary non-fiction, students in grade 7 will begin to tackle more technical informational texts as
well. Literary selections will include foundational materials from mythology, cultural histories, and religious traditions.
Students advancing through the grades are expected to meet each year’s grade-specific standards, retain or further develop
skills and understandings mastered in preceding grades, and work steadily toward meeting the more general expectations
described by the Standards. Although the Standards are divided into Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language
strands for conceptual clarity, the processes of communication are closely connected. For example the Writing Standards require
that students write about what they read. Likewise, Speaking and Listening includes the necessity of presenting findings from
research.
Grading Policy
Grades are cumulative through the end of each semester and will be based on demonstrated mastery of concepts and the
development of skills. Updated grade reports will be posted on Infinite Campus on a weekly basis so students and parents may
continually monitor academic progress. I encourage you to do so! You can access Infinite Campus
at http://www.bcsdk12.net. Please contact the school office for more information on logging in. Grade reports will go out every
four and one half weeks. Student performance will be assessed in three areas:
Homework :
Daily Work/Quizzes (Classwork/Participation):
Tests/Projects/Writing:
10%
40%
50%
The Text
Georgia Collections by Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt.
The textbook this year is divided into 6 “Collections,” or units. Each unit will include reading, writing, critical thinking, research,
and language skills. The text is also available online at my.hrw.com. Login information will be provided to each student during
the first weeks of school. Most of the work we do will originate from this text.
Quizzes/Tests
Quizzes are given periodically to assess student understanding of a specific topic. Tests require students to recall information
from the entire course in order to prepare them for the new state-wide assessment. Students will also participate in several
Benchmark tests throughout the year to gauge their progress.
Makeup work and Late Work
It is the student’s responsibility to turn in work on time and to submit work after an absence in a timely
manner. Unexcused late work will be penalized by 10 points for each day it is late.
Contacting the Teacher
There are several ways to contact the teacher. Please remember it is the teacher’s job to lead a class everyday. If you send an
email, leave a voicemail message, or text, please do not expect a response right away. However, you should expect a response
within a reasonable time.
Contact:
Aida Brown
aida.brown@bcsdk12.net
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