7th Grade PROBE Language Arts Syllabus
Mrs. Amy E. Stewart
Richard Hull Middle School
2012-2013
amy_e_stewart@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Textbooks:
Language Network (2001), McDougal Littell
Language of Literature (2001), McDougal Littell
Vocabulary Workshop (2005), Sadlier-Oxford
Course Overview:
Reading strategies, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, study skills, writing, speaking and listening are taught throughout the academic year
1st Semester Focus
 Summer Reading
 The Writing Process, Explanatory Writing, and Argumentative Writing
 Literary Elements, Figurative Language and Character Analysis in Fiction and Nonfiction
 Research and Novel Study
2nd Semester Focus
 Writing Review: Expository and Argumentative Essays
 Poetry Unit with Figurative Language
 CRCT Practice and Review
 Research and Novel Study
Gifted LA students will participate in WordMasters, Vocabulary Workshop, SAT preparation/testing, novel studies, and projects – all which
accelerate and enrich the regular 7th grade curriculum.
Class Expectations:
Students are expected to: use the Agenda daily for both academics and outside activities to facilitate better time management, come to
class prepared, behave appropriately, complete all assigned work on time, and work to the best of their ability and beyond.
Grading Policy:
All grades in language arts will be determined by the following weighted system.
 Achievement grade: Summative Assessments – Tests/Projects 35%; Quizzes 15%
Classroom Assessments – Writing 20%; Classwork/Homework 20%; Final Exam- 10%

Effort grade will be determined by homework, completion of work, work turned in on time, class participation, creativity and
neatness applied, and other assignments that reflect the student’s effort as opposed to achievement.
Promotion Criteria for Language Arts:
Students must pass the Reading and English/Language Arts portion of the CRCT Exam with a score of 800 or better for promotion to the eighth grade.
ADDITIONAL PROBE INFORMATION
Students who are in only one gifted class will follow the GCPS Plan of Improvement process in order to maintain eligibility for
gifted services. This process requires that single served gifted students maintain a "C" or higher in their gifted class. Students who do
not maintain this average will be notified by their gifted program teacher and will be placed on a plan of improvement.
Gifted students who are scheduled for multiple gifted classes must maintain a class average of 80% or higher in all of their
gifted classes. At the end of the first semester, multiple class gifted students who do not maintain this average in all of their gifted
classes, will be scheduled for one less gifted class beginning second semester. This does not apply to students who are in only one
gifted class.
See PROBE 7th Grade LA newsletter for additional information.
Please sign and return the bottom portion of this syllabus to your child’s Language Arts teacher.
Student ____________________________________________________________________
LA Class Period 3
Parent Signature _____________________________________________________________
Date___________________