OPEN HOUSE
2013
Mrs. Orlowski’s
English 7
My name is Tracy Orlowski and I will be your child’s English teacher this year. Because
I will be spending fifty-five minutes each day with your child, I would like to take this
opportunity to tell you a little about myself, both personally and professionally.
This is my eleventh year as a teacher at Bemis Junior High. I attended Oakland
University, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with a double
major in French and English. I also received a Master of Library Science degree from
Southern Connecticut State University. At home, my husband and I have three little
girls and enjoy spending as much time with them as possible! They do keep us very
busy!
I take my commitment to teaching very seriously. My goal, as a teacher, is to help your
child reach his or her full potential. I hold high expectations in not only academics, but
also in behavior. I will do all that I can to help him or her meet those expectations.
I look forward to an exciting and productive year, and I hope your child is, too. Please
feel free to call me any time you have questions or concerns. Your involvement and
support mean a great deal.
TEXTBOOKS
Elements of Literature, First Course by Holt,
Rinehart, Winston
Language Network, by McDougal Littell
SYLLABUS
QUARTER 1
 Short Stories:
• Collection One
• “Rikki Tikki Tavi” by Rudyard Kipling
• “Three Skeleton Key” by George Toudouze
• Collection Seven:
•
•
•
•
•
“The Origin of the Seasons”
“Echo and Narcissus”
“King Midas and the Golden Touch”
“The Flight of Icarus”
“The Labors of Hercules”
Q1 GRAMMAR
Grammar:
• Short Parts of Speech Review
• Comma Usage
QUARTER 2
 Novel – Genre: Mystery
• The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
 Grammar:
• More Comma Usage
QUARTER 3
 Genre - Drama:
• Screenplay – Glory Road
• Teleplay – The Monsters are Due on Maple Street
• Play – As You Like It by William Shakespeare (if time)
 Collection Three: Point of View
• “After Twenty Years” by O. Henry
• “Bargain” by A. B. Guthrie
Q3 GRAMMAR
Grammar:
• Verb Phrases
• Prepositional Phrases
• Appositive Phrases
QUARTER 4
Novel – Genre: Nonfiction
• Bad Boy by Walter Dean Myers
Genre – Poetry
• Various authors
• Create a poetry book
Q4 GRAMMAR
Grammar:
• Clauses (Dependent & Independent)
• Types of Sentences (Simple, Compound, and
Complex)
ALL YEAR
 Along with many of the stories, students will be creating
both hands-on projects and multimedia projects throughout
the year.
 Students will also have several writing assignments, such as
quickwrites, cause and effect paragraphs, mystery short stories,
an I-search report, and a short memoir.
REMINDER 101
 If you would like reminders sent (text or email) to you about tests,
quizzes, or large projects, please text
@eng7th to
(917) 746-2009
.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
 Bellringers at the beginning of the hour.
 Schedule on board weekly.
 Daily schedule on board daily.
 Extra worksheets basket.
 No Name board.
 Grades posted in classroom bi-weekly.
CONTACT
Email: tracy.orlowski@uticak12.org
Phone: (586) 797-2500 x-2522
Conference Hour: 6th 2:05 – 3:01