English 7 – Syllabus – Course Information (Unabridged)
English 7
Vandenberg Middle School
Course Philosophy
Students consider what they want to make of their lives, examine what it looks
like to be a hero to their loved ones, and learn how to put language arts to work
for them in order to achieve.
Students will practice all of the skills enumerated in the Common Core State
Standards for California seventh-graders. They will hone their skills in reading
literature, reading nonfiction, writing, researching, organizing, speaking,
listening, grammar, and mechanics.
Units:
1. Short Readings: Summary and
Basic Skills
2. Literary Analysis: More
Advanced Writing Skills
3. The Novel: Actions and
Consequences
4. Narrative: Purpose, Audience,
and Community
5. Argument: Research and Logic
6. Multi-Media: The Big Picture,
Yesterday and Today
Texts
 Holt’s Literature and Language Arts: First Course
 Holt’s Handbook: Grammar, Usage, Mechanics, Sentences: First Course
 assorted individual books and short texts/articles given in class
Novels
Because of the limited availability of books, not all English 7 sections will be
reading the same novels this year. Here are titles that English 7 classes have
read in the past or that VMS has purchased for English 7 classes this year:
 The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
 The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 (Christopher Paul Curtis)
 Gathering Blue (Lois Lowry)
English 7 – Syllabus – Course Information (Unabridged)
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Crispin: The Cross of Lead (Avi)
Catherine, Called Birdy (Karen Cushman)
So Far From the Bamboo Grove (Yoko Kawashima Watkins)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain)
Tiger Rising (Kate DiCamillo)
Homework
There will not be written homework every single night.
However, students should be 1) reviewing previous material, 2) studying for
upcoming tests, or 3) reading for a short amount of time every night. (See
below for independent reading requirements.)
Late Work
Late work is unacceptable. Ultimately, if the teacher regularly accepts late work,
most students will fall further and further behind—constantly doing “late”
assignments and never getting ahead of their work.
Students can submit late work within 1 week of the due date by
1) filling out an Application to Submit Late Work
2) stapling it to the assignment
3) turning it into the correct box.
Applications to Submit Late Work are in the classroom and also on the course
website.
If the work is later than 1 week, it will not be accepted unless the student
serves a lunch detention. The purpose of that detention is to work with the
student one-on-one to develop stronger organizational or time management
skills.
Independent Reading Requirement
Outside of assigned and scheduled class reading, English 7 students are
required to read 3 books independently over the course of the year and to
submit a Star Sheet for each.
One book is due in Semester 1 and two books are due in Semester 2.
I urge you to do your independent reading as early as possible each semester,
before you get too busy—and before we start reading class novels!
Grading Scale (Passing Grades)
A+
97-100
B+
87-89
A
93-96
B
83-86
A90-92
B80-82
C+
C
C-
77-79
73-76
70-72
D+
D
D-
67-69
63-66
60-62
English 7 – Syllabus – Course Information (Unabridged)
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. It includes copying someone else’s
assignments, submitting work written by someone else, using someone else’s
ideas without acknowledgement, and improperly citing sources.
Plagiarism destroys college and academic careers. At the middle-school student
level, it will result in, at minimum, a failing grade on an assignment.
Administration may also need to be contacted.
Absent Work
Students who are absent need to make up missed material and work. We have
several resources for absent students. Pick one of three:
 Check Zangle – Class News.
 Check the daily class email (RECOMMENDED: you can find out what you
missed before you come back, and I attach whatever handout was
distributed to the class in the email so that you can print it out).
 Check the Welcome Back Binder in the classroom during warm-up.
If you have checked one of these three and are still confused, figure out your
specific questions and contact one of the two:
 a Study Buddy (before class, after school, or at lunch)
 Mrs. George (before class, after school, or at lunch)
Students cannot ask the teacher to “help them get caught up” DURING class. If
the teacher helps you solve YOUR issue, it takes away from everyone else’s
learning time. That’s why we give you many different ways to find out what you
missed before you even come back to school.
I am, however, more than happy to help you during lunch on Mondays or
Fridays if you can’t get caught up on your own. We can also meet outside of
class at some other time if you need.
Resources
These resources are for struggling students as well as students who want to go
further.
 the textbook you have at home
 class website
 Internet – do a search for the topic/concept you are struggling with and
see if there is an article or video that makes it easier for you to
understand
 Internet – join a readers’ or writers’ community
 Mrs. George’s Office Hours – come in at lunch on Mondays and Fridays at
lunch for extra help
 Study Buddies
 AVID tutorials (if you are enrolled in the AVID class)