th 7 Grade Pre AP Language Arts Mrs. Ricks Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from UH Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UH (specialized in Language Arts) Certified to teach L.A. 1st-8th grades Taught for four years at Bear Branch Elementary This is my sixth year at Creekwood Grading Daily grades, class work, and homework count for 40% of a student’s grade. Tests and projects make up the remaining 60% of the student’s grade. There will be at least three test grades per six weeks. Pre AP Novels We will be reading two novels in class this year: Pre AP will read Devil Storm, A Christmas Carol and Touching Spirit Bear Students will also be expected to read outside of class during the three six week periods we are not studying a novel in class. Pre Ap Independent Reading Books must be at a 5.0 reading level or above. Students will receive a study guide to fill out while reading the novel. On the following due dates, students will bring their study guides and novels to class to use on a test September 29th November 3rd April 13th Other Reading Students will also read several short stories, plays, and poetry throughout the year Writing Multi-paragraph essays Imaginative Fiction A script of an original play A persuasive letter Research in a multi-media format Literary analysis Vocabulary Will be taken from assigned reading material Could be literary terms learned in class: flashback, metaphor, etc. Spelling Will focus on commonly misspelled words One point per word will be deducted (up to 10 points per assignment) for misspelled words on formative and summative assessments Some common 7th grade mistakes: there, they’re, their, your, you’re, our, are, we’re, where, were Grammar We focus mainly on the 7 steps to grammar, a strategy for identifying the parts of speech and diagramming sentences. We will also practice correct punctuation and capitalization throughout the year ZAP Students may make up work on Thursday mornings or during D-hall before or after school. All work must be made up before progress reports are due, or the zeros stand – three weeks to make up work