7th Grade English Language Arts Instructor Mr. Bishop Email: bishop40@msu.

edu Course Overview This year we will be working as a class to build upon and further develop the fundamental aspects of English language arts from last year: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Success in this course will be measured based upon the students progress in each of the four main language arts, as well as their overall skill and proficiency. The students will learn these skills through teacher lessons, cooperative group work, and diligent practice. Throughout the year we will be focusing on themes of individuality, culture, and learning from others. The experiences of each individual are unique and worthy of being represented in the classroom. I hope to learn as much from the students as they learn from me and one another. Behavior Part of bringing personal experiences into the classroom means we need a safe environment for students to be able to share those experiences and thoughts with the class. This means that the entire class (myself included) will be held to an expectation of treating one another with respect and courtesy at all times. This means taking care to treat others as you wish to be treated, especially with regard to other students lives, experiences, personal space, and personal property. Language Arts Curriculum Reading This year, the school-wide reading goal for 7th grade students is 25 books which includes what is assigned in class. In order to help achieve this goal, all students will keep a monthly reading log keeping track of what you read and how often. In addition to the log, students will keep an in-class reading journal that will be used to respond to texts that they read for class. Due to the amount of books to be read for the goal, students will be permitted to use any free time they may have in class to read silently. Students may check out books from the school library, my personal classroom collection, or bring books from home to read. Writing We will cover three major areas of writing in class this year: research, argument, persuasive, and expository. The students in class reading journal will be used to lay groundwork and practice these forms of writing and will eventually lead to assignments with multiple drafts. While grammar, organization, and spelling will be considered for the final draft, student writing will be assessed based on the progress made through drafts and the quality of content present throughout. Before each final draft is due, students will have the opportunity to have a writing conference with me. All final drafts should be in Times New Roman or Arial font, size 12 double spaced. Speaking Students will have ample opportunity to share thoughts, experiences, and writing with one another. Speaking can be used as part of the writing process in order to generate thoughts or ideas. It can also be used as the final piece of a student assignment, allowing the student to present or share the findings of research or argue a claim.

Listening Active listening will be a crucial part of this class. While listening to teacher instruction is important in many classrooms as well as mine, students will be expected to listen to one another respectfully, and offer comments and feedback when appropriate. Attendance, Tardies, Make-up Work Effective learning depends in large part on good attendance. Attendacne and tartdies will factor into your grade. In order to reiece full points in these areas, you are expected to be in your seat and working on the warm up activity when class begins. We will follow school policy for make-up work (one day for each day missed). Materials/Preparedness/Personal Responsibility Students will be expected to bring the required materials to class on a daily basis, unless otherwise specified. - Class folder or three ring binder - Pen/pencil and eraser - Book for silent reading Grading Grades will be determined on a point basis converted to a percentage. Total points earned, divided by total points possible, multiplied by 100 is your percentage. 98-100 = A+ 93-97 = A 90-92 = A87-89 = B+ 83-86 = B 80-82 = B77-79 = C+ 73-76 = C 70-72 = C67-69 = D+ 63-66 = D 60-62 = D-

Late Policy Small assignments that are one day late will be given 75% credit. Any small assignment more than one day late will not be accepted. Any big assignment or project that is late will result in a 10% point loss for each day it is late. Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism Using words or ideas of others without proper citation and/ or presenting those ideas as your own violates the School District Code of Conduct. Cheating of any kind, including misrepresenting ones own work, taking credit for the work of others, copying from a classmate and the fabrication of information will not be tolerated and will result in a zero on the assignment and a conference with both the student and the parent(s)/guardian(s) and could result in loss of credit and/or a school suspension.
I have read and understand the outlines and expectations for Mr. Bishops class this year. I will keep a copy of the syllabus in my class binder or folder for the entire year to refer to as needed. ______________________________________ Student Signature ______________________________________ Parent(s) Signature ______________________________________ Date

Parents and/or guardians As your childs teacher, I will be sending regular email updates and reminders to you about things that are happening in class and on our team. To facilitate the process of putting together a distribution list, please provide me with current email addresses for both student(s) and parent(s). Student name: ____________________________________

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