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English 7
2023 - 2024
Mrs. Cummings
Welcome to English 7! I look forward to working with you this year. I expect this class to work hard and as a result have a successful school year! You are invited to take control of your learning and if there is a project idea, writing idea, etc. that you have, please feel free to share. This classroom is YOUR stage!
Homework:
Homework may be assigned daily, and you are expected to complete and turn in assignments by the deadlines given in class. All homework assignments require complete sentences that use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation. In addition, you must have an appropriate heading including your name, Mrs. Cummings (teacher’s name), the class, and date. Proofread your assignments before handing them in. Homework assignments include, but are not limited to, reading, reading comprehension questions, writing, grammar practice, research, mini/long term projects, etc.
Grading
Grades are based on in class work (participation), homework, quizzes, projects, and tests.
Homework/in class work – 25%
Quizzes/projects - 30%
Tests - 45%
*Some writing assignments may count as a quiz grade. I will inform you of this for individual situations.
*Your final exam counts for 20% of your overall grade.
Make-up Policy:
You are required to follow the attendance policy written in the EK Student Handbook. Late homework without a legal excuse is recorded as a zero.
If you are present the day an assignment is given, you are responsible for the completion of that assignment on the day of your return. If you are absent when an assignment is given, then you will have the same amount of days you were absent to make up that assignment, if you provide a legal excuse. It is your responsibility to come and get missed assignments from me. If you have a band lesson scheduled the same time as class, you must come to me to obtain any class notes, information, and/or homework assignment. Band lessons do not count as an absence from class. I understand unexpected, extreme circumstances do occur in life and sometimes compromises have to be made. Open communication and personal responsibility are the best ways to ensure your situation and needs will be handled fairly. There is a bin on the counter that will have notes, handouts, homework assignments, etc. for you to take from any day you were absent, however, you still need to see me for directions. Remember, assignments will be posted on Schoology.
Classroom Expectations
You will be trained on the classroom expectations as well as classroom behavior. You are required to follow classroom and school behavioral expectations. Discipline procedures will follow what is written in the EK Student Handbook.
- Arrive to class on time, or have a valid pass.
- Bring all necessary materials - textbook(s), pen or pencil, Chromebook, etc.
- No hats or cell phone use.
- You may have a snack and WATER ONLY (quietly)
- Respect yourself, others, and the classroom.
- Listen and follow all directions given by the teacher.
- Ask questions appropriate to content, and answer questions respectfully.
- Speak politely – use inside voice and build people up.
- Enter and exit the classroom in an orderly fashion.
- No use of electronics unless granted permission from the teacher.
- Do your best.
Learning Targets
Learning targets are educational goals that we would like to strive to achieve. Below are some learning targets for the school year:
- Compare a fictional time, place, or character in one text with the same time, place, or character portrayed in a historical account.
- Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.
- Determine how characters change or develop over the course of a text.
- Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text.
- Analyze the structure of texts.
- Determine how two individuals, events, or ideas in a text are related.
- Compare the points of view of two or more characters or narrators in a text.
- Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.
- Engage in collaborative discussions.
- Speak clearly and precisely in peer groups and speeches.
- Write to share information supported by details.
- Write a narrative about a real or imagined experience introducing the experience, at least one character, and two or more events.
Electronics
Personal electronics are not permitted during the school day. Therefore, you will receive a discipline referral if you are seen using a personal device. Seventh grade students, specifically, are to keep electronics in the locker.
Extra Credit
I do not do extra credit. I feel that it is just unnecessary work for both the student(s) and me. Do your work, as assigned, and there should be no need for extra credit. There are chances throughout the year for bonus points on assignments and/or quizzes, so take advantage of that.
Hall Passes
You will be allowed ten hall passes for each marking period. It is pre-signed so all that you have to do is write the date, let me know you are using one and where you are going. Once you have used all your hall passes, that is it, you may not leave my room until the start of another marking period. At the end of each marking period, you may turn in your hall passes for a bonus. If you have all ten of your hall passes at the end of a marking period you will receive a “Get Out of Homework Free” card good enough for one assignment during the next marking period (exclusions apply), and a free 100. If there is any abuse of this incentive, we will not continue. Hall passes should be used for necessary purposes. Even though you are given hall passes, it does not always mean that I will allow you to leave the room. I may take a hall pass if your start the habit of coming to class unprepared without your binder, writing utensil, and/or Chromebook. Because it is disruptive, using a hall pass to leave the room during quizzes/tests is not be permitted. There are some exceptions to the homework pass such as reading assignments, quizzes, tests, and longer-term reading and writing projects.
**The information within this syllabus could possibly change/or adjust at any time. I will inform you of any necessary changes. **
