Writing Writing is essential for students to discover, develop, clarify, and communicate thoughts and feelings. In this year-long class, all students will practice, evaluate, and set goals for the following:
•Writing different types of text for a variety of purposes and audiences •Using the writing process (prewriting, writing, revising, editing, publishing) •Applying six traits that make writing effective: Ideas and content, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and the conventions of spelling, grammar, and mechanics •Oral communication skills •Interpersonal communication skills
Reading With an emphasis on critical thinking, students explore diverse literature genres from around the world. Teachers will utilize a variety of grouping formats (individual, small group, whole class) and teaching strategies in order to meet the individual needs of students.
Students are expected to read independently for 15 minutes each day during class time, and will be expected to commit time outside of class each week to meet the expectations and requirements of this course.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The main objectives of this course are to enable students to develop effective writing and critical thinking skills, and to be able to communicate successfully in their successive academic years.
TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS Students will be reading the following texts. The list is subject to change:
Three Cups of Tea (Greg Mortenson) The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton) Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi) The Giver (Lois Lowry) Twelfth Night (William Shakespeare) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (John Boyne) Become the Music (MacMillan/McGraw-Hill)
While these books belong to SCIS, students are encouraged to use post-it notes, marking and taking notes as they read selections thoroughly. Books will be checked out from the SCIS Warehouse and students are responsible for the safe keeping and return of these materials. Please make every effort to keep them in good condition.
SUPPLIES Students will need the following for class each day:
BLACK or DARK BLUE INK pens and PENCILS
Binder for all handouts and notes with dividers. Students are expected to keep up with the multitude of paperwork in an organized fashion and save ALL handouts for end of semester exams.
Highlighter, student may choose the color, to be used to mark handouts and portions of own journal.
Post-It Notes (large enough to write on)
One bound notebook to be used ONLY for grammar! This journal will be submitted once a week.
Loose-leaf paper
Laptop
Copy of novel being read in class
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
Attendance
Students are expected to arrive to class on time and to attend all class sessions. Any student not sitting in their seat at the beginning of class will be considered tardy.
Students are expected to bring all required materials to class every day.
Participation
Students are expected to contribute their ideas and opinions to classroom discussions and projects.
Students will be periodically assigned to work in groups, and students will be expected to cooperate with every member of their group and contribute to the group effort. Students will fill out formal self-evaluations, as well as group evaluations based on work and cooperation.
Student Work
Students are expected to do their own work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a zero (0) for the work submitted. Students are expected to produce writing based on their own abilities and knowledge. Student work should be relatively close to that demonstrated in class. Papers will be submitted to www.turnitin.com for electronic screening.
If a student is aware of an upcoming absence, he or she is expected to notify the instructor and to inquire about missing work PRIOR to the absence. Work will be turned in THE DAY students return to school.
If you do not have homework to submit, you will fill out a post-it note identifying the assignment you are missing and the reason why the assignment is missing. Notes will be passed on to guardians during parent/teacher meetings or through email.
Late work will be deducted 25% if submitted after the specified time, 30% if submitted during the next class period, and 50% if submitted later than the next class period. This includes work that is turned in at the end of class when the assignment was collected at the beginning of class.
If a student needs to print an assignment at school, the work must be printed BEFORE class. The teacher will NOT print student homework, so students must be aware of their printing account and the amount of money it contains.
Every formal writing assignment MUST be typed. Some in-class writing will be handwritten.
Every assignment should follow the MLA Heading format or 25% will be DEDUCTED from an assignment if the heading and/or title are NOT included.
Behavior
Student behavior is expected to be consistent with SCIS beliefs and culture.
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, will affect a student’s participation grade, and will potentially result in disciplinary actions. Laptop use also belongs to this category. Be sure you are familiar with the proper use of laptops at SCIS.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The discipline policy is progressive and will be implemented for students who do not follow the behavior or academic rules.
First offense: Warning and meeting with student Second offense: Deduction of class participation grade and contact with parents Third offense: Detention and contact with parents and administrators
Reason(s) for referral to administration: Disrespectful to teacher/supervisor/students Physically/emotionally hurting others Taking/misusing/destroying property Disruptive behavior Failure to comply with rules Unacceptable language Unsafe activities Excessive tardies Plagiarism Excessive missing assignments
ASSESSMENT Students will be assessed in a variety of ways, including tests, quizzes, projects, papers, homework, class work, journal writing, and participation.
Upon entering the classroom, students will be seated in their seats and will begin independent reading.
Following the allotted for independent reading, students will have all materials they need and any assignment to be turned in on top of their desk. Any materials for other classes will be put away when class begins.
There will be a “warm-up” grammar activity that students will be expected to complete proactively as soon as silent reading has been completed. These assignments will be collected once a week for review.
At the end of class, students will be expected to record any assignments in their planner and clean up after themselves.
Students will leave the room only when the teacher dismisses the class.
Block Scheduling
Because class time is 90 minutes, small breaks will be taken and scheduled at the discretion of the teacher. Please ask permission before leaving the room.
Students may have drinking water in class and a snack (as long as it doesn’t disturb other students and the trash is disposed of properly). Snacks should be healthy (fruit, vegetables, nuts, etc.).
Additional Classroom Procedures:
Questions are encouraged! No question is too elementary. Misunderstandings and miscommunications often arise when students do not feel free to ask questions—please ask!
Participation is expected in class discussions.
Graded papers and essays are usually returned at the end of class; questions regarding grades are encouraged and students should make an appointment for anything requiring specific discussion.
Excessive and loud talking is prohibited during course work time and subject to after school detention.
On your own time, take care of all business with coaches and administrative staff.
Appointments can be made at student’s convenience, after school until 3:30 PM, or during office hours.
Text Messaging and/or use of cell-phones or iPods is prohibited; please comply with the rules.
Using your Personal Computer will be regulated in my class to specific lessons. DO NOT even open them unless you have been asked to do so; however, you may recharge your computer during class time at power outlets.
ONLY email sent from your g-mail account will be answered. Use of your g-mail (email) account is required and will be used by the teacher for all written communication!
Students are required to use the wiki!
A final thought…
Welcome to a new school year! I know that many changes have been made this year and that it will take time for all of us to settle into a successful year. What happens in our classroom will help shape you and your future! Every day you go home tired from all of the thinking you do during the day, and it is one day closer to you being able to look back and see all that you have accomplished. As your teacher, I promise to make each moment of your time spent with me count! I’m looking forward to an outstanding year, and with the help of you and your guardians, I’m sure we will make it happen!
Grade 7 Language Arts
Wiki address (online website): http://petrillo-english.wikispaces.com
Email: bpetrillo@scischina.org (Best way to get a hold of me!)
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:30-4:30 PM
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Writing
Writing is essential for students to discover, develop, clarify, and communicate thoughts and feelings. In this year-long class, all students will practice, evaluate, and set goals for the following:
•Writing different types of text for a variety of purposes and audiences
•Using the writing process (prewriting, writing, revising, editing, publishing)
•Applying six traits that make writing effective: Ideas and content, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and the conventions of spelling, grammar, and mechanics
•Oral communication skills
•Interpersonal communication skills
Reading
With an emphasis on critical thinking, students explore diverse literature genres from around the world. Teachers will utilize a variety of grouping formats (individual, small group, whole class) and teaching strategies in order to meet the individual needs of students.
Students are expected to read independently for 15 minutes each day during class time, and will be expected to commit time outside of class each week to meet the expectations and requirements of this course.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of this course are to enable students to develop effective writing and critical thinking skills, and to be able to communicate successfully in their successive academic years.
TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS
Students will be reading the following texts. The list is subject to change:
Three Cups of Tea (Greg Mortenson) The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi) The Giver (Lois Lowry)
Twelfth Night (William Shakespeare) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (John Boyne)
Become the Music (MacMillan/McGraw-Hill)
While these books belong to SCIS, students are encouraged to use post-it notes, marking and taking notes as they read selections thoroughly. Books will be checked out from the SCIS Warehouse and students are responsible for the safe keeping and return of these materials. Please make every effort to keep them in good condition.
SUPPLIES
Students will need the following for class each day:
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
DISCIPLINE POLICY
The discipline policy is progressive and will be implemented for students who do not follow the behavior or academic rules.
First offense: Warning and meeting with student
Second offense: Deduction of class participation grade and contact with parents
Third offense: Detention and contact with parents and administrators
Reason(s) for referral to administration:
Disrespectful to teacher/supervisor/students Physically/emotionally hurting others
Taking/misusing/destroying property Disruptive behavior
Failure to comply with rules Unacceptable language
Unsafe activities Excessive tardies
Plagiarism Excessive missing assignments
ASSESSMENT
Students will be assessed in a variety of ways, including tests, quizzes, projects, papers, homework, class work, journal writing, and participation.
Assessment percentages:
Grammar 5%
Participation 5%
Semester Exams 10%
Homework 10%
Tests 20%
Projects/Essays 20%
Quizzes/Class Work 30%
CLASSROOM ROUTINES
Block Scheduling
Additional Classroom Procedures:
A final thought…
Welcome to a new school year! I know that many changes have been made this year and that it will take time for all of us to settle into a successful year. What happens in our classroom will help shape you and your future! Every day you go home tired from all of the thinking you do during the day, and it is one day closer to you being able to look back and see all that you have accomplished. As your teacher, I promise to make each moment of your time spent with me count! I’m looking forward to an outstanding year, and with the help of you and your guardians, I’m sure we will make it happen!
Sincerely,
M. Brett Petrillo