ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA) 7/8 TEACHER: BETH SNOW

Course Description
The general curriculum for Middle School students in Language Arts seeks to review and expand reading, writing, inquiry,
and presentation skills. Students opinions and collaborations will be an integral part of the classroom instruction.

Goals & Objectives

Develop effective communication skills in reading, writing, and speaking.
Build up comprehension and appreciation for read texts.
Increase knowledge of vocabulary through root and stem exercises.
Teach critical thinking and questioning skills through text analysis.
Integrate the knowledge and interests of students towards their learning.

Course Materials and Texts

Since a text is anything that can be read and analyzed, well be working through a variety of mediums in class such as:
Assigned textbooks
Comic books and/or Graphic novels
Online blogs
Twitter posts
Historical speeches
Newspaper articles
Videos and Movies
Novels
Texts for the week will be posted Sunday evenings on the class website. Be advised that texts will address any number of
perspectives on relevant social and world issues. If you have questions or concerns regarding specific sources and authors,
feel free to get in touch with me. Accommodations can be made with respect to Core requirements so long as there is ample
time to provide a student with an alternate text.

Classroom Agreements and Responsibilities

Students know to be on time and ready to work in class. If you are tardy, it is your responsibility to talk to me after class to
make sure you are marked on the roll. Three tardies equal an absence, so please be on time. If you know youre going to be
absent, you need to get in touch with me as soon as possible. I agree to work with students if they communicate with me
about being absent in a timely manner. However, after two unexcused absences, your grade will begin to be affected.

While in class, I ask that you show alert attention to discussions and activities. You need to be genuinely present, not just a
warm body in a chair. Thoughtful in-class participation is encouraged and rewarded. Students also agree to show respect to
their peers, teacher, and learning environment. More specific rules and expectations can and will be developed within the
class by collaborating and collecting input from students.

A note about personal devices

In middle school, students are required to turn in their phones to the office at the beginning of the day. This is a preemptive
agreement in accordance with the administration and parental approval to help minimize inappropriate use of a cellphone,
during and in between classes. With respect to our school policies, if students are found to be using devices without
permission, they will have them taken away and turned into the office to be picked up at the end of the school day by a parent
or guardian. This has been the best way to assure equal attention and consideration to individual learning, group learning, and
teacher instruction.

Homework Procedures

Since students will be given ample time to complete work in class, anything that isnt done will be assigned as homework to
be brought back the following period. Students can expect to participate in and complete individual or group projects as
assigned. Additionally, here is what students can be expected to do on an ongoing basis:
30 minutes (minimum) required reading: Monday through Friday from an age appropriate book of their choosing.
Due Mondays, first thing (otherwise adjusted for Holidays/non-school days). Students may also count time they read
in their group Literature Circle novel.
Literature Circles: Students will meet in groups (first organized by the teacher) to discuss a novel theyve agreed to
read and respond to, completed at home and due Thursdays. Their responses will be recorded on a sheet provided in
class with in-depth question/answer opportunities. This will allow students to self-organize, collaborate, and facilitate
meaningful discussions about great YA literature.

Assessment & Grading

Grading is based on the timely completion and quality of assigned work, projects, presentations, quizzes, and participation. If
a student shows a willingness to do good work and actively contribute to our class, there is no reason they shouldnt earn a
good grade. Grades are given to students according to the following percentages:
A= 90-100% B= 80-89% C= 70-79% D= 60-69% F= >60%
*** Plagarism: Defined as, The act of stealing and/or rewording someone elses work and claiming it as your own. If you
are found to have plagiarized an assignment, youll be given a zero grade and your parent/guardian will be notified.
Please get in touch with me if you are struggling with an assignment. Cheating is never the answer!

A note on late/make up work

Reading Logs and Lit Circle papers will not be accepted past Mondays/Thursdays unless a student has an excused absence
from the office, marked in PowerSchool. Lit Circle papers incur a loss of discussion points that cannot be made up due to an
absence. One exception: Students can either send their completed Lit Circle with another student, or email their completed
Lit Circle paper for discussion use early on Thursday mornings. Keep in mind, not every in-class activity/assignment can be
replicated. Most in-class assignments have make-up components (again with an excused absence). It is the students
responsibility to come in before/after school to find out what theyre missing and what they can make up.

--------------------------------------------------Please sign and return this page to teacher----------------------------------------------

Student Disclosure Agreement

I, ____________________________________________, agree to be active and prepared for class. I agree to be

respectful towards my peers and my teacher, both in actions and words. I know it is my responsibility to communicate with
Ms. Snow directly and in a timely manner if I need assistance with schoolwork, absences, or any potential conflict to my
learning. I have read and understood the agreements for the class and how I am to conduct myself as a learner in Ms. Snows
room.

_____________________________________________________ ___________________________
Signature Date

Parent Disclosure Agreement

I, ____________________________________________, have read and understand the expectations for Ms.

Snows class and my student. I know that if I have a conflict with the structure of the class or needs of my student,
I will contact Ms. Snow right away. I understand that absences need to be addressed in a timely manner if I wish my student
to eligible for the make-up work. I agree to collaborate with Ms. Snow for the benefit of my students success.

_____________________________________________________ ___________________________
Signature Date