Mrs. Krambeer

                        Department:  English                                    Course Title:  Language Arts 7

                        Grade Level:  Seventh Grade                                    Prerequisite:  None

This syllabus WILL CHANGE as we go through the year!  

I.  Course Description

            Language Arts 7 is a required class for all seventh grade students.  The course will include experiences in the Iowa Core Curricular areas of writing, reading, language, speaking, and listening, as well as 21st century skills.  Students will utilize the steps of the writing process to create a variety of writing pieces for different purposes.  Students will further explore the connection between reading and writing to foster skills.  Students will also engage in speaking listening, viewing and technological activities to enhance their learning.

II.  Course Outcomes

1.  Students will develop skill in the use of mechanics and conventions of language in relation to purpose, audience, and performance.

2.  Students will think critically in order to solve problems and make decisions in their daily lives using the modes of communication.

3.  Students will learn character empathy and improve their decision making process by analyzing the choices made by characters in their reading material.

4.  Students will locate information and use it to answer questions and present it as a written compilation.

5.  Students will understand how language adapts to the needs of people through different times and situations.

6.  Students will increase their multi-cultural, non-sexist, and global awareness, while at the same time, develop understanding of common cultural experiences.

7.  Students will develop an increasing awareness of technical developments and how to apply these towards communication.

8.  Students will become more comfortable and capable speaking in front of peers.

III.  Course Competencies

            1.  Students will use the five step writing process.

            2.  Students will produce documents void of spelling errors.

            3.  Students will demonstrate proper grammar, usage, and mechanics skills.

            4.  Students will keep a journal.

            5.  Students will increase their vocabulary.

            6.  Students will read at least one of the Iowa Teen Award books.

            7.  Students will develop essay response skills.

            8.  Students will use note-taking skills

            9.   Students will be able to access and process information using the computer.

            10.  Students will create, present and critique a speech

            10. Students will develop strategies to write persuasively.

            11.  Students will review the concepts of informative/expository, and narrative writing as well.

            12.  Students will use information gathering skills to find information via media center, computer sources, and outside sources.

            15.  Students will read at least 8 books independently throughout the year.

            16.  Students will read at least one Newberry nominated book.

            17.  Students will read at least one biography/autobiography.

            18.  Students will read at least one historical fiction book.

            19.  Student will use the 6 Trait writing model to improve his/her writing.

IV.  Course Outline

            A.  Reading

            -will increase vocabulary.                                               (Through reading + periodic activities)

            -will read at least 8 books individually/year.                  (Reading day every Friday; 1 book report each quarter)                                                        -will access and process information from reading.

            -will use note taking skills.

            B.  Writing

            -use of the five step writing process.                        (2 week intro + several projects)

            -will use several different writing styles to produce essays

            -will produce documents low in spelling errors.            (List on Monday; test on Friday)

            -use of proper grammar, usage, and mechanics.             (Every Tuesday.)

            -will keep an ongoing journal throughout the year.            (every 3 weeks)

            C.  Speaking:  Themed Speech                                    (3 weeks)

            -will create, present and critique an informative speech.

            -will develop strategies to write informatively.

            -will review the concepts of persuasive, expository, and narrative writing as well.

            -will develop effective and accurate researching skills

            E.  Write Traits:  Expand on practice of  6 Traits writing                                    (16 weeks)

            -will analyze the 6 traits of writing and apply different skills learned

            -will read sample writings to better model writing pieces.

V.  Course Resources

            Students in this class will be required and expected to use the following resources: 

                        -Classroom laptops for word processing, researching, and other productions.

                        -Independent reading material

                        -Supplementary material online and provided in class

VI.  Course Projects and Assessment Strategies

Book Reports - Students are required to complete at least two book reports per quarter.  These 8 books need to be chosen according to the Booklist provided.

Writing Pieces - Students are expected to publish several writing pieces in this class, but will draft many more.

Journaling - Students are expected to maintain and periodically turn in an ongoing journal.

Speech - Students are expected to write and present a speech on an approved topic.

Assessment - Students will be expected to participate in ongoing formative assessment, and to successfully complete a summative assessment following each unit, which requires the student to demonstrate their acquisition of unit standards and objectives.   

VII.  Evaluation Methodology and Scale

All course projects will be evaluated to determine the attainment of identified standards and objectives.  Project and major assignment evaluation will be based upon an established rubric, which identifies the targeted standards and objectives.  Successful completion requires a quality demonstration of all competencies.  Projects, tests, and major assignments will be given a letter grade to denote the level of achievement of the identified competencies.  Daily or practice work will be given a complete or incomplete grade. Late work significantly lowers the grade (50%).

The grading scale is as follows:

A = Quality work!  Attention is paid to neatness, detail, accuracy, and thoroughness.

B = Good work.  The basic requirements are attained, and some effort to go above and beyond is displayed.

C = Adequate work.  May be sloppy, undeveloped, and only attains the bare bone minimum of the assignment.

D = Low quality work.  Work that is turned in on time, but does not attain the expectation of the assignment.

F  = Unacceptable work.  Work not on time, or not worthy of a passing grade.

I  = In progress.  Work is incomplete.  An important element of the assignment is missing or the work is very low quality.  Needs to be redone.

Letter grades given out at the end of the quarter are based on the number of competencies achieved during the grading period.  Extended learning must be shown in the specific competencies covered in the grading period in order to achieve an “A” or a “B.”  Satisfactorily completing the assigned course work within the grading period equals a “C” or “D” grade.  Not completing the course work within the grading period equals an “F” grade.  Incomplete or “I” grades will he held only one week after the grading period ends before changing to an “F”, unless dictated through special, approved circumstances. 

VIII.  Classroom Rules and Expectations

 1.  Students are expected to be in their seats and checking the daily expectations on Edmodo when the class period starts, or they will be tardy.

2.  Students are expected to contribute positively to the learning environment.  Negative comments will not be allowed.  *Thumper Rule.

3.  Other students’ materials and other classes’ materials are off-limits in the classroom (especially multimedia composition)!

4.  If a student is absent, he or she is responsible for finding out from the teacher what the make-up assignment is.  Find this out before or after class. During class is a bad time because I will be busy teaching and you should be busy learning.

5. Students are expected to put forth their best effort in learning and demonstrating the course competencies. 

6.  Students are expected to show respect for the other students and the instructor at all times.

7.  Students may chew gum if it is not seen or heard.  One mishap ruins it for the whole class for the quarter, so help your neighbor out if he/she needs it.

8.  Students need to sit on all four legs of their chairs.

9.  No cell phones, ipods, wireless devices, headphones, etc. in class unless teacher directed or approved.

10.  You need to be dismissed by the teacher to leave the classroom.

11.  Substitute teachers will be treated with respect or the consequence is a minimum double discipline.