Edythe J. Hayes Middle School

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Mrs. Bonnie Michaels Mrs. Hope Benavides	Grade level/subject: 7^th Grade Language Arts
Email:   Bonnie.Michaels@fayette.kyschools.us Hope.Benavides@fayette.kyschools.us Phone: 381-4920 ext. 2312 or ext. 2313 My Web Page: http://staff.fcps.net/bmichaels	First Nine Weeks Note: this syllabus is subject to change during the course of learning.

Goals/Objectives

During the first nine weeks, students will:

            Read, analyze, and interpret various forms of poetry.

            Create various forms of poetry.

Review and enhance basic writing skills

Participate in PAS reading test

Learn and apply RAMPS and ROAR writing organizers, as well as a variety of graphic organizers to be used within

the writing process.

Text

Holt – Elements of Literature, by Holt, Rinehart and Winston 2007.

Holt – Grammar Handbook First Course

Vocabulary for Achievement

Numerous other relevant resources as well as guest speakers will be utilized as needed during the first nine weeks.

Grading

The grading and homework policies at Edythe J. Hayes Middle are designed to provide accurate assignment of grades with the intent to demonstrate a clear relationship between student performance and student learning. 

• Students’ grades are based on their performance in and out of class.  For each assignment, students earn points.  Remember, all work should be completed by the students.
• Throughout the course of the year, students will be engaged in learning through the following range of activities:

o Writing Workshop – Writing will be a crucial part of this year’s curriculum.  This class will practice mastery of all types of writing (transactive, personal/expressive, reflective, and literary (poetry)) in our weekly writing workshops.

o Journal, Open-Response, and On-Demand Writing – To enhance writing, students will follow prompts to complete journal entries, open-response questions, and on-demand writing assignments.  Combinations of these types of writing will be practiced weekly if not daily.

o Grammar Mini-Lessons – This class will focus on mastery of grammar skills to enrich student writing.  Grammar will be practiced weekly.  Note: Grammar worksheets will be given as homework to reinforce learning.

o Vocabulary Building – Vocabulary building and spelling will be an essential part of this year’s curriculum.  Vocabulary and spelling will be practiced and tested during each full week of school.

o Reading Program – Our school recognizes the importance of reading; therefore, students will become active readers.  Note: Reading will be completed both in and out of class.  Accelerated Reader (AR) will be used throughout the year.

Grading Scale

A   92 – 100          

B    91 – 83

C    82 – 74

D   73 – 65                        

F    64 and below

Make-up Work 

• Absences – Students may make-up work provided the work is completed within the allowed time period: one day for each excused day absent, plus one additional day.  It is the student’s responsibility to pick up make-up assignments, not the teacher’s.
• Late work will receive a 10% grade reduction when turned in the day after the due date.  Unless special circumstances apply, no work will be accepted beyond one day late.  If a child is absent on the due date of a project or pre-announced assignment, the project/pre-announced assignment is due the day the student returns to class.
• Daily assignments and homework can be viewed on the team’s website and by calling the team’s homework hotline at 381-4927.

AR Book Requirements

During the first nine weeks, each student is responsible for reading at least one individual AR book and completing the required AR quizzes.  In addition to the AR quizzes, students will be completing a reading log as well as completing a summer reading project.

First Nine Weeks Calendar

Below you will find a course calendar including important dates to remember.  In addition to the following, students will have a vocabulary/spelling test on the Friday of every full week of school; for example, students will not have a vocabulary test on Friday, September 5^th due to Labor Day on Monday, September 1^st.

Activity	Completion/Administration Date
First Day of School	August 13, 2008
No School! Records Day	August 22, 2008
Begin Poetry Unit /Poetry Pre-Test	August 18, 2008
No School! Labor Day	September 1, 2008
Mid-Term Ends	September 12, 2008
Mid-Term Reports Go Home	September 18
No School! Records Day	September 26, 2008
Literacy Night Project Due!	October 8, 2008
Summer Reading Project Due	October 8, 2008
End of the First Nine Weeks	October 14, 2008
Report Cards Go Home	October 22, 2008

Supplies

• 5 Journal Composition Books
• Notebook with loose leaf paper/ any color any size just bring it to class each day!
• Paper/pencils (may use mechanical pencils)
• Access to Dictionary & Thesaurus at home
• Suggested: Flash/Jump Drive

Class Constitution

See the attached sheet containing our Class Constitution, Citizens’ Responsibilities, and Classroom Rules and Expectations.  This sheet must be signed by both the student and the parent/guardian and returned to class for a homework grade.

Contact

Parent conferences are scheduled through our team leader, Mrs. Hope Benavides.  However, if you have a specific question or comment regarding language arts, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Your questions, comments, and ideas are always welcome.  I look forward to a great year!