7th Grade Honors English Course Syllabus Mrs. Prentice

Transcription

1 7th Grade Honors English Course Syllabus Mrs. Prentice Course Description Seventh grade honors English is a one-year course that will consist heavily of writing, reading, and grammar at an accelerated rate. We will be writing a variety of compositions as well as studying several different types of genre from our literature book Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes. We will also be reading Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol and Jack London s gripping novel, The Call of the Wild. Additionally, each student will conduct a research project discovering and promoting a marvel of Michigan. This project will culminate in a persuasive oral presentation. Honors students will also complete several independent book projects including a biography project and a literary critique. This advanced level course also includes a vocabulary enhancement program called Vocabulary Workshop. Honors Courses Expectations Honors courses at the middle school are meant to be more rigorous and challenging for students. Learning is the focus, but expectations and the responsibility of the student are important. Students may expect to be challenged in traditional and new ways. Courses will entail extra reading and writing throughout the year. Participation in class discussions is imperative. Instructor Information Education Mona Shores Graduate B.A. from Calvin College, English and US History M.A.T. Marygrove College, Masters in the Art of Teaching Contact prenticb@monashores.net Phone: ex Blog: Planning Hour: 3 rd Hour 9:51-10:49 (Wed. 10:50-11:35) Room 15 My classroom blog will have information on course assignments, due dates, writing contests, frequently asked questions and announcements. It will be updated on a weekly basis.

2 Course Objectives Suggested Materials The students will continue practicing reading strategies for better comprehension. The students will learn to respond to reading by using literary terms including theme, plot, conflict, setting, characterization, irony, foreshadowing, and point of view. The students will continue to practice the writing process. The students will learn how to further organize a paragraph including a topic sentence with supporting detail and a conclusion. The students will learn how to organize an essay including an introduction, body, and conclusion. The students will continue to use and identify the 8 parts of speech. The students will practice using quotation marks in dialogue and titles. The students will locate and use sources for researching a particular topic. The students will create note cards by paraphrasing, make source cards, and create an outline. The students will practice speaking in front of his/her peers. The student will enrich his or her vocabulary through our vocabulary workshop studies. Prentice Hall Literature Book (supplied, but covered at all times) Vocabulary Workshop Book Lined paper (no spirals) Pens or pencils, and a red pen One 2 inch 3-ring binder with dividers 100 index cards (second semester) Flashdrive (recommended) Notebook sections: Warm ups, Writing, Reading, Grammar Homework Assignments are expected to be handed in on time Late work will receive a grade no higher than 50%. Proper heading to be used (upper left corner) First and last name Hour Assignment Date

3 Work that is illegible will not be accepted. Some assignments will be given a credit/no credit grade. An X on the student viewer will indicate this. Do not discard any work unless told otherwise. Absences and Tardiness Grading Scale You are expected to be in your seat with all required materials at the time class starts. If you are not, you will receive a tardy. If you are absent on the day a test is given or a project is due, you will be expected to take the test or turn in the project on the day you return to class. Upon returning to school following an absence, you are expected to check for any homework you missed. Consult the following resources: Mrs. Prentice s blog: the back board in the room, or a classmate. You have two days per day missed to complete any homework assignments A B D A C D B C D B C F Class Participation Requirements A= regular attendance, prepared for discussions, active listener B= regular attendance, occasional input, good listener C= occasionally absent, often unprepared, distracted D= frequently absent, unprepared, not part of classroom activities Class Expectations Come to class on time and be prepared with materials (writing utensil, paper, notebook, homework, vocabulary workshop book) Respect all people and property Assume responsibility for your own actions Read and follow all MSMS handbook policies

4 Vocabulary Workshop The honors language arts course aims to challenge students through consistent vocabulary studies. The Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop is a leading program that has proven to help students expand their vocabularies for oral and written use. This program is also implemented in the high school honors courses and is intended to help students prepare for standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT. These workbooks will be provided to the students free of charge. It is expected that honors students will stay on top of our vocabulary workshop units through daily independent study. Quizzes will assess students competency of each unit. Name: Hour: Please sign and return the bottom portion of the syllabus after reading and discussing the syllabus with your child. Please return to Mrs. Prentice by. Student Signature: Parent /Guardian Signature: Parent

5