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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 7 TH GRADERS RULES 1. Respect yourself and others. 2. Be prompt and begin work immediately. 3. Be prepared. 4. Put forth your best effort. REQUIREMENTS 1. One single subject notebook per class. 2. Blue/black pens and pencils- we recommend mechanical pencils 3. One box of tissues handed into the homeroom teacher the first week of school. 4. 10 pocket folders ( per year) 5. Book covers no adhesive covers, book sox recommended 6. Chromebook charged with power cord as backup PROCEDURES 1. Class begins when you enter the room and ends when the TEACHER dismisses you. 2. Be ready for instruction when the bell rings. 3. Planners must be brought to EVERY class EVERY day. Copy assignments into planners before the bell rings. 4. Chromebooks must be brought to EVERY class EVERY day it is the student s responsibility to charge their Chromebook each night. 5. Notebooks/Journals/Planners will be evaluated periodically. 6. Substandard work will not be accepted. 7. All assignments must be turned in on the due date. LATE assignments will be accepted 1 day after the due date and will be marked down 50%. 8. No food, beverages, or gum permitted in classrooms. 2
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY All students are to be held to a high level of academic integrity. Plagiarized assignments will receive a zero. Plagiarized assignments include (and are not limited to) copying another student s homework assignments, knowingly allowing one s work to be copied by another student, and taking ideas/words from a book or internet source without citations. Each teacher will set their rules of conduct for testing. Any violation of these rules could result in a zero or at least some loss of credit based on the seriousness of the violation. CALCULATORS Students are required to have a calculator for Math. The school recommends the Casio fx-300ms scientific calculator. If you cannot purchase one, students may sign out a calculator from their Math teacher for the school year. The student and a parent must sign a letter agreeing to return the calculator at the end of the year in good condition or to pay the replacement cost for the calculator if it is not returned or is returned in poor condition EXTRA CREDIT There are no individual extra credit assignments. All teachers offer their classes opportunities to earn extra credit at different times throughout the marking periods. LATE WORK Homework, projects and assignments are due on their assigned dates. Half credit will be given to work turned in one day late. After one day, a zero will be given for the assignment. To help ease the transition to 7 th grade late work will be accepted for the first half of the first marking period with no penalty. During the second half of the first marking period the late policy will take effect and be strictly enforced. If a student is absent due to illness, the student or parent can check google classroom to get daily homework assignments. Long term assignments or projects are due the day a student returns. 3
If a student is absent due to an extended illness, they must meet with each teacher upon their return and arrange a schedule to complete any missed work or tests. If a student fails to complete the missed work or tests by the scheduled dates, they will receive a zero for the assignments or tests. If a student will be absent due to a pre-planned family vacation, parents or guardians should contact the school attendance office in advance. The student will receive an assignment sheet which must be completed by each of their teachers. The work will be due upon the student s return or on assigned dates. Arrangements must also be made immediately upon the student s return to make up any missed tests. If a student fails to complete the work or tests by the assigned dates, they will receive a zero. LOCKERS You will have a locker partner. Choose someone you can trust to respect your things. Don t give your locker combination to anyone people will steal your stuff. Practice over the summer using a master lock. Don t leave your locker open or rigged to stay open because people will take your things. You can decorate inside your locker a magnetic mirror is great. Keep your locker neat it s easier to find things. Clean your locker out once a month so it doesn t get out of control. Learn your combination or your locker partner will get annoyed if you ask for their help all the time. You may use your locker in between all of your classes, as long as you are not late to class. You WILL NOT be allowed to go to your locker during classes so make sure you have all of your materials with you. NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION You need a one subject notebook for each class. Don t mix notes in a notebook you lose points on your notebook grade. Keep a separate notebook for writing to your friends. Take good notes you get a grade on them. Date your notebook entries. Write neatly so you can read your notes. Many of your class assignments will be kept electronically on your Chromebooks make sure you create folders for each of your classes and keep assignments in those folders. 4
PLANNERS Keep your planner with you all the time. It contains school rules, discipline policy, dress code, calendars, time schedules, etc. Record all assignments daily and block out time for long term assignments. Some teachers give you planner quizzes so always have your planner with you. Keep your planner neat so you can read it. Your planner is your pass for the lavatory, nurse, and lockers. Don t lose your planner it costs $5.00 for a new one. TEXTBOOKS Each teacher will issue every student a textbook in September. The students are to cover the textbooks and keep them in good condition throughout the school year. At the end of the school year, the textbooks will be collected and fines will be issued for any damage to the book or for the cost to replace the book if it is not returned. CHROMEBOOKS Students will be issued a Chromebook, power cord, and cover at the beginning of the year. Students are expected to keep their Chromebook in its case at all times. At the end of the year the Chromebooks will be collected and fines will be issued for any damage or for the cost to replace the Chromebook if it is not returned. Students will receive the same Chromebook the following year the better you take care of your Chromebook the longer it will last. A good idea is to add a tag or ribbon to your Chromebook so you can tell it apart from your neighbors. You may not put stickers on the Chromebook or case however if you buy a hard cover for your Chromebook you may decorate that as you wish. You may customize your Chromebook just be sure everything is school appropriate. Your usage of the Chromebook will be monitored violating school rules can lead to the loss of your Chromebook such as playing games in class. 5
7 th GRADE PAPER FORMAT Title 7 th Grade team 9/1/06 Per. 0 Paper Format Proper heading: Name, date, Period Assignment The seventh grade team has established a uniform format for all major papers. All major assignments should follow this example unless otherwise stated by the teacher. Students will be researching for their assignments in the school library, classroom, and independently. In order to use the computers at the school parents and students must sign and return the Computer Use Form. It is also imperative that students write down their password and ID number. The teachers do not have this information, Indent and without it, students will not be able to access the internet in the library or classroom. Papers should be typed using Times New Roman 12 point font. Papers should be double spaced, and paragraphs should be indented. This format will be used in all of their classes, and is the same format used in the upper grades as well. By starting this format now, students will become accustomed to it as they see more formal and detailed assignments. The school library is available before and after To double space: go to FORMAT, PARAGRAPH, LINE school to type and print SPACING, papers. and click on Students double can save their papers to their own directory and print when they have completed the assignment. 6
The Audubon Public Library also has computers available for student assignments. Most of the assignments will follow a three or five paragraph model. The first paragraph introduced the topic and provides general or background information. The body of the paper should include one to three paragraphs. Each paragraph should address a specific example to support your main topic. Although the length of the assignment can vary, three examples are usually sufficient to support your point. Each example usually warrants its own paragraph: three examples =three paragraphs. Each paragraph is usually five to seven sentences long. Finally, the conclusion should sum up your position. Before you hand in your assignment, always double check the rubric and proofread the assignment. Spell check is a great tool to use but may not catch every spelling or grammar error double check your work. By using this format, students will succeed in their assignments in seventh grade, and be prepared for the following years. 7
SAMPLE ASSIGNMENTS SOCIAL STUDIES AND SCIENCE ASSIGNMENT Your Name (first and last) 9/15/06 Per. 2 p. 9 Questions 1, 2 Date, Per. 1. Geography is the study of the earth. People who study geography ask two questions: Where are things located? And why are they there? 2. The five themes of geography can help you organize information and provide a format for studying geography. The five themes of geography are: location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region. Note: All work questions is done are in complete; the sentences. assignment All is turned questions in time are complete; the assignment and is legible. is turned in on time and is legible. Jane Dowell 6/15/06 Math p. 83 2 8 even Heading First and Last Name Assignment Note: All work is done in complete sentences. All MATH ASSIGNMENT 2. x + 3 = 19 4. 3 x - 5 = 16-3 - 3 + 5 + 5 X = 16 3x = 21 3 3 6. y = - 5 8. x = 24 2-5 * Note: all work must be shown to receive full credit. 8
LANGUAGE ARTS STUDY GUIDE RESPONSE 1. In Freak the Mighty, describe the relationship between Max and his father. Max is afraid of his father. Max saw his father Killer Kane strangle his mother to death. When his father abducts Max he tries to tell Max that his grandparents poisoned his mind against him. When Killer Kane is strangling Lynetta, Max yells at his father telling him that he saw him kill his mother, and that he remembers everything that happened. He tries to stop his father from hurting Lynetta. After he is rescued, he is afraid but is ready to testify against his dad. *Note: answers are in complete sentences and provide details from the story. SUGGESTIONS FROM FORMER STUDENTS Classes Come prepared and pay attention. Get A s in each marking period and on the midterm and you ll be exempt for the final. If I had it to do over again, I would be more focused on schoolwork. It will be a lot easier if you work hard from the very beginning. Bring lots of pencils. Sleep at home. Procrastination is a poor choice, even if it s easier. Keep organized. It s easier to find places in the building, so don t worry about it. Stay away from 7 th grade drama. There is no pool or anything else that you need passes for so don t buy passes from upperclassmen. It s a joke. Don t be lazy and skip school. If you miss too many days, they will fail you for the year. Try to collect all the Collazzo cash and science gold cards you can. They help. Don t be scared of the older kids. 9
Reputation Always be good for the start of the year. You don t want a bad impression on your first day. I should have behaved from the very start because you don t want to develop a bad reputation. You can never get rid of that. You don t want to be in a group who has a bad reputation or problems. Getting into the wrong group of friends might set your whole year into trouble. You ll get labeled and for your whole high school career you ll be labeled like that. Just make sure you make the right choices for you. It s your life, not someone else s. If I were to do 7 th grade again, I would ve hung out with the right friends. It would have made my year so much easier. Gym classes In gym, don t be afraid to change. Well it s normal to worry about people looking at you, but we know they aren t judging you. Pick a gym locker with friends you feel comfortable with. General Treat other people with respect. Just enjoy 7 th grade. Do well you get rewarded for it. Work hard at everything. Don t slack off because if you fail, you ll be in 7 th grade twice. It was a fun year. A good way to pass 7 th grade without even thinking of failing is to do all your homework and do you best on tests. But you have to do your homework. Work hard. Trust me, it s worth it. Seventh grade will be the best year of your life. Pay attention in class. Don t let silly things like drama get in the way. The smallest things here count. Just remember this is a great and fun place to be so don t be intimidated by the older kids. They are friendly and nice. 10
HOMEWORK TIPS Help Your Student Get the Most Out of Homework Homework. Many students try to avoid it, but teaching and learning research indicates that children who spend more time on regularly assigned, meaningful homework, on average, do better in school, and that the academic benefits of homework increase as children move into the upper grades. Parents and families play an important role in the process. Together, families and teachers can help children develop good study habits and attitudes to become lifelong learners. On this page you'll find answers to questions many people have about homework, as well as specific advice for helping your children. Why do teachers give homework? Teachers use homework: to help students understand and review the work that has been covered in class to see whether students understand the lesson to help students learn how to find and use more information on a subject. Homework is also the link between school and home that shows what children are studying. Research shows that when homework is turned in to the teacher, graded, and discussed with students, it can improve students' grades and understanding of their schoolwork. 11
How much time should my children spend each night on homework? Most educators agree that: for children in grades K-2, homework is more effective when it does not exceed 10-20 minutes each school day older children, in grades 3-6, can handle 30-60 minutes a day in junior and senior high school, the amount of homework will vary by subject. Most older students will also have homework projects, such as research papers and oral reports, that may have deadlines weeks away. They may need help organizing assignments and planning work times to make sure homework is ready to turn in on time. Your children's teachers can tell you how much time they expect students to spend on homework. Place most concern on whether the homework is meaningful and whether over a period homework is assigned in all of the student's subjects. Ask your principal if your school or school district has a homework policy. If it does, make sure that you and your children know and understand that policy. How can I help with homework? There are several ways in which you can help: Send your children to school each day, wellrested, fed and with a positive outlook. Take an active interest in your children's schooling. Ask specific questions about what happens at school each day and how your children feel about it. 12
Try not to let any of your own negative experiences keep you from supporting and encouraging your children's learning. Let them know how much you care about education by continuing your own learning both informally and formally, to impress its importance upon them. If possible, set up a quiet, comfortable study area with good lighting and the school supplies that your children need. This can be almost anyplace in your home; you don't need a special room. Set a family "quiet time" where you and your children can work together on homework, reading, letter writing and playing games. Allow your children to study in the way each of them learns best. For example, some children work best when they're lying on the floor with background music playing. Make homework a daily activity and help your children develop good homework habits. Can my children do homework while listening to music or watching television? Some students can work with a radio or stereo on, while others must work in silence. Television can be a big problem. Many teachers ask that the television be turned off while children are doing homework. Research shows that American children on average spend far more time watching television than they do completing homework. Although it's worth noting that television can be a learning tool, it's best to leave the television off during homework time. 13
How much help should I give? This depends on each child's grade level and study habits. Younger students often need extra homework help. First, make sure the child understands the directions. Do a few problems together, and then watch your child do a few. When your child is finished, check the work. Praise right answers, and show how to correct mistakes. Avoid doing your children's homework for them. Teachers need to see where your children are having trouble. One of the most helpful things you can do is to show your children that you think homework is important. Many children today do their homework while their parents are at work. When you are at home, ask to see your children's homework and discuss it with them. Ask questions and be supportive. What if I don't understand my child's assignment? Today's students may have subjects that you never had or that you didn't like when you were in school. You can still help your children by praising their progress, getting help from a public library or homework hotline, and talking with their teachers. You don't have to be an expert in a subject to help with homework. There are many places to go for help. Do teachers really want me to ask them questions about homework? Teachers want children to learn and want parents and families to be involved in their children's education. When you stay in touch with your children's teachers, they can ease your worries and offer their own homework tips and ideas on how you can help your children learn. Meet each of your children's teachers 14
and ask what kind of homework will be given. This is very important, even if you have children in junior or senior high school. Early in the school year and on occasion, ask teachers about your children's subjects and about homework policies. For example, ask what books your children will be using, what kinds of assignments will be given, and when the teacher is available to answer questions. One of my children tries hard but still has problems with homework. What can I do to help? There could be a number of reasons for your child's trouble. Suggest that the child ask the teacher for extra help before or after school. Tell your child it's good to ask the teacher about homework or anything else he or she doesn't understand. Set a time to meet with the teacher to discuss the problem. You may need to meet again during the year to check on how your child is doing. If your child understands the work but is still having trouble, ask for a meeting with the teacher. The two of you should work out a plan to meet your child's needs. My child seems bored by homework. Is this normal? It's normal for students not to want to do their homework. But if your child always seems bored or unhappy, you need to try to find out the reason by talking with your child. Then talk with the teacher to come up with a solution. Teachers want students to learn from homework. Tell the teacher if your child thinks the homework is too easy or too hard. This will help the teacher match homework with student ability and maturity levels. 15
When I ask my children if they have homework, they say that it's finished or that they don't have any. How do I make sure they're really doing their work? Make studying - not just homework - a daily habit. Students can always review lessons, read a book, or work on practice exercises during quiet time, even if they don't have homework. Ask younger children to show you their homework so that you can check it, sign it, and date it. Teachers like to see that adults have checked children's homework. If your children's school has a homework hotline, call it to check for the day's assignments. If your children often have no homework to do, you should let their teachers know. Don't ask your children if they have homework each night assume that they always have homework or studying to do. What if my child still isn't turning homework in? State clearly and assertively to your child that you expect homework to be done and turned in to the teacher. Let your child know you will not tolerate irresponsible behavior about homework. Don't wait until grades come out to find out if the problem has been solved. You may need weekly contact with the teacher until the student develops new habits. Should I reward my children for doing homework or for getting good grades? Children like to know when they've done a good job. Your approval means a lot. Praise your children's work often. Show pride when your children do their best, no matter what grades they get. 16
Be careful about giving money or gifts as rewards. Most teachers want parents to reward students' work in other ways. The next time your child does a good job on a school project, plan a special family activity as a reward. Homework Hints Assume that your children will have studying to do every night. Ask your children if they understand their homework. If they do not, work a few examples together. Ask your children to show you their homework after the teacher returns it, to learn where they're having trouble and where they're doing well. See if your children did the work correctly. Stay in touch with your children's teachers. Ask about their classes and what they are studying. Ask their teachers how you can support what they are studying (flash cards, spelling, etc.). Remember, you and their teachers want the same thing to help your children learn. Don't be afraid to get in touch with the teacher if you and your child don't understand an assignment or if your child is having a great deal of trouble. Almost all parents run into these problems, and teachers are glad to help. Don't do your children's work for them. Help them learn how to do it themselves. Show your children that you think homework is important. If you are at work during homework time, ask to see their work when you get home. Praise your children for doing well. Make praise a habit. 17
Maintain a portfolio of "best pieces." Ask your school about tips or guides for helping your children develop good study habits. Help older students organize their assignments by recording them on calendars or planners, along with due dates, dates turned in, etc. *** 18