Course Syllabus

Pacific Collegiate School

7th Grade English Syllabus 2017-2018

 

Teacher: Ms. Kenia / Ms. Roth

Email: kenia.goicochea@pcscharter.org / andrea.roth@pcscharter.org

Office Hours: Room 233, Thursday Tutorial/Lunch

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In conjunction with 7th grade American History, this course focuses on American Literature spanning from the American Civil War to contemporary social justice and political topics. Students will explore themes centered around tolerance, diversity, inclusion, courage, and justice. Through a wide range of literary genres, students will strive to better understand the way in which monumental leaders, movements, events, and moments in history have influenced our world today. Additionally, the course will focus on building a strong foundation in critical thinking skills, reading comprehension strategies, the writing process, vocabulary development, and grammar usage.  Also present is a continued focus on the development of listening and speaking skills through the Socratic method, public speaking, and collaborative learning groups.

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• Sadlier Vocabulary Workbook- Level C
• Exercises in English- Level G

• Assigned novel & Independent Reading Text

• English section of a 3-ring binder
• 1 Spiral notebook for lectures, Writing Composition, and Language Arts
• 1 Composition notebook for journaling & Creative Writing
• Blue, black pen, red Pens
• Colored pencils & markers
• Pencil(s) and eraser
• 3-5 Highlighters (different colors)
• 3 packs of Sticky Notes (preferably 2”x2” or larger)

CLASS REQUIREMENTS: Regular attendance is the most important requirement of all!

• Use class time well.
• Submit all assignments in a timely fashion.
• Show respect for self, others, and school property at all times.
• Be conscientious of volume, language, and tone.
• Be active, prepared, and engaged in all class activities.
• Display a positive, helpful, cooperative, and growth-minded attitude.
• Maintain responsible independent reading habits.
• Ask for help and feedback. Take the initiative during Tutorial to study, review absent work, make-up work, and gain individualized tutoring or feedback on student performance.
• Stay organized. Keep a neat notebook & binder.  Autonomously record lecture and discussion notes, key coursework/components, and review material.
• Follow all MLA Format requirements & Turnitin.com for polished written submissions.

 

LANGUAGE CONVENTIONS

• Writing: Students will be given a myriad of writing tasks to build a strong foundation for their high school years at PCS. Each unit will include a writing assignment, including, but not limited to: Personal Essays, Creative Writing, Literature Analysis, and Multi-paragraph Essays (expository, analytical, persuasive, comparison/contrast, research, etc.)
• Portfolio: Each student will create a digital writing portfolio which they will continue to develop over the course of their time at PCS. In addition to publishing polished writing assignments, students will set writing goals, and reflect through self assessments to measure growth and progress.  
• Vocabulary & Grammar:  Students will be responsible for weekly assignments to prepare for objective vocabulary and spelling tests. Vocabulary and spelling will be assigned predominantly from the assigned Sadlier-Oxford vocabulary workbook (Vocabulary Workshop: Level C). Additional vocabulary may be integrated from course studies. Students will take notes, complete exercises and assessments, to build upon prior knowledge and focus on the mastery of parts of speech, punctuation, sentence structure, diction, and syntax.

 

INDEPENDENT READING:

• Students will be required to read one book per grading period (approximately six weeks) and complete companion reading assignments. TAKE NOTE: these will be collected and graded by your English teacher, AND used with projects related to Study Skills. Must complete before deadline for full credit.

 

UNEXCUSED/EXCUSED ABSENCES:

• Upon arrival from an excused or unexcused absence, students are responsible for following up with the instructor to make arrangements for missing work. For every school day missed, the student will have the same amount of time to make up work.  Make-Up work will not be completed during class time, unless arranged specifically with instructor. If the student fails to make arrangements with instructor or submit assignments in the allotted time frame, the student will receive a zero on the assignment.  

 

LATE WORK POLICY:

• All assignments must be completed and submitted at the start of every class.  Late assignments will result in a 10% reduction of point value for every day missing. In order to avoid point reduction, students must make an arrangement with the instructor for an extension 24 hours prior to the due date.  

 

TECHNOLOGY GUIDELINES: (See Student Handbook)

• Google Docs, Google Drive, and Canvas will be utilized consistently and effectively for the majority of written responses, inquiry based research, group projects, peer revisions, and all polished assignments. All assignments must be shared with janelle.silva@pcscharter.org for drafting, review, and final submission.  Non-academic use of the Google Docs will not be tolerated. Unauthorized or improper use of technology will result in immediate disciplinary action and a zero on the assignment.

 

CELL PHONES/DEVICES:

• Students are encouraged to bring ear-buds/headphones for quiet independent study times.  Cell phones need to remain away at all times, unless given permission directly from the teacher.  However, if the device is interfering with the learning process, the privilege will be taken away.

 

PLAGIARISM POLICY AND TURNITIN.COM:

• All final polished essays will be submitted to turnitin.com. Violations to the plagiarism policy as outlined in the Student Handbook will result in a zero on the assignment as well as disciplinary action.

 

WEIGHTED GRADING SYSTEM: Homework 20%             Writing 20% Projects/Classwork 20%             Participation 10% Tests/Quizzes 30%