Mrs. Sofield
2010-2011
Room M101
7th Grade English
Course Description
This class will include study in the areas of grammar, vocabulary, literature, and writing skills. Students will have a vocabulary workbook and a grammar workbook. Literature books will be used in class and may come home to allow completion of a reading assignment.
Grading:
Daily grades will be given in the following areas: homework completion, Daily Oral Language), vocabulary cards, and in-class assignments. (20% of grading period grade)
Quizzes may be announced or unannounced. DOL quizzes will be given about every four weeks. Language and literature quizzes will be scheduled based on completion of their respective materials. (20% of grading period grade)
Tests will be announced at least one week ahead of time and will be used to measure your understanding of the material we have studied. Generally, there will be a vocabulary test every other Friday. (40% of grading period grade)
We will have two semester projects. The first semester each student will work on creating an autobiography. The second semester each student will write a research paper in combination with the history fair. There will be due dates for sections of each project. There will be a parent signature page as we reach each due date. Both of these projects will earn two project grades. Monthly outside reading will also be included as projects for grading purposes. Other projects will be assigned in conjunction with our curriculum. (20% of grading period grade)
Bonus points can be earned throughout each grading period. Students who accumulate bonus points may replace low grades as follows:
100 bonus points = one seatwork grade
200 bonus points = one quiz grade
300 bonus points = one project grade
400 bonus points = one test grade
Note to parents: You will be able to see your student’s grade on the web site. Please be sure to check and see how well your student is doing. If you do not have access to the web site, please ask and I will update you on your student’s progress.
Homework:
The purpose of homework is to reinforce the material we have been covering in class. Homework is usually corrected in class and should be used to reveal any area(s) of weakness. I will be available to give additional help when that becomes necessary. I am usually available during homeroom study hall or after school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please come and ask for help when you feel you need it; I want to help!
Classroom Procedures and Policies:
The attendance policy is laid out in the handbook.
Students are expected to be in their seats and ready to work when the tardy bell rings.
I will ask students to respond with a yes or no when taking attendance to check homework completion. A student is prepared for class when they have all their materials (English books, binder, writing utensil, agenda, paper, homework).
DOL should be completed on the hand out and turned in at the end of class each Friday. Unless absent, a student should have ten corrected sentences each week. The DOL quizzes cover the concepts in the practice sentences.
Students must have their first and last name on all assignments. Assignments need to be handed in on time. Late work will receive a grade of zero. In the case of absence, homework is due when you return. Check with me to see what you missed while you were absent.
Tests or quizzes missed due to absence need to be made up in a timely fashion. Please refer to the handbook for these guidelines. Make-up tests should be completed in testing hall.
Classroom Management:
I expect our student to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion both inside and outside the classroom. For the most part, students need to raise their hands and wait to be called on to speak. There are times in this class that I will not require students to raise their hands to speak, but at all times I expect them to be respectful of others. There must be only one person speaking at a time, while the others listen. I will not tolerate any form of harassment of other students.
At all times students must be respectful of the teacher, of other students giving a presentation in front of the class, and of any guests to our class.
Verbal warnings will be given to students, but not continually. A call home will come with a final verbal warning. After that a written warning will be issued, then a workcrew given. Other disciplinary procedures may be implemented as necessary in order to create a positive and enjoyable classroom environment.
I count it a privilege to work with each of you as we study together and you grow in wisdom, stature, favor with God, and favor with man. You can reach me through the middle school office at 892-8223. If you need to reach me after school, you may call me before 9:00 P.M. at home (899-4967).