Syllabus for Language Arts
Ms. Ross
(408) 923-1955 ext. 4805
[email protected]
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey
Welcome! An exciting and challenging curriculum awaits us in the days ahead. Middle School Language Arts is the forum for students to explore different perspectives and to understand the past, present, and future through literature and writing. By reading various types of literature and engaging in activities that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), students will enhance their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills throughout the year.
The CCSS were developed to make sure that by the time students graduate from high school, they are college- and career-ready. This is a very exciting time as we venture through these new, more rigorous standards with a focus on the following:
* speaking and listening in academic discussions
* reading complex texts with comprehension
* writing arguments with evidence
* the 4 C's: communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking
Classroom Guidelines:
• Arrive to class on time and ready to work.
• Immediately complete “First Tasks.”
• Complete and turn in all assignments on time.
• Respect each other's opinions, space, and belongings.
• Treat the classroom with respect; keep it neat and clean.
• Be brave enough to take risks, make mistakes, and try something new or difficult.
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated. You must present your thoughts in your own words.
• No cell phones, hats, gums, food, or drinks allowed (except water).
• You get 3 bathroom passes per semester. Unused passes = extra credit at end of semester.
Discipline Plan:
1) Verbal reminder
2) Phone call home and possible detention
3) Referral, parents and principal contacted
4) Meeting with student, teacher, parents, and principal
Grade Breakdown and Policy:
– Homework (assigned daily)
– Weekly Roots/Grammar/Literary Terms/Vocabulary
– Notebook Assignments
– Daily Work / Class Participation (includes group work)
– Essays (multiple genres)
– Projects (creative extensions of literature and writing assignments, including speeches, artwork, performances, etc.)
– Tests / Quizzes
Where can I find homework assignments and test/quiz dates?
1) classroom homework whiteboard
2) your child's Time Tracker (their responsibility)
3) my website: ross-languagearts.weebly.com
Where can I find my child's grades?
1) Infinite Campus (updated frequently)
2) your child's Language Arts binder – page D
Grading Scale:
A+ to A- = 100% – 90%
B+ to B- = 89% – 80%
C+ to C- = 79% – 70%
D+ to D- = 69% – 60%
F = Below 59%
Attendance:
Students who miss class must make up ALL work that they missed. The student is allowed the number of days they were absent to make up the work. It is the student's responsibility to obtain missed notes and assignments, and to reschedule any make-up tests/quizzes with the teacher upon returning to school. It is highly recommended that students exchange contact information in case of an absence. Any papers passed out during class will be put in a folder for the absent student.
Late Work:
Any late work will result in a percentage deduction, and ultimately in a lower grade. Late final drafts of essays and projects will be reduced by 10% for each day late. A parent/guardian will be contacted, as well. Students will be encouraged to maintain healthy homework habits, which will transfer into healthy work habits later in their adult lives.
Language Arts Supplies:
¨ Single-subject spiral notebook (ONLY for Language Arts)
¨ Several pencils (mechanical preferred; bring plenty of lead)
¨ Erasers
¨ Steady supply of college-ruled binder paper ¨ Glue stick and/or tape
¨ Three-ring binder (not just for L.A.) ¨ Time Tracker
¨ One package of index cards ¨ 2 HOLT textbooks
¨ A few pens (blue, black, and/or red) (literature & grammar handbook)
¨ High-liters and colored markers and/or pencils
¨ Backpack (no purses)
Ms. Ross
(408) 923-1955 ext. 4805
[email protected]
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey
Welcome! An exciting and challenging curriculum awaits us in the days ahead. Middle School Language Arts is the forum for students to explore different perspectives and to understand the past, present, and future through literature and writing. By reading various types of literature and engaging in activities that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), students will enhance their reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills throughout the year.
The CCSS were developed to make sure that by the time students graduate from high school, they are college- and career-ready. This is a very exciting time as we venture through these new, more rigorous standards with a focus on the following:
* speaking and listening in academic discussions
* reading complex texts with comprehension
* writing arguments with evidence
* the 4 C's: communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking
Classroom Guidelines:
• Arrive to class on time and ready to work.
• Immediately complete “First Tasks.”
• Complete and turn in all assignments on time.
• Respect each other's opinions, space, and belongings.
• Treat the classroom with respect; keep it neat and clean.
• Be brave enough to take risks, make mistakes, and try something new or difficult.
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated. You must present your thoughts in your own words.
• No cell phones, hats, gums, food, or drinks allowed (except water).
• You get 3 bathroom passes per semester. Unused passes = extra credit at end of semester.
Discipline Plan:
1) Verbal reminder
2) Phone call home and possible detention
3) Referral, parents and principal contacted
4) Meeting with student, teacher, parents, and principal
Grade Breakdown and Policy:
– Homework (assigned daily)
– Weekly Roots/Grammar/Literary Terms/Vocabulary
– Notebook Assignments
– Daily Work / Class Participation (includes group work)
– Essays (multiple genres)
– Projects (creative extensions of literature and writing assignments, including speeches, artwork, performances, etc.)
– Tests / Quizzes
Where can I find homework assignments and test/quiz dates?
1) classroom homework whiteboard
2) your child's Time Tracker (their responsibility)
3) my website: ross-languagearts.weebly.com
Where can I find my child's grades?
1) Infinite Campus (updated frequently)
2) your child's Language Arts binder – page D
Grading Scale:
A+ to A- = 100% – 90%
B+ to B- = 89% – 80%
C+ to C- = 79% – 70%
D+ to D- = 69% – 60%
F = Below 59%
Attendance:
Students who miss class must make up ALL work that they missed. The student is allowed the number of days they were absent to make up the work. It is the student's responsibility to obtain missed notes and assignments, and to reschedule any make-up tests/quizzes with the teacher upon returning to school. It is highly recommended that students exchange contact information in case of an absence. Any papers passed out during class will be put in a folder for the absent student.
Late Work:
Any late work will result in a percentage deduction, and ultimately in a lower grade. Late final drafts of essays and projects will be reduced by 10% for each day late. A parent/guardian will be contacted, as well. Students will be encouraged to maintain healthy homework habits, which will transfer into healthy work habits later in their adult lives.
Language Arts Supplies:
¨ Single-subject spiral notebook (ONLY for Language Arts)
¨ Several pencils (mechanical preferred; bring plenty of lead)
¨ Erasers
¨ Steady supply of college-ruled binder paper ¨ Glue stick and/or tape
¨ Three-ring binder (not just for L.A.) ¨ Time Tracker
¨ One package of index cards ¨ 2 HOLT textbooks
¨ A few pens (blue, black, and/or red) (literature & grammar handbook)
¨ High-liters and colored markers and/or pencils
¨ Backpack (no purses)