7 th Grade English Language Arts

1. 7th Grade English Language Arts Ms. Kathryn A. Hopkins khopkins@summithill.org 815.469.4330

2. About Me • Bachelors: DePaul University • Masters in Curriculum and Instruction: Saint Xavier University • LBS1 Endorsement: Saint Xavier University • 6th Year Teaching • 8th Year at Summit Hill Jr. High

3. About Mrs. Governale • Bachelors: Governors State University LBS1 Endorsement: University of St. Francis • 2nd Year teaching at Summit Hill Jr. High

4. About Mrs. Park • Bachelors: Lewis University • Masters in Teaching & Leadership: Lewis University • 9th Year teaching at Summit Hill Jr. High

5. Accelerated • Goal: Increase academic rigor as students transition into English 1 or Honors English 1 in high school. The writing and grammar expectations increase in this course. • Grade-level standards will be followed with the addition of a 4th quarter culminating project called a Passion Project. This may become a text extension or writing project linked to a higher Depth of Knowledge level. Students will present their projects at the conclusion of this unit. Some steps will take place within the classroom, while others will take place at home. Additional details about the Passion Project will be shared throughout the year.

6. Reading Content Prentice Hall’s Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Collections • The reading curriculum will consist of the literature text, independent reading, novels, and essays. • Tests, daily assignments, book reports, reading logs, Accelerated Reading Tests, etc. will be assigned throughout the year. • Reading logs every two weeks (200 minutes) • Accelerated Reading Project once a quarter Students are to have a novel with them AT ALL TIMES.

7. Books needed for class… • The Outsiders-S.E. Hinton • Chains-Laurie Halse Anderson • Chasing Lincoln’s Killer-James Swanson • To purchase Chasing Lincoln’s Killer, I have set up a classroom store on scholastic.com-parents-shop-scholastic reading club. • https://clubs2.scholastic.com/ • Our class access code is NCY28

8. Language Arts Content Prentice Hall’s Writing & Grammar: Communication in Action • The Language Arts curriculum will consist of the grammar textbook, Vocabulary Workshop workbook, writing assignments/essays, journal writing, and stem derivatives • Tests, daily assignments, essays, etc. will be assigned throughout the year. Point values for each will be announced beforehand. • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday students will use the vocabulary workshop books. • Tuesdays and Thursday students will work with stems derivatives, and/or a grammar lesson.

9. Stems • Tuesday/Thursday • 25 stems per list • Each list will be broken into fourths for the first few lists • Once the students get acclimated to their lists, the list size will be broken down into halves

10. Bell Ringers • Monday through Friday • Monday-Picture Prompts • Tuesday-Grammar Text Fail • Wednesday-Word Choice • Thursday-Video Journal • Friday-CNN 10 Response OR SSR • Students will engage in Bell Ringers every other week.

11. Grading Policy • All unfinished class work is automatically homework. • If a student is absent, it is he/she’s responsibility to get the work they missed and complete it upon return. • Homework/classwork (Formative) are 25% of grade. • Tests/Projects (Summative) are 75% of grade. • A-(100-90) • B-(89-80) • C-(79-70) • D-(69-60) • F-(59-50)

12. Behavioral Discipline Plan • Check Chart (Classroom behavior/Homework) • Check #1 verbal warning • Check #2 parent contact • Check #3 reflection • Check #4 detention • Begin each quarter with a clean slate • No checks by mid-quarter earns reward • PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) • Spartan Spirit

13. Reassessment Policy • A student has up to five days after the summative is handed back to complete a reassessment. • It is up to the student to request a summative re-assessment. • If a student misses a re-assessment without a legitimate reason (absence, nurse, called out from PE/Lunch), the student will not get an opportunity to re-assess​ • Re-assessments will not be considered unless the student completes the re-assessment plan. ​ • A reassessment is not an option unless all formatives have been turned in.​ • Your teacher does not have to accept formatives after the summative is complete. ​ • Reassessment format is up to teacher discretion. 

14. Resources for your child • Ms. Hopkins, Mrs. Governale, or Mrs. Park – Please encourage your child to talk to one of us and we’ll set up a time for me to help her/him before, during, or after school. • Study Hall- Teacher supervised in the library • Academic Behavioral Study Hall (ABS)- Monday through Friday during lunch (reassessments are completed here) • Website- www.summithill.org • SHJH • Teacher Pages • Hopkins • Homework assignments and upcoming assignments are posted weekly

15. REMINDER • Check website on a weekly basis: • Usually ready for viewing by Monday morning • Emails sent every Friday with weekly events