Welcome to Language Arts!

1. Welcome to Language Arts! Mrs. Terry, Grades 7-8 2010-2011

2. Important Information amy.terry@dvusd.org • E-mail is my preferred method of contact. I answer e-mails twice daily (morning and after school). • My website is full of important information, including the syllabus, agenda, copies of assignments, and valuable links. Please visit frequently: `://amyterry.weebly.com • There is also a link to each teacher’s site on the Highland Lakes website.

3. “Meet” the Teacher: • I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. • I met and married my husband here. We have a five-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son. • I received my bachelor’s degree in American Literature from Grand Valley State University, and my master’s degree in secondary education from ASU. • I love reading, writing, camping at the beach, cooking, and studying government, politics, and world religions. • If I didn’t teach language arts, I would love to teach social studies.

4. My Goals: In a Nutshell • To facilitate independent learning. • To inspire you to read literature and to like it • To give you the privilege of listening to others’ ideas (not just mine), and the opportunity to share your own • To teach you the language used to discuss literature (plot, irony, symbolism, etc.). • To give you the tools that you need to write an effective essay, story or poem. • To nurture your creativity and allow it to grow.

5. Class Objectives (based on state standards) • Review and strengthen grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary skills. • Use the multi-paragraph essay format and the six traits of quality writing to create structured essays and creative writing pieces, including poetry. • Read and analyze short stories, novels, and poetry for comprehension and content. • Participate in class discussions based on assigned literary texts. • Learn and utilize the elements of literature. • Engage in independent reading and complete journals based on selected books.

6. Highland Lakes Advanced Studies Program (HLASP) • HL is now offering advanced classes in three core academic areas: language arts, math, social studies, and science. • Testing and placement for these classes occurred last spring. • Whether students are enrolled in just one or in all three, they are considered part of the program. • Students in HLASP will engage in a rigorous and accelerated curriculum based on the National Common Core Standards: corestandards.org

7. HLSAP Student Contract • You have all received a student contract. • A contract for each advanced class that the student is taking must be signed by both the parent and the student and returned to the teacher by Wednesday, August 13. • This form is also available on my website amyterry@weebly.com

8. Classroom Expectations • We will obey the school rules and district policies. • We will not cause a problem for ourselves or others. If we do, we will be guided into owning and solving it. If we cannot self-correct our problem, our teacher will do something about it. If we feel that we have been treated unfairly by our teacher, we will talk to her privately about our feelings.

9. …and one more • “Mi casa es su casa” (my house is your house) and this classroom is my second home. You are my guest; please be respectful. • If you haven’t already noticed, I value cleanliness and order. • Students will be dismissed when the room is clean and orderly.

10. Suggested Supplies • Pencils, pens (blue or black and red ink) • Highlighters (we use them frequently) • Loose-leaf paper (no frilly edges please!) • Independent reading book ( a novel). • A composition book which can be purchased at Wal-Mart or Target for 50¢.

11. Please do not use spiral notebooks for this class! Loose-leaf paper only! • NO! • YES!

12. Please bring….. You will need two composition books for this class by Wednesday, August 13. Please talk to me if you can’t get one and I will buy one for you.

13. Suggested Donations • Tissues • Markers (we use these frequently • Post-Its (we use these to take notes) • Hand sanitizer • Highlighters • Loose-leaf or copy paper • Gift cards (Office Max or Staples) • Donations can be dropped off in the office or brought to the classroom. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

14. Reading Requirement • Students will be reading at least one novel per quarter. Some will be selected for the class, others will be students’ choice. • Students will need to select a novel of their choice for first quarter. It should be appropriate for their reading level. • Adult novels are acceptable to me if they are acceptable to the parent. • We will be writing in response to these novels.

15. Grades I use standards-based grading in this class. Instead of seeing a list of assignments in Powerschools, you will see a list of standards. You will receive rubrics that outline the expectations and requirements for earning a particular number of points for each standard that we are working on. These numbers equate to a level of mastery. Each standard is weighted equally at 10 points, therefore, quarterly grades will reflect your average performance in all of the language arts standards. For more information, see the Standards-Based Grading link on my website: http://amyterry.weebly.com

16. Citizenship • Each student will receive a weekly citizenship rubric that they will use to reflect on their own behavior. • Students with low citizenship scores will be required to complete an intervention plan with the support and direction of the teacher and parents. • Your behavior, attitude and effort, have a significant affect on your performance in class, and therefore, they are reflected in your grades.

17. PowerSchools • You can and should check your grades on a regular basis. If you haven’t done so already, have your parents call or stop by the Highland Lakes office to receive a PowerSchools password. This will give you access to all of your grades online. You can also pick up your password in the office at open house. • Please remember that I am evaluating and grading a lot of writing. It usually takes me a couple of weeks to grade major essays and projects. Your patience is appreciated.

18. Late Work • It is my professional belief that a student’s grade should be based solely on their academic achievement and mastery of the language arts objectives. Therefore, I do accept work for full credit. However, depending on the situation, students wishing to turn in late work will be required to complete a reassessment action plan that may also require them to write a reflective explanatory essay in order to receive full credit. • Students who have a problem with habitual lateness will face disciplinary consequences. • Responsibility is included on the citizenship rubric that you will be receiving and will be recorded in Powerschools.

19. Assessment Make-Up • Students who are dedicated and motivated to succeed may re-do assessments for full credit. • In order to make up an assessment, students must complete a reassessment action plan. • Make-up assessments must be done before or after school. • Please be sure to schedule time for re-assessment with me ahead of time. • The deadline for completing all re-assessments or missing work is 7 days before the end of each quarter. I will not accept any work for credit after that time.

20. Tutoring • I want to help every student succeed. Tutoring is available upon request and may be required as a prerequisite to re-doing an essay or test. • If there is enough interest, I will schedule before and/or after-school sessions that meet on a regular basis. • Please be sure to schedule tutoring with me ahead of time.

21. Absent Work • We follow the district’s policy: one day for each day absent. However, I am always willing to work with a student who needs more time if they communicate with me. • Students are responsible for finding out what they missed by checking the website, asking a classmate, or asking me.

22. Planners and Agenda • You will write the agenda for the week in your planner for each class every Monday. The agenda is also on my website. • Consult your planner or the website to see what you missed when absent.

23. Hall Passes • You must have a pass every time you leave the room. • Any time you leave, you must also sign out. Use the following codes: RR (restroom), MC (media center), OC (other class), office, and nurse. Put the time next to the destination, without saying a word (to avoid interrupting others). I will ask you for clarification if needed. When you return, get back to work. • You are allowed three hall passes per quarter for each teacher.

24. Daily Procedures • Entering: If the door is closed, line up along the wall and I will be right there. Sit in your assigned seats and check the board for instructions. • Late to Class: If you are late to class, please sit down quietly, wait for an appropriate time, and ask a tablemate what you missed. Do not come up to my desk unless you have a pass from the office or another teacher. I can see that you are here. I will follow the school’s tardy policy.

25. Exiting • I will excuse you (not the bell) after all materials are picked up, tables and floors are cleaned, and all students are seated. When you leave, push in your chair. You may not congregate by the door before the bell rings. If I give you free time to chat, do it by your tables or somewhere other than the doorway. Crowding is a safety hazard. Please don’t ask to leave early; I am not allowed to excuse you before the bell.

26. Disruptions • If you need to get a drink, leave the class, or sharpen a pencil and it is not an emergency, please wait until an appropriate time (not during a lesson, lecture, instructions, or presentations). • This is simple common courtesy for all.

27. Book Orders • Due next Friday • Link on my website for online catalogues and ordering. • Pick up forms as you leave.

28. Homework • Read at least 25 pages in your independent reading book and bring it to class with you tomorrow.