August 27, 2007 Subject: Seventh Grade English Language Arts Introduction Letter Dear Parent/Guardian: Welcome to a new and exciting school year! As the new school year begins, let me say that I am looking forward to having your child in my class. While my responsibility is that of teacher, you, the parent/guardian, are the most important educator in your child’s life. It is my goal that we work together so that your child receives the best education possible. You will find attached to this letter a Course Syllabus and my Classroom Rules and Expectations, which include behavioral expectations and general course information. English Language Arts is a challenging course designed to prepare students for Pre-AP ELA in the 8th grade. Expectations are high! I ask that you read the information carefully and review with your son/daughter. You may contact me if you have questions. I ask that you return this Introduction Letter, by your son/daughter no later than Wednesday, August 29. 2007. You may keep the Introduction Letter Copy for your records. The attached Course Syllabus and Classroom Rules and Expectations are for your records. There is an incentive for your child to return this signed Letter on time: a 100 bonus daily grade! If at any time during the year you have questions concerning your child’s progress, please contact me. My personal planning period is 5th period, or 1:15 pm – 2:02 pm. The school phone number is 281.634.3520, however, the most efficient method of contacting me is through email, Gregory.Jammer@fortbendisd.com. I look forward to meeting you and working with you throughout the coming year. Sincerely, Mr. G. Jammer Attachment I/We have reviewed the information contained with my/our son or daughter. Parent/Guardian ____________________________ Date _____________ Parent/Guardian ____________________________ Date _____________ August 27, 2007 Subject: Seventh Grade English Language Arts Introduction Letter COPY Dear Parent/Guardian: Welcome to a new and exciting school year! As the new school year begins, let me say that I am looking forward to having your child in my class. While my responsibility is that of teacher, you, the parent/guardian, are the most important educator in your child’s life. It is my goal that we work together so that your child receives the best education possible. You will find attached to this letter a Course Syllabus and my Classroom Rules and Expectations, which include behavioral expectations and general course information. English Language Arts is a challenging course designed to prepare students for Pre-AP ELA in the 8th grade. Expectations are high! I ask that you read the information carefully and review with your son/daughter. You may contact me if you have questions. You may keep this Letter for your records, however, I ask that you return the Introduction Letter Copy, by your son/daughter no later than Wednesday, August 29, 2007. The attached Course Syllabus and Classroom Rules and Expectations are for your records. There is an incentive for your child to return this signed Letter on time: a 100 bonus daily grade! If at any time during the year you have questions concerning your child’s progress, please contact me. My personal planning period is 5th period, or 1:15 pm – 2:02 pm. The school phone number is 281.634.3520, however, the most efficient method of contacting me is through email, Gregory.Jammer@fortbendisd.com. I look forward to meeting you and working with you throughout the coming year. Sincerely, Mr. G. Jammer Attachment 7th Grade English Language Arts Course Syllabus 2007-2008 Mr. G. Jammer Room: 2310 Team: 701 Welcome to a new year at Lake Olympia Middle School! Teacher Contact Information: Room: 2310 Conference: 5th Period Email: gregory.jammer@fortbendisd.com – best form of communication Phone: (281) 634-3520 *In order to schedule a conference, please call the school and leave a message or email me* Materials needed to be successful: - 3-ring Binder (at least 2 inches) - 8 Tab Dividers - poly vinyl 3 prong folder, with pockets - paper (lots of it!) - markers - colored pencils - red pen - pens – blue or black ink only - pencils - highlighter - 3 1/2 floppy disk or flash drive - post-it notes - Kleenex - A self-selected book for independent reading Course Description: In grade 7, students refine and master previously learned reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and representing skills in increasingly complex presentations, reading selections, and written compositions. Seventh grade students analyze and evaluate a speaker’s message, credibility and delivery. Students read widely in classic and contemporary selections and informational texts. Students select and use different forms of writing, varied sentence structure and more complex verb tense, grammar and usage, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization to improve their writing. Students produce error -free compositions on a regular basis. Students draw data from multiple sources for use in research and projects. Gifted and Talented classes emphasize language study, problem solving and advanced reading and research. Students produce high level critical and creative products and performances. Thematic Units/Units of Study: Each 7th grade ELA classroom will include, but are not limited to the following units of study: 1. Short Stories a. Story Structure 2. Parts of Speech, Grammar and Punctuation 3. Vocabulary Development a. Common i. Affixes ii. Prefixes iii. Suffixes 4. Compositions a. Personal Narratives b. Persuasive Letters c. Research Paper 5. Greek Mythology 6. Poetry 7. Novels (subject to change) a. Taking Sides b. Crash c. Full Tilt d. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry 8. Technology 9. Drama a. 12 Angry Men b. A Christmas Carol Classroom Rules and Expectations: 1. Arrive on Time • This means that you are in your seat completing your warm-up when the bell rings. Once you enter the room, you are not allowed to leave, without permission, even if the tardy bell has not sounded. “Once you’re in, you are in ‘til the end” • Tardy Policy – a student is considered tardy if not in his/her assigned seat when the tardy bell rings. o A Tardy Log will be kept for Class or School Detention, when appropriate. 2. Come Prepared to Class • Bring your binder, assignments, self-selected book and writing utensils to class everyday. NO EXCEPTIONS! Complete class work and homework, when assigned, so that you are ready to participate in any class discussions. Only ELA related material should be on your desk during ELA classes. “If it’s not ELA, put it away!” • Supplies Policy – students who do not bring their supplies to class will receive a verbal warning for the first offense. If it becomes a habitual occurrence, parents will be notified and detention will be assigned, when appropriate. 3. Be Respectful of Others and Property • DO NOT prevent another student from learning. • DO NOT prevent the teacher from teaching. • Raise your hand and obtain permission before speaking or asking questions. • Wait patiently for others to finish speaking before adding your own views. • If you need to borrow items, please ask. • My desk and cabinets are off limits to students unless permission is granted by me. • Clean and organize work area the last 5 minutes of class, once instructed to do so. • Return any borrowed materials in an orderly and neat manner. 4. Display appropriate behavior • Respect others right to learn. o Maintain silence when walking to the library, or assemblies. • Respect others’ opinions and differences. • Horse playing is not permitted. • Positive attitudes are the only type of attitudes permitted. Encourage each other daily by offering positive and constructive comments, where appropriate. • Students will be treated as pre-teens/teenagers, so please act accordingly. If you act like a child, you will be treated like a child. The choice is yours! 5. Follow All Directions and Adhere to School Policies • Listen attentively and carefully and follow directions . . . the first time! • There will be no eating, drinking, or gum chewing. There will be no personal grooming of any kind during class by males or females. Consequences, if you choose not to follow class room rules: 1st: Verbal warning 2nd: Attitude Adjustment Sheet – must have parent signature 3rd: Teacher or School Detention – 2nd form of parent contact 4th: Office Referral Any severe disruption of class is an automatic Office Referral (i.e. fighting, disrespecting an adult/classmate, inappropriate language, etc…). Rewards: 1. Daily Praise, High fives, etc… 2. ‘Free Time’ Passes - Students may earn one pass every grading period. You can also earn passes by bringing in supplies that are needed in the classroom (i.e., Kleenex, paper towels, glue sticks, etc.). 3. ‘Good Behavior Ticket Award!’ - students may earn tickets, at teacher’s discretion, during each grading period. Each ticket automatically enters the student in an End of Semester Lottery for prizes and awards. (Any subsequent Office Referrals by this ELA teacher renders the Ticket Award! null and void). 4. Super Stars – each student who receives an A on an exam or composition will receive a spot on the ‘WALL OF SUPERSTARS’. Restroom/Other Passes: Students are encouraged to tend to personal needs before or after class. Restroom passes will not be given except in an emergency. There will be no break in block classes; students are expected to be in class for the full 90 minutes. Students will be allowed to go the restroom during class time ONLY after the lesson is completed and students are working independently (at the teacher’s discretion). Students will sign the classroom log to record all passes issued, including date, time and destination. Daily Routines: • Homework Homework is designed to help each child reach his/her academic potential and develop habits of self discipline and responsibility. Homework is also intended to foster increased communication between the school and home. Homework assignments are intended to help students: • DEVELOP independent study habits • REINFORCE classroom learning • ENRICH their lives through independent projects • INVOLVE parents with their child’s education Assignments Read 20 pages daily from your self-selected book (parent signature required.) Any unfinished or make-up work. • Library Our Lake Olympia Library is a wonderful resource, but we must share its use with other departments. Our library schedule will allow us to visit the library as a class once every two weeks. Students who need to visit the library more frequently may obtain a morning/afternoon/lunch library pass so that the student may go to the library before or after school. Students will not be given a pass to turn in books, but can drop the books in the book drop located just outside the library doors during a passing period. ELA department has determined that passes to the library during the class day are limited to one pass per student between scheduled library visits. • Reading Requirement There is a 7th grade Reading TAKS test this year. We are going to start focusing on preparing for the exam. This reading program will help your student build fluency and basic comprehension skills for the test. The Reading Program is not an option! Students are required to read a book at their independent reading level every day. Students are expected to read 20 minutes (silent sustained reading) in class and for thirty minutes each night as homework. Students are required to read a daily minimum of 20 pages A parent signature is required weekly in order to receive credit for the homework grade. Assessments will be given to determine the student’s comprehension of his/her selfselected text. Accelerated Reader Later in the first nine weeks I will provide parents with a letter containing updated information on policies and procedures for the AR Program FBISD Grading Policy: Conduct grades are determined by a student’s behavior for each nine week grading period. Parents will be notified if a student’s conduct needs improvement or is unsatisfactory. E=Excellent/ or O=Outstanding S=Satisfactory N=Needs Improvement U=Unsatisfactory Academic grades are determined by the student’s performance in the curriculum. Actual student numerical grades are recorded in the grade book. Nine weeks averages are determined by averaging the grades in the grade book. Semester averages are determined by averaging the report card grades. 90-100=A 80-89=B 75-79=C 70-74=D 69-below=F (not passing) I=incomplete NG=No Grade Late Work Policy All daily assignments submitted after a posted due date will receive the following credit: 1 day late=89 maximum points may be earned 2 days late= 85 maximum points may be earned 3 days late= 79 maximum points may be earned 4 days late= 75 maximum points may be earned 5 days or more= 50 maximum points may be earned Make-up work – students will have time to do make up work if they are absent. They have the same number of days to do the work as they were absent. For example: if you are absent for 2 days you have 2 days to complete the work, make up exams, or lab assignments. Mr. Jammer, 7th Grade ELA Syllabus and Class Rules and Expectations Please Re-read the syllabus with your parents and sign below. Fill out the information sheet located on the back of this form and return to your teacher. Student: I, ___________________________________, have read and I understand Student’s Name Mr. Jammer’s Classroom Rules and Expectations. I agree to follow these procedures as stated and practiced in class at all times. Failure to comply will result in the consequences outlined. Student (printed): __________________________________ Student signature: __________________________________ Date: ______ Parent: I, ___________________________________, have read and I understand Parent’s Name Mr. Jammer’s Classroom Rules and Procedures. I will assist the teacher in maintaining my child’s success in his classroom at all times. Parent (printed): ___________________________________ Parent signature: ___________________________________ Date: ______ Parent (printed): ___________________________________ Parent signature: ___________________________________ Date: ______ Mr. Jammer, 7th Grade ELA - Student Information Sheet Student Information: (please print) ______________________________________ Student’s Name (First and Last) _________ Age ___________________________ Birthday - m/d/yr ____________________________________________ Address ( )___________________________ Home Phone Number ____________________________________________ City State Zip Code ( ) __________________________ Alternate Phone Number Parent Information: (please print) Must be in parent’s handwriting to receive credit! _________________________ ____________________ Mother’s Name Place of Employment _________________________ ____________________ Father’s Name Place of Employment ( ) ______________________ Wk. Ph. # ( ) _____________________ Cell Ph. # ( ) ______________________ Wk. Ph. # ( )_______________________ Cell Ph. # Email address for student progress and general information: This is the best form of communication! Mother’s Email: _____________________________________________________________ Father’s Email: _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________ Mother’s Signature _____________________________________ Date _____________________________________ Father’s Signature _____________________________________ Date Any special needs or concerns: ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________