7TH GRADE English
We will generally spend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday working with grammar and proofreading skills. Thursday and Friday will be days to work with our writing assignments. We will do many small assignments and one major assignment each quarter. The major assignment will be worked on gradually throughout the entire quarter. You do not need to expect much homework dealing with writing; most of that work will be done together in class.
Often students make simple errors or misunderstand the material. Once the assignment has been completed and graded, or been retaught, students feel they can do a better job of mastering it. If a student receives a “D” or “F” on a completedassignment, I will allow that student to redo the assignment within 24 hours for full credit. I do not allow students to redo quizzes or tests, except under extreme circumstances.
Spelling is not a separate subject in 7th grade, but rather incorporated as part of the English grade. The students are given a list of thirty words for each test. The first twenty words are taken from their vocabulary assignments, and the last ten are review words from 6th grade. The students are given a pretest on Friday of the first week that the list is assigned and a final test on the following Friday. Those scoring 100% on the pretest are exempted from the final test. Those not scoring 100% must correct their errors 10 times each, in cursive, and hand in these corrections by the class period of the final test. These corrections are considered an assignment. Periodically, the students may also be given review tests on the words they have had so far throughout the year.
7TH GRADE Social Studies
The 7th grade social studies textbook is a physical textbook, as well as an online one. Students can access the textbook from their Chrome Book or from ANY OTHER COMPUTER connected to the internet.
Students are given the notes for each lesson and can highlight them in the online version of the text. After each lesson has been read and the notes given, the Lesson Checks in the book are assigned by me and turned in to me through Google Classroom. Short quizzes are given after every two lessons. All quizzes are open note quizzes. Therefore, if a student has highlighted the notes, he/she has all the answers.
We will also be studying basic world geography. The goal is for the students to identify the locations of the countries, their capitals, and major geographic features of the continents of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Online practice quizzes are provided before each map quiz. These practice quizzes are not graded, but they can be taken as many times as a student would like in preparation for the actual quizzes.
7TH GRADE P.E.
P.E. is scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays in the afternoon. We will learn about and participate in different sports throughout the year, while also working on physical fitness.
Every class period, each student will receive a participation grade. All points for participation will be awarded if the student is on time and completely dressed for warm-ups, and puts forth reasonable effort in the class activities for the day (not standing around talking, sitting on the stage, avoiding practicing learned skills, or causing disruptions).
Each student must dress completely in the required PE uniform, or he/she will receive partial or no credit for the day’s participation grade. Zero credit for not dressing is noted as “NoUn.” on FACTS. Those not dressed will work on a written assignment for the duration of the class period. Partial credit (50%) is given for an incomplete uniform and is noted as “PtUn.” on FACTS. Students not completely dressed and/or not in their spot for warm-ups when we are ready to begin, start the period with 80% credit, which is noted as “Late” on FACTS. Students not present for class due to absence or for another reason, such as band sectionals, are not penalized. These are noted as “Abs.” for absent, or “Ex.” for excused, on FACTS.
Near the end of each unit, students will be given skills quizzes based upon the skills learned for the given unit. Students feeling that their quiz grade is not sufficient are allowed to redo any skills quizzes until they are satisfied with their grade, if time allows.
Students are required to keep track of exercise and/or physical activity they do outside of class, brief nutritional information, and amount of sleep by recording these items in their fitness logs. Fitness logs are done weekly, and must be filled out completely and initialed by parents to receive credit. Turning in few to no fitness logs can lower a student’s total P.E. grade by up to one full grade level.
Any quizzes that are missed for any absence must be made up if possible.
HOMEWORK
Homework is assigned in most subjects on most days. I usually do not assign homework over the weekend. I almost never assign any tests or quizzes over the weekends. I do expect students to work diligently on their assignments, particularly during study hall. Study Hall is not a “free time” or social time. Students are expected to be working on something, and there is always something to work on, even if it is simply reading a book for Accelerated Reader or for pleasure. Disruptions during the study hall period interrupt students who are trying to work, keep me from planning lessons and grading papers, and hinder me from answering students’ questions, or giving students any additional help they might need. Disruptions waste time and will not be tolerated. Students also should not be using the time during Study Hall to be playing games, watching videos, or any other activities not related to their homework on their ChromeBooks. If this becomes a persistent problem, the ChromeBook may be confiscated.
Assignments are posted in my classroom daily as well as online. Tests are announced and posted several days in advance. Students are responsible for keeping track of what has been assigned and when it is due. This can be done by using their planners, or checking the assignments online.
If an assignment is not handed in when collected, without a student’s name on it, or after the grace period allowed for an absence, it can be still handed in for partial credit (50%), and will be marked as “Late” on FACTS. Work that is not brought to class but is left in a student’s locker or desk can be handed in late with the previously outlined consequences, or it can be retrieved, but the student is then given a tardy for class.
Each week, graded work will be sent home for you to review, if you choose. Please EXPECT it and ASK for it weekly. I do not need the work returned to me, but I do ask that you take the time to review it, and raise any questions or concerns that you may have. This is an important way for you to be able to see your child’s work, ask questions about it, and cross reference it on FACTS. Also, be aware that some assignments are given online through Google Classroom. These assignments are not handed back on paper, but rather returned online through Google Classroom. Take the opportunity to check in on these by using your student’s Google account. Please take note of any “D” or “F” daily English assignments that may be redone and resubmitted to me for a better grade.
Grades for assigned work are recorded on FACTS for both parents and students to access. Scores are recorded as a numerical value which is then used to calculate the student’s percent and letter grade. When numerical scores cannot be recorded, a code may be recorded in its place. An assignment that has been handed in “incomplete” will be noted with the code “Inc.” An assignment that has not been handed in will be noted with the code “Miss.” An assignment that has been handed in “incomplete” will be noted with the code “Inc.” An assignment that has been handed in “with no name will be noted with the code “NoNm.” These all receive 0 points. As mentioned, a late assignment is recorded as ”Late” and receives 50% credit. Assignments that are being given extra time for a certain reason are marked as “Pend.” Assignments that are being given extra time due to an absence are marked as “Abs.” Assignments excused for a certain reason are marked as “Ex.” These three codes carry no penalties and are not used in the calculation of a student’s grade.
CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE
If anything is to be accomplished this year, I must maintain order in the classroom. This means students are to show respect for me, for the work I do as their teacher, for their fellow students’ right to learn and receive instruction, and for themselves and their own education. Most disciplinary issues can be handled with my own classroom policies. This brings us to Godfather principle #1: The opportunity to behave properly is an offer you can’t refuse. Students are given a series of three warnings to correct the behavior that is hindering our progress. Consequences follow each series of warnings.
1st 1...2...3... = Student is asked to leave the classroom for 5 minutes
and receives a lunch/recess detention (green slip).
2nd 1...2...3... = Student is asked to leave the classroom for 5 minutes,
receives a lunch/recess detention (green slip), and will
write apologies to the class and teacher.
3rd 1...2...3... = Student is asked to leave the classroom for 5 minutes
and receives an after school detention.
* Students not reporting for lunch/recess detention will receive an
after school detention.
* Accumulating 3 green slips in one quarter = detention
* Accumulating 4, 5, or 6 green slips in a quarter = 2 consecutive
detentions
Once a student receives his/her second green slip, I will make contact with parents to inform them of the situation. Once a student begins to receive 2 consecutive detentions, I will ask the principal to become involved as well. Discipline beyond consecutive detentions will be determined with input from the principal. Each quarter begins with a clean slate.
Please note that discipline situations do not often progress to the point of assigning after school detentions. My purpose in outlining these procedures is not to appear threatening. Even though students make poor choices at times, and I need procedures in place to deal with these poor choices, I strive to maintain an atmosphere of forgiveness when confronted with discipline issues. This is Godfather principle #2: Classroom discipline is not personal, it’s strictly business.
We will generally spend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday working with grammar and proofreading skills. Thursday and Friday will be days to work with our writing assignments. We will do many small assignments and one major assignment each quarter. The major assignment will be worked on gradually throughout the entire quarter. You do not need to expect much homework dealing with writing; most of that work will be done together in class.
Often students make simple errors or misunderstand the material. Once the assignment has been completed and graded, or been retaught, students feel they can do a better job of mastering it. If a student receives a “D” or “F” on a completedassignment, I will allow that student to redo the assignment within 24 hours for full credit. I do not allow students to redo quizzes or tests, except under extreme circumstances.
Spelling is not a separate subject in 7th grade, but rather incorporated as part of the English grade. The students are given a list of thirty words for each test. The first twenty words are taken from their vocabulary assignments, and the last ten are review words from 6th grade. The students are given a pretest on Friday of the first week that the list is assigned and a final test on the following Friday. Those scoring 100% on the pretest are exempted from the final test. Those not scoring 100% must correct their errors 10 times each, in cursive, and hand in these corrections by the class period of the final test. These corrections are considered an assignment. Periodically, the students may also be given review tests on the words they have had so far throughout the year.
7TH GRADE Social Studies
The 7th grade social studies textbook is a physical textbook, as well as an online one. Students can access the textbook from their Chrome Book or from ANY OTHER COMPUTER connected to the internet.
Students are given the notes for each lesson and can highlight them in the online version of the text. After each lesson has been read and the notes given, the Lesson Checks in the book are assigned by me and turned in to me through Google Classroom. Short quizzes are given after every two lessons. All quizzes are open note quizzes. Therefore, if a student has highlighted the notes, he/she has all the answers.
We will also be studying basic world geography. The goal is for the students to identify the locations of the countries, their capitals, and major geographic features of the continents of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Online practice quizzes are provided before each map quiz. These practice quizzes are not graded, but they can be taken as many times as a student would like in preparation for the actual quizzes.
7TH GRADE P.E.
P.E. is scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays in the afternoon. We will learn about and participate in different sports throughout the year, while also working on physical fitness.
Every class period, each student will receive a participation grade. All points for participation will be awarded if the student is on time and completely dressed for warm-ups, and puts forth reasonable effort in the class activities for the day (not standing around talking, sitting on the stage, avoiding practicing learned skills, or causing disruptions).
Each student must dress completely in the required PE uniform, or he/she will receive partial or no credit for the day’s participation grade. Zero credit for not dressing is noted as “NoUn.” on FACTS. Those not dressed will work on a written assignment for the duration of the class period. Partial credit (50%) is given for an incomplete uniform and is noted as “PtUn.” on FACTS. Students not completely dressed and/or not in their spot for warm-ups when we are ready to begin, start the period with 80% credit, which is noted as “Late” on FACTS. Students not present for class due to absence or for another reason, such as band sectionals, are not penalized. These are noted as “Abs.” for absent, or “Ex.” for excused, on FACTS.
Near the end of each unit, students will be given skills quizzes based upon the skills learned for the given unit. Students feeling that their quiz grade is not sufficient are allowed to redo any skills quizzes until they are satisfied with their grade, if time allows.
Students are required to keep track of exercise and/or physical activity they do outside of class, brief nutritional information, and amount of sleep by recording these items in their fitness logs. Fitness logs are done weekly, and must be filled out completely and initialed by parents to receive credit. Turning in few to no fitness logs can lower a student’s total P.E. grade by up to one full grade level.
Any quizzes that are missed for any absence must be made up if possible.
HOMEWORK
Homework is assigned in most subjects on most days. I usually do not assign homework over the weekend. I almost never assign any tests or quizzes over the weekends. I do expect students to work diligently on their assignments, particularly during study hall. Study Hall is not a “free time” or social time. Students are expected to be working on something, and there is always something to work on, even if it is simply reading a book for Accelerated Reader or for pleasure. Disruptions during the study hall period interrupt students who are trying to work, keep me from planning lessons and grading papers, and hinder me from answering students’ questions, or giving students any additional help they might need. Disruptions waste time and will not be tolerated. Students also should not be using the time during Study Hall to be playing games, watching videos, or any other activities not related to their homework on their ChromeBooks. If this becomes a persistent problem, the ChromeBook may be confiscated.
Assignments are posted in my classroom daily as well as online. Tests are announced and posted several days in advance. Students are responsible for keeping track of what has been assigned and when it is due. This can be done by using their planners, or checking the assignments online.
If an assignment is not handed in when collected, without a student’s name on it, or after the grace period allowed for an absence, it can be still handed in for partial credit (50%), and will be marked as “Late” on FACTS. Work that is not brought to class but is left in a student’s locker or desk can be handed in late with the previously outlined consequences, or it can be retrieved, but the student is then given a tardy for class.
Each week, graded work will be sent home for you to review, if you choose. Please EXPECT it and ASK for it weekly. I do not need the work returned to me, but I do ask that you take the time to review it, and raise any questions or concerns that you may have. This is an important way for you to be able to see your child’s work, ask questions about it, and cross reference it on FACTS. Also, be aware that some assignments are given online through Google Classroom. These assignments are not handed back on paper, but rather returned online through Google Classroom. Take the opportunity to check in on these by using your student’s Google account. Please take note of any “D” or “F” daily English assignments that may be redone and resubmitted to me for a better grade.
Grades for assigned work are recorded on FACTS for both parents and students to access. Scores are recorded as a numerical value which is then used to calculate the student’s percent and letter grade. When numerical scores cannot be recorded, a code may be recorded in its place. An assignment that has been handed in “incomplete” will be noted with the code “Inc.” An assignment that has not been handed in will be noted with the code “Miss.” An assignment that has been handed in “incomplete” will be noted with the code “Inc.” An assignment that has been handed in “with no name will be noted with the code “NoNm.” These all receive 0 points. As mentioned, a late assignment is recorded as ”Late” and receives 50% credit. Assignments that are being given extra time for a certain reason are marked as “Pend.” Assignments that are being given extra time due to an absence are marked as “Abs.” Assignments excused for a certain reason are marked as “Ex.” These three codes carry no penalties and are not used in the calculation of a student’s grade.
CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE
If anything is to be accomplished this year, I must maintain order in the classroom. This means students are to show respect for me, for the work I do as their teacher, for their fellow students’ right to learn and receive instruction, and for themselves and their own education. Most disciplinary issues can be handled with my own classroom policies. This brings us to Godfather principle #1: The opportunity to behave properly is an offer you can’t refuse. Students are given a series of three warnings to correct the behavior that is hindering our progress. Consequences follow each series of warnings.
1st 1...2...3... = Student is asked to leave the classroom for 5 minutes
and receives a lunch/recess detention (green slip).
2nd 1...2...3... = Student is asked to leave the classroom for 5 minutes,
receives a lunch/recess detention (green slip), and will
write apologies to the class and teacher.
3rd 1...2...3... = Student is asked to leave the classroom for 5 minutes
and receives an after school detention.
* Students not reporting for lunch/recess detention will receive an
after school detention.
* Accumulating 3 green slips in one quarter = detention
* Accumulating 4, 5, or 6 green slips in a quarter = 2 consecutive
detentions
Once a student receives his/her second green slip, I will make contact with parents to inform them of the situation. Once a student begins to receive 2 consecutive detentions, I will ask the principal to become involved as well. Discipline beyond consecutive detentions will be determined with input from the principal. Each quarter begins with a clean slate.
Please note that discipline situations do not often progress to the point of assigning after school detentions. My purpose in outlining these procedures is not to appear threatening. Even though students make poor choices at times, and I need procedures in place to deal with these poor choices, I strive to maintain an atmosphere of forgiveness when confronted with discipline issues. This is Godfather principle #2: Classroom discipline is not personal, it’s strictly business.