Ms. Berliner 7th Grade English Language Arts Room K11

Syllabus & Expectations

Course Syllabus: 7th Grade English Language Arts

2008-2009

Core Literature:

• Various Short Stories including:
• “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing
• “All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury
• “Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
• Additional Short Stories
• Dragonwings by Laurence Yep
• Tales of the Arabian Nights
• Canterbury Tales- Geoffrey Chaucer
• Anne Frank:  Diary of a Young Girl
• Farewell to Manzanar – Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston

Writing:

Students will be writing this year based on the core literature and writing standards for PAUSD/California. Students will have the opportunity to practice all stages of the writing process utilizing different writing genres. All revised pieces, along with drafts and prewriting activities will be added to a portfolio that is kept in the classroom.  Students will participate in journal writing as well as in-class, timed writings.

Reading:

Students will be responsible for the following:

• Keeping a weekly reading response journal (40+ minutes a week)
• Book reports based on independent reading
• Regular in-class reading (10 minutes at the beginning of the class period)

Homework:

• Homework will be assigned several days during the week.
• Some homework is ongoing, such as the reading response journal or daily language activities, other homework will relate to class literature or writing assignment
  

Late work:

• Late work will not be accepted as is the case with all of your core subjects.This may be painful for some students during the first few months, but you will get used to it.  Absences are the only exception, see below.
• Absences:  You have one week from the last day of your absence to turn in late work and make up any tests.  Any work turned in after that date will not be accepted for credit. Long-term assignments must be turned in the day you return from an absence. If there is a problem with this, please make arrangements with the teacher before the due date of the assignment.
• Your Responsibility: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the missed assignments and turn them in to the teacher for credit.  Please make sure you have the names of at least two other students in this class to call/e-mail if you are absent. You may also find the assignments on Ms. Berliner’s web page or using InClass.  If you have any questions about the assignment, please see Ms. Berliner for clarification.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

Respect for yourself and others is the primary expectation for Room E6A.  All other expectations relate back to respect.  Learning is a community experience, and as such it is everyone’s responsibility to create a safe learning environment where each person is able to contribute to the class.  This includes being an active, respectful listener as well as a speaking participant. 

Here is a list of expectations you need to follow so everyone can be treated respectfully:

• Be in your seat ready to learn when class starts.

• Have all the materials described in the course policy handout.

• Always raise your hand when you have a question or wish to contribute an answer.

• At the end of the period stay in your seat until you have been excused.

• You will be expected to respect the rights, property, and space of your teacher and your fellow students at all times.  This includes cleaning up after activities.

• No food in class, except water or fresh fruit/veggies.

• While someone is speaking or performing, pencils will not be sharpened and students will not leave their seats.

Students who behave inappropriately or come unprepared for class will get 2 warnings, have a parent/ guardian contacted and, if the behavior continues, will earn detention.

Terman Middle School
655 Arastradero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-856-9810