English 7, taught by Sherry Burgoon

Objectives or Goals:

To improve communication skills by adding new experiences in reading, writing, and speaking

Textbooks:

• Prentice Hall Literature – Bronze

• Elements of Writing – Kinneavy, Warriner

• Daily Vocabulary – Level 7

• McDougal, Littell

• *Vocabulary Workshop – Level C – extension
  program

Supplies:

• binder,

• pens,

• poster board,

• dividers,

• Cornell ruled paper (students can rule their own)

Parent communication regarding progress:

Five-week progress reports, Agenda book, phone when necessary, report cards

Evaluation Methods (grading):

• quizzes and tests – numerical score

• composition, projects, book reports- letter grade

The ten week grade is obtained from the following areas:

Each of the following areas count 25 percent of the marking period average.

1. Homework/Classwork

2. Quizzes

3. Unit Tests

4. Writing Assignments (including binder, book reports, creative projects, speeches, and class presentations)

Homework:

Homework is given on a daily basis. Each assignment requires a minimum of 15-30 minutes to complete. The following criteria will be used to determine the credit given: neatness, completion, and turned in on time.

Point values:

4 - neat, complete, on time

3 - lacking neatness, completion, or incomplete heading

2 - one day late or a redo

1 - two days late

0 - not done

Major Assignments:

Long range assignments which span multiple days or weeks are usually graded alphabetically. Students lose a letter grade for every day that major assignments are turned in late. This would include book reports, projects, major writing assignments, binders, etc.

Quizzes:

Usually announced – number of quizzes a week depends on  the unit(s) of study

Tests:

2 – 3 a marking period following a major unit of study

Projects: letter grade
Classwork: same as homework
Binder: numerical grade
Extra Credit: added to homework average
Midterm/Final: midterm writing assessment – letter grade
Final exam - numerical  grade

Absences/missed work:

After an absence from class, students should see the teacher before or after school to find out work missed. Using a study buddy or the Hotline would be helpful when absent.

Extra Help:

Tues., Wed., Thurs. after school
Student should make an appointment first.

Course Outline:

1. Studying of weekly vocabulary and spelling

2. Reading and discussion of literature (several genres including short story, novel, drama, poetry and non-fiction)

3. Developing the techniques of composition (narration, exposition, description, and persuasion)

4. Studying of grammar

5. Speaking in class

6. Researching a selected topic

Developing study and organizational skills

*I recommend owning an intermediate pocket dictionary and Webster’s Thesaurus in dictionary form.

**Parents are urged to call the school and make an appointment with the teacher at a convenient time if ever there is a need for a conference.
 

To contact teacher:

Call 765-3314, ext, 319