EL ALBA BILINGUAL SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE SYLLABUS 7TH GRADE ENGLISH READING / GRAMMAR

Course Description Seventh grade English Reading & Grammar is the study of skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will develop basic capacities of expression and comprehension and communication skills. Students will develop reading strategies that they will be required to apply during independent and classroom reading. Students will use the writing process to communicate effectively and efficiently. Students will be encouraged to apply their knowledge in service to others creatively. Relevance This course will foster students ability to read critically, write effectively, and communicate efficiently, providing the foundation for career opportunities and their ability to serve human kind. Expectations The ultimate goal of both courses is to help all of the students learn to read at the 7th grade level, be able to choose age-appropriate books, have exposure to the many different types of books, and become familiar with literature circles. Some of our reading will be completed through these literature circles, which will be explained on the first day of class. Students will read books from an assortment of genres and will complete a variety of reports and presentations that correspond with what they read. It is expected that 7th grade students read 300 pages each quarter, which is roughly 33 pages a week. Each week students should record their page count on a reading log. This reading is necessary to keep grade level up and become excellent readers. Course Outline Quarter 1 Personal Writing / The Writing Process Reading Strategies Nonfiction text

Quarter 2 Descriptive Writing / Narrative Writing Reading Strategies Fiction text Quarter 3 Expository Informative Essay Reading Strategies Nonfiction text Quarter 4 Persuasive Essay- Convincing an Audience Reading Strategies Nonfiction text Instructional Materials English Grammar: Glencoe Writers Choice (English Grammar), William MmutleMasetla Foundation, Breezes of Confirmation. English Reading: New Dimensions in the World of Reading Wind by the Sea (Reference Material in Class), The Glencoe Reader Workbook (Course 2) Communication For detailed information on the progress of the course, class projects, news and homework assignments visit http://web.me.com/nabilppor email me with any questions: nabilpp@me.com Grading Components (Knowledge, Practice, Responsibility) Knowledge=80%, Practice and Responsibility combination=20%

Class Work

40%

Writing pieces, notebook checks, literature circles, webquests

Quizzes Tests Practice

20% 20% 10%

Short weekly check-up tests Multiple choice, essay questions, constructed response Homework assignments (worksheets, vocabulary, research, chapter questions) Daily participation, behavior, and class preparation

Responsibility Total

10% 100%

A+=98-100 percent A=93-97 percent B+=86-89 percent C+=76-79 percent D+=66-69 percent B=83-85 percent C=73-75 percent D=63-65 percent

A-=90-92 percent B-=80-82 percent C-=70-72 percent D-=60-62 percent F=0-59 percent

Make-up Work Students submitting work up to ten school days late without prior approval may receive up to two grades lower on the work than they would have received if the work had been submitted on time (i.e., B+ lowered to a D+). Student work submitted after ten school days without prior approval shall not be accepted for credit and shall be recorded with a score of zero.An absentee student has the responsibility on the first day he or she returns to the course/class to meet with the teacher to develop a plan for making up missed work, quizzes, and examinations. Materials Needed y y y y Sharpened Pencils 1 or 2 pens (for correcting, not for writing) 2 notebooks (one will be a journal for weekly writing assignments) Lined loose leaf paper (100 pages)

y A folder to keep papers in y If you have a laptop that can be taken to class please let us know (it will be helpful for special class projects, but it will not be obligatory) Looking forward to a new school year, Mr. Nabil Pavn

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