THE PARENT GUIDE TO ENGLISH 7

ians, and Guard s t n e r a P r D ea ave his year. I h t ild h c r ou k with y need ited to wor ormation you f I am so exc in e h t ou give y is guide to is the created th to make th th grade English out 7 ind more to know ab . You can f ild h c r ou y le year for ve any best possib e. If you ha it s b e w s s on our cla with me e to share information lik ld ou w you information ontact me questions or sitate to c e h ot n o d e child, pleas about your e year. t during th at any poin Sincerely, Ms. Hawe

CONTACT ME:
ehawe@obenschools.org (email preferred) 516-624-6523 ext. 5273

EXTRA HELP:
2:20-3:00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in room 304. Other times are available by appointment.

http://hawe7.weebly.com
Visit our Class Website to view homework assignments, helpful resources, parent FAQs, and our class newsletter.

Each unit of study will focus on specific reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary skills and will prepare students for the New York State ELA Exam in the spring. Units of study will be organized around the following essential questions: How do we learn new things? Why is reading important? Why is there violence? How can we make a difference in the world around us? What are the advantages and disadvantages of technology? What will the future look like?

Units of Study

Class Expectations
1. Come to class prepared, on time and begin the do now by the time the bell rings. 2. Listen quietly while someone else is speaking and wait until called on to speak. 3. Follow directions the first time they are given. 4. Respect the people, furniture, equipment, books, and materials of room 304. 5. No cell phones!

Performance 60% Mini-projects and quizzes Projects and Tests Reading Portfolio

1. Come to class prepared, on time and begin the do now by the time thePractice 30% Homework bell rings. Classwork 2. Listen quietly while someone

ASSESSMENT
30%

Class Expectations

Homework Rubric = 10 points On time, very neat, thorough =9 points On time and complete =8 points One day late or very sloppy or slightly incomplete =7 points Two days late or very incomplete

60%

10%

Participation 10% Class participation Effort Coming to class prepared Meeting class expectations (see next page)

Progress Reports will be passed out in class every two weeks. Check the website for dates and be sure to review the report with your child!

Whats your homework policy?

Students will typically have about 2-3 nights of homework a week. Homework might involve grammar and vocabulary practice, studying for a quiz or test, or preparing a project. Students are expected to read their independent reading books for at least 30 minutes a night, 6 days a week. Their independent reading progress will be assessed through their reading portfolio. All assignments are given for a reason--to help students improve as a reader and writer! If students dont complete an assignment, they will miss out on an opportunity to practice a new skill, and they will be less prepared for the units test or project. Quizzes, tests, and projects will always be announced several days in advance. All deadlines and materials for any assignment will be posted on our class website. If a homework assignment is reviewed in class, you will not receive credit for turning it in late. Late projects will lose points for each day they are late and will not be accepted a week past the deadline. If you are absent from class, you will have one day for every day you were absent to make up assignments. It is your responsibility to visit the website and see me to nd out what you missed. If you have a music lesson during English class, you need to report to class rst to turn in work that is due and pick up assignments due the following day. You are responsible for missed work!

HOW WILL I BE GRADED?

Performance 50% Perfect Pages Tests Quests/Projects Independent reading page count Process 30% Homework Class work Reading and Writing Notebooks Experience points (XP)

30% 50%

XP = Experience Points 20%

Just like a video game, you will have to earn enough XP in English class to move to the next level. Earn XP by practicing the skills weve learned and keeping track on your unit scorecard.
Exceeds Standard = 10 XP Meets Standard = 9 XP Approaches Standard = 8 XP Below Standard = 7 XP Youll have plenty of opportunities to try out new skills until you master them!

Yes, you read that right. Some things dont change... Read at home for 30 minutes a day 6 days a week and youll ace this! Check out our amazing classroom library! Monthly Page Goal = 700

Participation 20% Karma Points Homework completion Class participation

WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE KARMA POINTS?

When you make positive contributions to class youll earn karma points. When you make negative contributions to class, youll lose karma points. Simple, right?

Earn karma points for...

Nominating books for the Oyster Prize Noteworthy Notebook Pages Winning the Scintillating Sentence Contest Learning Target Challenge Perfect Page Prize Class jobs Reading over the required page count Participating in lunch or after school book clubs Random acts of kindness

Lose karma points for...

breaking class rules messy binders missing books, notebooks, or binders talking without permission being late to class not starting the do now when the bell rings disrespecting the teacher or classmates leaving a messy work area abusing classroom resources and materials

You asked for it...here are the nitty gritty details...

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Class Expectations

WHAT1. YOU Come NEED: to class prepared, on time and begin the do now by the time the bell rings.
2. Listen quietly while someone else is speaking and wait until called on to speak. 3. Follow directions the rst time they are given. 4. Respect the people, furniture, equipment, books, and materials of room 304. 5. Do your best!
I dont think we need to say it, but just in case:

Whats your homework policy?

Youll usually know about homework assignments well in advance, so there

NO CELL PHONES!

shouldnt be any reason to turn things in late. But if your dog ate it, heres what you should know: On time homework = 5 points towards your participation grade. Late homework = 2 points instead of 5. Dont let it happen! If you do not have an assignment the day it is due, you will need to ll out a missing work form. I will not accept late homework without this form. Zeros are not permitted! All assignments are given for a reason--to help you get smarter! If you dont turn in a late assignment one day after it is due, you will need to stay after school. So if you dont plan on making up assignments, plan ahead by letting your coaches and parents know youll be staying after school.

What if Im absent?

Tip: HW is always posted at: http://obhsenglish7.weebly.com

If you are absent from class, you will have one day for every day you were absent to make up assignments. A While You Were Out form will be waiting for you when you return (be sure to thank the class secretary!) If you have a music lesson during English class, you need to report to class rst to turn in work that is due and pick up assignments due the following day. You are responsible for missed work!

I have read, understood, and agree to the policies and procedures described in this packet.
_________________________________
Student Name

_____________________________
Student Signature

__________________
Date

I have read and discussed the policies and procedures described in this packet with my child.
_________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name

_____________________________
Signature

__________________
Date

We have internet access at home. We will visit the class website to learn more. My email address is: ____________________________________

We do not have internet access at home. I do not have an email address.

INDEPENDENT READING AND CLASSROOM LIBRARY CONTRACT

I will read at home for at least 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week.
understand that I need to do this to continue to improve as a reader and prepare myself for the reading I will be I asked to do in high school. I also understand that I should be reading about 3/4 of a page per minute, so if I am reading a just right book, I should be able to read about 22 pages a night. This is in addition to the pages I read in class.

I will do my best to meet my monthly page goal of 700 pages.

I understand that my independent reading grade is a signicant part of class grade. I will ask for help if I am having trouble meeting it.

I will keep HONEST records of my reading and reflect on them to help me become a better reader.
At the beginning of the year, I will log my reading every time I read. I will do this to help me improve my reading habits. Later, unless I need to continue to work on my reading habits, I will keep track of my reading through a books read list. I understand that my records are to help me become a better reader, and that I am hurting myself if I am dishonest on them.

I will make every effort to find books that interest me and challenge me to become a better reader.
I will try to be open to new kinds of books this year to push myself to grow as a reader. I will put thought and effort into my book selections and will be open to recommendations from classmates, teachers, and librarians. I understand that our classroom library is just a launching pad for my reading life. I can also seek out books in the school library, the public library, bookstores, or anywhere else. I will discuss books I am thinking about reading with my parents or guardians to make sure they are comfortable with them, especially if the books address more mature topics.

I will do everything I can to take care of books I borrow so that other students can enjoy them after me.
I will keep books I borrow in a safe place where they will not get damaged or stained with food. I will not bend back the cover or dog ear the pages. I will also follow our classroom procedures for checking books in and out and do everything I can to keep our library organized. If I lose or damage a book, I agree to replace it or pay the cost to replace it.

I will positively contribute to our community of readers.

I know that I am an important part of our classroom reading community. I will recommend books to my classmates and respect their reading goals. I will read quietly during independent reading time so that I do not distract others. ______________________ Date

__________________________________________________ (Student Signature)

I understand the reading requirements for 7th grade English class and will do my best to support my childs efforts to meet them. I will visit the parent section of the class website to learn more about independent reading and to nd ways to encourage my child. If I do not have internet access, I will contact Ms. Hawe to request a hard copy of this information. __________________________________________________ (Parent Signature) ______________________ Date