7th Grade ELA 2 Teacher: Mrs. Gee

Colonel Smith Middle School Email:

2017-2018 Syllabus Phone: 520-459-8892

If you would like to contact me, email works best, but you may also leave a message with the office and I will call you back at the end of the school day or the next morning during my preparation time. When emailing me, please include your son/daughter’s name in the subject line.

Welcome to ELA 2, Writing. In this class we will be taking a journey through the wonderful world of writing! We will dive deep into all aspects of language-from vocabulary and syntax, to development and organization of ideas. It is my honor to guide you through 7th grade, and prepare you for next year. I have no doubt that this class will develop all of you into stronger readers, writers, and thinkers.

Course Description:

Quarter 1: Letter Writing, Narrative Writing.

Grammar: Parts of Speech/Sentence Fragments, Run on Sentences

Quarter 2: Persuasive Writing/Informative Writing.

Grammar: Punctuation, Subject & Predicate

Quarter 3: Poetry

Grammar: Spelling, Subject & Verb Agreement

Quarter 4: Speech

Grammar: Modifiers, Standardized Test Prep

Some rules for writing, adapted from Gail Carson Levine:

1. The very best way to write better is to write more.

2. The best way to write more is to write whenever you find a chair and a pen and paper or your computer.

3. Read! The payoff for this pleasure is that reading books shows you how to write them.(Reading at least 30 minutes a day outside of class will enhance your reading and writing skills!)

4. Reread! There is nothing wrong with reading something you love over and over. When you do, the words get inside you, they become a part of you, in a way that words you have read only once can't.

5. Save everything you write! Even if you don't feel it is your best work.

Classroom Expectations:

1. Be on Time

2. Be Prepared

3. Be Courteous

4. Follow Directions

5. Follow all expectations & procedures of CSMS

Proper Heading:

  • MLA Format
  • Name
  • Class Name (ELA 2 C1)
  • Assignment Name (Example: Bellwork #1)
  • Date
  • This excludes your Writing Notebook.

Writing Notebook: Students will be required and responsible to keep a Writing Notebook in class. The note taking style will be Cornell Notes, and a Table of Contents is required in the front of the notebook. Pages should not be ripped out, and will be used frequently in class. All tests and quizzes are open note.

Course Website, Google Classroom & Power School

Regularly check the course website for missed work, the Google Classroom for classwork & homework assignments and Power School for grades.

Grade Weights

Homework: 15%

Classwork 15%

Tests, Quizzes, Final Essays 35%

Projects: 35%

Grading ScaleA = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F = 0-59%

Tests: Students will be assessed using their essays and the writing process, and tests after grammar units.

Writing Portfolio: Each student will create aWriting Portfoliofor an end of year grade. Each quarter we will add to this portfolio, so you will leave this class with a sample of your work. Included in this portfolio you will have at least one sample of the following:

  • Narrative
  • Argumentative/Persuasive
  • Informative/Explanatory
  • Poetry
  • Speech
  • Free Write
  • Letter to Self
  • Quarter Goals & Benchmark Data
  • Reflections

Bellwork: Is completed daily as soon as the student enters the classroom. Students are only exempt if they are absent.

Homework: When homework is assigned, it will be written on the board. Students are required to copy down assignments into their agenda after they finish the day’s bellwork. I will also post homework along with classwork on the “assignment calendar” tab on my website. Homework in this class is rare, as I try to help students through the writing process in class.

Extra Credit will be given at the teacher’s discretion, not at the student’s request.

Late Work & Makeup Work

Assignments turned in late will lose 10% each day with a maximum penalty of 50%. I will not accept late work the last week of the quarter. This does not apply to makeup work; you have one day for every day you were absent. Students are responsible for makeup work, not the teacher. Tests and quizzes will need to be scheduled to be made up after school. A score of zero points will be recorded for each incomplete assignment as soon as grades are entered.

If your assignment is “late”, do not forget to fill out and turn in a “Late Slip”. This needs to be filled out in its entirety to include why you do not have your assignment. This is to be filled out in complete sentences.

Assignments are posted on Google Classroom regularly. Please check frequently.

If paper copies of the assignment were distributed in class, you will find extra copies in the “while you were out” binder when you return to class. Assignments remain in the binder for the quarter. There are ten tabs in the binder, so you will find it corresponding to the week.

You should never throw away any completed material until the quarter is over unless instructed to do so by me. Students should check their grades online to ensure it is correct. The graded paper is their only proof of their grade. If you disagree with the scoring of an assignment, please speak to me directly during collab time, after school, or before school.

Academic Integrity

Work that is not your own needs to be properly cited, whether the source is a classmate, a website, or a published text. Taking credit for work you did not produce is considered plagiarism, which is a serious offense with serious consequences. School rules regarding student conduct and ethical behavior apply in this class. The minimum penalty for a violation of academic integrity (plagiarism or cheating) is a failing grade for the assignment or exam.

Required Materials

  • Folder/ Binder (Writing Portfolio)
  • Composition Notebook
  • Pencils
  • Red Pen
  • Chrome Book (Ipad in first few weeks of school)
  • Good Work Ethic
  • Positive Attitude

Classroom Wish List

  • tissue
  • college-lined loose-leaf paper

Please remember that the quarter line up is subject to change. I’m looking forward to a great year together!

Keys for success:

Have a positive attitude! I am here to help: it is about mastery, not mystery. Please come to me for any questions.

Do your very best every day you walk through our doors.

Mrs. Gee