August 18, 2016
Dear Student, Parents, and Guardians,
Welcome to another year at Westside Global Awareness Magnet. My name is Stephen Cordova. This is the beginning of my 20th year teaching Language Arts and Electives at Westside. My simple goal is to help all of my students write better and read with deeper understanding.
This year, I will be with 7th graders during Periods 1 and 6. My 8th grade class is Period 2. I have a 7th grade Elective class Period 3 and I work with a small group of English Learners during Period 5. We have a new textbook this year for Language Arts classes called StudySinc. It includes an online component. We will all be learning and exploring this new curriculum together. Each unit is comprised of reading and writing activities, including several novels, that will engage students and prepare them for District and State assessments.
I have several other options (older books) that I will use to supplement student learning of grammar and sentence structure. Preparation for District and State testing will also be a big part of the curriculum, using modules and prep materials gleaned from the many sources available.
Elective class assignments will feature activities using our school’s technology resources and incorporating our Global Awareness ideas and themes.
Westside uses JupiterGrades.com. It is the best way to keep up with student progress, but it does not work instantaneously. I try my best to grade every assignment in a timely manner, and post grades on a regular basis. Late assignments go to the end of the grading line. A zero (0) on an assignment means that it is missing; a blank space means that I haven’t graded the assignment yet. This website also provides a very convenient wayto contact me.
My grading scale is based on a percentage of points earned during the semester and is as follows: A= 88% -100% B = 77%-87% C = 66%- 76% D = 55%-65%. Students who get below 54% will most likely receive an F.
Students are also graded in Work Habits and Cooperation. These grades are especially important to 8th graders. Too many Us in cooperation or work habits can affect their culmination at the end of the year. A U is given in work habits to students who regularly miss assignments. A U is given in cooperation to students who regularly disrupt the learning environment.
My goal is to give an average of 500 points worth of work during each grading period. Tests and Writing assignments are worth 100 pts. or approximately 20% of the grade. While Quizzes,Projects,Classwork, and Homework are worth between 20 and 75 points each. I don’t give homework every night. Projects and writing assignments will have a deadline grade that will count as a HW assignment.Late work is penalized. One day late isone grade lower. One week late is two grades lower. One month late is 3 grades lower. I don’t give extra credit work in order to replace missing assignments.
Please come to Back to School night or visit the school during my 4th period conference time if you need any further information. You can also email me at:
I look forward to a year of learning and improvement in Language Arts skills.
Sincerely,
Stephen Cordova
Westside Global Awareness