Miss Merkle’s7th grade Language Arts Syllabus

Course Description

SpringBoard, the College Board’s official Pre-AP program, is Mount Dora Middle School’s foundation text becauseit embeds the College Board Standards for College Success and the Common Core National Standards into reading, writing, speaking, listening activities using collaborative strategies. These strategies are used purposefully to build knowledge and skills and to help students become independent readers, writers, and thinkers. The 7th grade text is structured around CHOICES. Each unit approaches the concept of “choice” in a specific manner with the end goal as the driving force for the unit focus. Students will unpack the unit and its Embedded Assessments prior to starting a unit. This is key component to using the SpringBoard text. It allows students the opportunity to preview assignments and readings in addition to establishing a clear understanding of the learning goal prior to beginning a unit.

Unit / Texts / Embedded Assessments / Est. Time
Unit 1: The Choices We Make
Learning Focus: Choices and Writing Original Stories / Poetry, songs, essays, news articles, and myths
Key terms: connotation & denotation /
  • Revising a Personal Narrative about Choice
  • Creating an Illustrated Myth
Homework:
  1. Independently read a collection of Myths or folklore from a specific culture
  2. Create a poster exemplifying a personal quality that is heroic
/ 4 weeks
Starting
9/ 3/2013
*28 class periods
Unit 2: What Influences My Choices?
Learning Focus: Persuasive Advertising and Persuasive Writing / Poetry, Informational texts: articles, letters, editorials /
  • Analyzing an Advertisement and Creating a New One
  • Writing a Letter to the Editor
Homework:
  1. Independently read a non-fiction book related to a current event
  2. Bring in magazine covers with celebrities, print ads, any advertisement geared towards tweens and teens
/ 4 weeks
*25 class periods
Unit 3: Our Choices and Life’s Lessons
Learning Focus: Understanding Literary Analysis and Real-World Solutions / The novel, Tangerine, by Edward Bloor, film clips-- Sandlot, Ever After, Second Hand Lions , non-fiction article on dramatic rescue (Chilean Mine), Reference material about Florida /
  • Writing and Analytical Essay
  • Researching and Presenting a Problem
/ 5 weeks
*30 class periods
Unit 4: reflecting on My Choices
Learning Focus: A Writer’s Choice / Student-created work /
  • A Writer’s Choice
  • Making revision Choices
Homework:
  1. Create and complete a RAFT graphic organizer for the work chosen
/ 2 ½ weeks
*12 class periods
Unit 5: How We Choose to Act
Learning Focus: Performing with a Purpose and Writing Narrative Poetry / Film clip excerpts from Fiddler on the Roof and Hook, dramatic headline from newspaper
Key terms: pantomime and monologue /
  • Creating and Presenting a Monologue
  • Creating a Narrative Poem
Homework:
  1. Students will read a poetry collection or a novel written in verse such as: Heartbeat by Sharon Creech or Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse(teacher approval required)
/ 5 ½ weeks
*27 class periods

Please note: Students will begin to use the SpringBoard text starting on August 26, 2013. During the week of 8/26-8/30, the teacher will guide students through the text: highlight key features, provide explanations on different strategy use, and demonstrate how to unpack Unit 1. This way we are ready to dive in on September 3, 2013. In addition, the students will be provided lessons on the 8 Parts of Speech and how each can function differently depending on how it is used as well as detailed instruction on the Cornell Note-Taking method focusing on how to develop an effective written summary.

Homework

Students are responsible for reading 30-45 minutes a night daily including weekends:

  • Reading Log: comprised of a detailed written summary of the reading without rewriting the book; student reflection of the reading process, are required to keep a running list of unfamiliar vocabulary.
  • Edmodo: Online homework site that will start later in September. All passwords and code of use will follow. Students will use this site as a follow up to classroom activities and to do a shared book read.
  • SpringBoard Online: Students will be provided on line access to their classroom work books to reread or redo any assignments as well as take unit mini assessments.

Portfolio

Students will keep a wide range of work in a classroom portfolio. The portfolio will include:

  • Embedded Assessments that comprise all steps in the writing process; student reflection on process and product; teacher assessment; and student reflection on assessment.
  • Unit Reflections that demonstrate development as a reader, writer, speaker, and/or listener.
  • Global revision and reflection that reveals one’s growth as a writer.
  • Assignments that demonstrate a variety of learning strategies, various stages of the writing process, and reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

Vocabulary

Students will study academic and personal vocabulary words that directly connect to and organically stem from the Embedded Assessments and texts in each unit of study.

SpringBoard sequences academic vocabulary words within instructional material to strategically and systematically build vocabulary knowledge both vertically and horizontally. The academic vocabulary words are introduced, reinforced and refined throughout the unit and/or year; students will document their progression towards mastery in the Vocabulary section of their Interactive Notebook and Unit Reflections.

After reading and signing the syllabus agreement, please remove the signature page and return it to Miss. Merkle on or before September 12, 2013. Please keep your syllabus in the front of your 3-ring binder.

Miss Merkle

20 August 2013

7th Grade Language Arts

Syllabus Acknowledgement

I have read the above syllabus and hereby agree to abide by the rules and regulations laid out in this document and in the MDMS Code of Conduct. By signing this syllabus, I understand the expectations of the class. In addition, I understand the Lake County Public School’s Honor Code. Should I decide not to abide by the rules and regulations as stated in the course syllabus and Code of Conduct Handbook, I will accept the consequences outlined therein.

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Student SignatureParent Signature Date Teacher Initials