ELA

Mrs. Deborah Pickett

Instructor Planning Period for Appointments

(Thursday 8 am)

314-652-9282 School PhoneExt. 21103

Compton-Drew ILC Middle School-1-ELA, Mrs. D. Pickett

English Language Arts 2017-2018

Course Description: English Language Artswill be taught using a novel during each quarter. This course is designed to promote learning in ELA that allows all students to foster learning and to improve comprehension in reading and to develop and improve writing skills. Students will become analytical by having provided to them notes and a variety of graphic organizers to determine which skill to use during independent work. Short poems, narratives, essays, and letters are some of the writing skills used to practice the “author in them”. Texts read consists of both fiction and non-fictionin various forms. Students read from self-selected novels in addition to assigned reading during class. My goal this year is to promote all students reading all of the time. To accomplish this, we need students reading books at home they enjoy.

Text(s): Prentice-Hall Writing and Grammar

Novels:

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai, We Beat the Streets, Sharon Draper; The Pact, Lisa Frazier Page; A Mighty Long Way (memoir)by Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page, A Raisin in the Sun, a play written by Lorraine Hansberry

A Variety of in class novels for independent reading

Methods of Instruction: There will be a variety of instruction integrated in the class. They include, but are not limited to teacher led instruction;teacher led small group work, cooperative learning, independent work, workstation activities, peer tutoring and research.The work is rigorous and requires student focus throughout the class to avoid falling behind in instruction.Therefore, students must come with the mindset to do their best. To that end, one area I will reinforce with my students is that all can learn and they must understand that learning is a process and sometimes it will be require more effort.

Course Objectives: Based upon SLPS standards, students are expected to show mastery of grade level content in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Doing so will require them to read from a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as write for a variety of audiences and purposes. In doing so, they will acquire valuable textual analysis, reading comprehension, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Library books are checked out and they must be returned on or before the due date or at an agreed upon time by the librarian. Finally, students are expected to read in and out of the classroom.Reading homework is assigned daily; students should read self-selected novels at home. Weekly book reports are written to reflect the reading taking place each evening at home.If teacher selected class books are available, students will sign out novels for the duration of study for each quarter.Lost books must be are payed by the student.

Assignments:The assignments consists of a daily do now, classwork, participation, exit slips, homework and independent reading, and other activities. Class work is expected to be completed on a daily basis unless otherwise stated. The assignments are presented on the overhead projector and explained and modeled. Guidelines must be followed when an assignment is accompanied by a scoring guide.

Late Assignments Policy

Late classwork is accepted Friday of the assigned week. There will be points deducted from work that was due the next day. Grade 8 will not have Make-Up days.

Exams/Tests/ Quizzes:A district created assessment will be given each five-week period. Additionally, do now quizzes will be given weekly, entrance/exit cards will be used to check understanding daily. Therefore, it is important for students to come on time daily prepared to complete all assignments to the best of his or her ability.

Grading Criteria: Compton-Drew ILC uses a whole school policy consisting of the items listed below:

Class work 35% Grading Scale: 100-90% A

Class participation 15% 89 -80% B

Homework 20% 79-70% C

Tests 15% 69-60% D

Projects 15% 59% below F

Course Requirements:

Required reading texts (see texts listed above)

Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend school daily and to be on time to class as outlined in the Compton-Drew Student and Parent Handbook.

Homework Policy: Homework is due Friday of the week assigned. When homework is due the next day, students still have until Friday, with points deducted. Reading is assigned as homework daily, at the end of the week a written summary is due on Friday as the student enters the class. Work is late when it is not turned in on the due date and time. Parents if you purchase of any of the listed novels it would be very helpful.

Make Up Work Policy: Students are given an opportunity each week to turn in late assignments. See late homework policy.

Classroom Routines & Procedures

Bring to class daily:

  • 4 sharpened pencils
  • Assigned novel
  • ELA notebook
  • Composition book (remains in class)
  • Independent novel student is reading
  1. Entering the classroom–Enter silently and politely. Immediately sit down and begin the do now.
  2. Exiting the classroom- When given directions, stand up quietly; push in your chair; take all necessary items; when called line up in alphabetical order without touching others or talking; silently face the front of the line; watch where you are going; throw away trash as you exit; remain in the line with your class section until entering your next class. The hall is a quiet area.
  3. Leaving the room–Get permission before leaving the room for any reason, use an assigned hall pass.
  4. Leaving your seat – You must raise your hand for permission.
  5. Tardiness – You are late to class if you are not in line when the class enters the classroom Excessive tardiness will result in a referral.
  6. Absences – It is your responsibility to make up any assignments in a timely manner. Check with me for assignments the last ten minutes of class.
  7. Cell Phones/Electronic Devices-Per district policy, cell phones are not permitted in the building. If seen in class phones may be confiscated, and returned by the administration on Fridays.
  8. Obtaining help with assignments – raise your hand to get help from me; if you are working with a group, quietly ask them for help in understanding how you do the assignment before asking me. Keep voices at a ‘one’ in volume in groups. Independent work is done at zero.
  9. Handing in finished work/homework–Check to make sure your heading is on your paper with a title and then place the work in your core’s tray when I ask you to do so.
  10. Restroom–Restroom breaks are before school, related arts, core 2, and during lunch. Students may not leave the room the first and last ten minutesof class.
  1. Heading your paper– As soon as you get a paper, complete the directions for headings on your paper.

Example:

Name Advisory/class period Date: August 16, 2017

Jane-Marie Alexis 103/3 August 17, 2016

Title of Assignment, page number

  1. Throwing away trash/ recycling paper– Trash is placed in the trash can as you leave on your way to the next class. Place all paper for recycling in the recycling bin on your way to the next class.
  2. Using the classroom library – When you complete your seatwork, you may read silently, Do Not Disturb Others.
  3. Fire drill– Stop everything; stand up and assemble in a line at the door quickly with the teacher, but without running or pushing to exit the building; do not cover your ears; do not make any side trips; wait patiently, calmly, and quietly in your designated area in line outside until we are allowed to go inside; remain with your group while waiting.
  4. Signals for attention– When I need your attention, I will raise an open hand. As soon as you see the signal, silently stop what you are doing, help others to see, look at me, and listen for directions. I use a variety of methods based upon need.

Written Assignments and Academic Misconduct: All written work submitted must be the student’s original work and conform to the guidelines provided by the teacher. This means that any substantive ideas, phrases, sentences, and/or any published ideas must be properly referenced to avoid even the appearance of plagiarism. It is the student’s responsibility to know all relevant school policies concerning plagiarism. Any documented cases of plagiarism can and will result in a failing grade.

Compton-Drew ILC Middle School-1-ELA, Mrs. D. Pickett