Mrs. Kristina Ostrow
7th Grade Language Arts
Lake Nona Middle School
2015-2016
Welcome to seventh grade language arts! Get ready for a very productive year!
The main focus of this class is success. To achieve this, we will be focusing on enhancing students’ language arts skills with a strong emphasis on reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language strategies. Students today are 21st century learners. To be successful in this class and prepared for college and career, students will learn to problem-solve, think critically, and communicate effectively. Our curriculum provides a strong framework that will help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to achieve our goal of success. It is crucial that students participate in all class activities, complete all work on time, and submit quality work.
GRADING SCALE
90-100 (A) 80-89 (B) 70-79 (C) 60-69 (D) 59 & below (F)
EVALUATION
Students will be graded on the following:
Reading: 35% Writing: 35% Classwork: 20% Homework/Participation: 10%
REQUIREMENTS & SUPPLIES
All students must come to school prepared to learn. This means that students must come to school equipped with the required supplies that are necessary to participate in class assignments and activities.
For your student’s language arts class, the following supplies are needed:
One—3 subject spiral notebook (preferably 138 sheets or more Mead Five Star)
Two—3-prong folders with 2 pockets
Four—rolls of Scotch tape (donation only)
*pencils or pens *loose-leaf paper *highlighters (*must be replenished throughout the year)
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
At Lake Nona Middle School, educating and meeting the needs of every child is our number one priority. Therefore, any interference with the educational process is unacceptable. The expectations are as follows:
· Be respectful of yourself and to others.
· Follow directions the first time given.
· Remain seated at all times, unless otherwise directed by the teacher.
· Raise your hand to speak and wait to be called on by the teacher before speaking.
· No food, drinks (except for water), gum, or candy allowed in the classroom.
· Come to class PREPARED and ON TIME every day.
· ALL cell phones & electronic devices must be turned off and NOT visible!
· Mrs. Ostrow will dismiss students at the end of the period, not the bell.
CONSEQUENCES
1st infraction—Verbal Warning 3rd infraction—Parent Contact
2nd infraction—Teacher Consequence (behavior reflection) 4th infraction—Discipline Referral
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
Entering Room: Students will enter the room quietly and take their assigned seats. ALL backpacks will be placed under seats or on the back of students’ chairs; backpacks are not to be on desks or laps. Students will begin their bell work assignment in the Bell Work section of their Interactive Notebook (IAN) immediately. They will also copy any reminders and homework in agenda EVERYDAY. This is NOT the time for socializing.
Restroom Passes
Due to Lake Nona Middle School’s 10/10 policy for restroom use, there will be no bathroom passes given the first ten minutes and the last ten minutes of class. During class, students are asked to wait to use the restroom until after assignment directions are given and understood. Students will be given four (4) bathroom passes per nine (9) weeks in my class. Please assist me in encouraging the students to use their passes wisely in order to maximize their learning time in class.
Make-Up Work
It is essential that students are present everyday to help maximize their learning. If for any valid reason a student is absent, it is their responsibility to make up their work. They will be given a reasonable amount of time to complete the work. As a courtesy to students and parents, I created a blog where most work is posted (please be patient, as it is a work in progress J). Visit http://teacherpress.ocps.net/kristinaostrow.
Late Work
Students are given sufficient time in class and at home to complete assignments. The expectation is for ALL students to submit their work ON TIME. In the best interest and fairness to ALL students, the late work policy has a grace period, but there is a penalty. No assignment will be accepted after its due date without a penalty. It is in the students’ best interest to submit all work on time. Missing work will have a negative effect on grades. No late work will be accepted after the grace period.
For further details on the late work policy, please see the attached Late Work Policy handout. Your signature is required.
Contact Information
I am looking forward to an exciting school year! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email at or at 407-858-5522 ext. 5344217.
Cut along dotted line and return to class.
Mrs. Ostrow’s 7th Grade Language Arts Class
By signing below, you are acknowledging that you have read and understood our classroom syllabus.
______
Print Student Name (first & last) Student Signature Date
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Print Parent/Guardian Name (first & last) Parent/Guardian Signature Date
Parent Contact Information:
Phone: ______Cell: ______
Parent Email: ______(VERY IMPORTANT)
Late Work Policy
Mrs. Ostrow’s Language Arts Class
Make Up Work (Absent Students ONLY)
In order for students to maximize their learning and reach their fullest potential, they must attend school regularly. There will always be circumstances where a student must be absent, however, as it relates to their classroom and school performance, please ensure your child
makes up any and all missing work. Absences do not excuse a student from any classwork and homework assignments (*excludes DERs). Absent students will be allotted ample opportunity to make up missing work. It is the responsibility of all students to make up their work in the time allotted. There are many ways a student can get the work missed when absent. They should visit the Class Blog where most assignments are posted (http://teacherpress.ocps.net/kristinaostrow). Students can also ask a classmate for help. Students can also review ProgressBook and look for missing and posted assignments. Finally, students can check with me for any handouts, clarification for understanding, and to ask questions regarding the missed work.
Late Work
Students are given sufficient time in class and at home to complete assignments. The expectation is for ALL students to submit their work ON TIME. Students needing extra time (per documentation of a 504 or IEP) will be given a reasonable amount of time to complete their work (*excludes DERs). In the best interest and fairness to ALL students, the late work policy is as follows:
No assignment will be accepted after its due date without a penalty.
1-7 calendar days late = ½ credit and submitted with a Late Work Reflection*
*Please see teacher, ProgressBook or class blog for Late Work Reflection.
NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED AFTER GRACE PERIOD!
Daily Exit Reflections (DERs)
Due to the purpose and nature of the Daily Exit Reflections (DERs), students are excluded from DERs when they are absent. These reflections are designed for students to self-monitor and reflect on their daily learning at the end of a lesson or at home that same day. They cannot reflect on a lesson taught if they were not present in class. Since DERs are counted as a classwork grade, it is the student’s responsibility to label any and all missing DERs with “Absent” when they are not present in school. Please note, that students do need to make up daily bell work assignments.
By signing below, you understand the policies set forth in Mrs. Ostrow’s Language Arts class.
Student Name (Print): ______Date: ______
Date: ______Parent Name (Print): ______
Parent Name (signature): ______
Please, return this form to class no later than Friday, August 28, 2015.