Syllabus

Classroom Policies, Procedures, and Information

7^th Grade English: Writing – Mrs. Nielson

480-524-7500          abigail.nielson@nebo.edu

Course Objectives:

Students will complete and demonstrate proficiency with I Can tasks each term that are the essential skills for 7^th Grade English.

Students will write daily in their Writer’s Notebooks and produce one anthology piece per term.

Students will use mentor texts to write proficiently in a variety of genres, focusing on understanding task, purpose and audience for each genre.

Students will read and analyze short stories, novels, poetry, and non-fiction texts.

Materials:

Students need to acquire a composition notebook or spiral notebook to keep in class. This is needed by Monday, August 27^th. Students also need to have a writing utensil in class every day. If students forget materials, they can trade in something important to them to borrow from me. When they give back my stuff, I give back their stuff.

Class Behavior and Rules:

Drawing from Diamond Fork’s core values of respect, compassion, courage, integrity, and perseverance, in Mrs. Nielson’s 7^th grade classroom we respect people, opinions, and property.

1. Raise hand and be called on to speak during full-class instruction.
2. Actively participate and share opinions.
3. Speak respectfully and respond respectfully to others’ opinions.
4. Come prepared for class.
5. Respect everyone’s property and person in class.

Discipline Plan:

1. Warning
2. Conference with teacher after class
3. Parent notification/conference or office referral

Late Work, Absences:

• Because homework will be kept to a minimum in this class, students will be given ample time to finish class work and projects during class time. However, if students need additional time, they will be expected to work outside of class in order to meet deadlines. I am available before or after school and during T-Time for students to get extra help. SIS will be updated every week so that students know if there are any missing assignments. If there are missing assignments, students are expected to work on them during T-Time.
• Writing projects that have been turned in on time and graded can be revised if students wish to improve that grade. Late work cannot receive an A. If you have extenuating circumstances, talk to me outside of class time and we can create a plan for you.
• After an absence, students are responsible for meeting with Mrs. Nielson to collect any missing work.

Technology:

• A lot of assignments will be turned in through Google Classroom. Students will use Chrome Books in class, but can also access their work outside of class from any computer.
• Per school policy, cell phones are not allowed during class time as a general rule. If I see a cell phone on a student’s desk, I will take the cell phone and students can retrieve it from the front office at the end of the day. If you have extenuating circumstances, talk to me about them outside of class.

Grading:

Grade scale follows the school handbook guidelines. Grades are based on the standards of 7^th Grade English and will be assessed through discussion, participation, in-class work, independent reading, projects, quizzes, and tests.

Privacy:

We will be doing a lot of writing this year, and students are encouraged to write about what is meaningful to them, including their experiences. The writer’s notebook is graded on completion, and students are free to write whatever they choose based off of the prompts given in class. While I do want you to feel comfortable sharing with me, I am legally obligated as a teacher to report incidents of abuse, crime, and mental health instability.

Please complete the form below. It will ask for contact information and a confirmation that you read through the syllabus.