7th Grade Language Arts Syllabus

							         7th Grade Language Arts Syllabus
Mr. Daniels
Indian Trail Middle School
cdanielsit@olatheschools.org
Individual plan hour: 2nd hour
Team plan hour: 4th hour
(913) 780-7230
Room 135

Course Description: This class will cover a wide variety of skills in reading, writing, and
speaking, including all of the following: vocabulary, text structures, literary devices, 6-Trait
writing, reference materials, story elements, poetry, narratives, creative writing, research papers,
expository writing, persuasive writing, technical writing, and oral presentations.

Reading Materials: We will begin the year by using our textbooks for a short story unit. Please
follow Mr. Daniels’ calendar on his web page to find out which stories are being read (see last
page of syllabus for instructions on how to access the calendar). We will then begin a unit on
Rodman Philbrick’s novel, Freak the Mighty. Following that we will read S.E. Hinton’s novel,
The Outsiders. We will likewise be doing a literature circle unit where the students will have the
option of reading any of the following books: Tangerine by Edward Bloor, My Louisiana Sky
by Kimberly Willis Holt, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. Parents can
check out extra copies of the novels if they would like to read the books with their student.

Materials: Students must bring the following items to class every day, unless Mr. Daniels tells
them otherwise:
   1. Pen or pencil
   2. Notebook paper
   3. Grading pen
   4. Textbook and/or novel we are reading
   5. Agenda
   6. Free read book
   7. Assignments/handouts

Class Rules:
   1. Arrive prompt, prepared, and ready to learn.
           Students are expected to be in their seats working on their “bell work” once the
             bell rings.
   2. Respect ALL individuals.
           This includes other students, the teacher, and any visitors.
   3. Only work on Language Arts.
           Working on any other core subject without permission is not tolerated.
   4. Students are dismissed only when I say so.
           Students shall remain seated until I give them the OK to leave—even if the bell
             has already rung.
   5. Be positive and have fun!!!
Class Expectations:
   1. Students are responsible for getting their own makeup work if they are absent. Parents
       can request it be sent to the office at the end of the day if they would like.

   2. Students should turn their makeup work directly into Mr. Daniels. DO NOT put it in the
      black trays on the counter. These trays are for passing papers back, not turning papers in.

   3. Students can only leave their seats when I give them permission to do so. Students
      should request permission to leave by raising their hands.

   4. Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings. They will be counted tardy
      if they are anywhere else in or out of the room.

   5. Students are expected to have an organization system to keep track of assignments. A
      three-ring binder with folders or dividers is preferred.

   6. Students are expected to sign in and out on the SIGN IN SHEET located by the door if
      they leave class or arrive late for any reason.

   7. If students do not have their homework, they are required to fill out a homework “think
      sheet” located on the counter to explain why it is missing.

   8. Students are expected to be quiet once the bell chime rings. They will be required to get
      quiet and raise their hands in the air to show others it is time to listen.


Academic Honesty: Students are expected to adhere to all the rules and regulations of academic
honesty. The following will NOT be tolerated in my classroom:

   1. Copying tests, quizzes, homework, or writing assignments of others.
   2. Using cheat notes during a test or quiz.
   3. Looking at a neighbor’s paper during a test or quiz.
   4. Helping other students by letting students look at a test or quiz.
   5. Allowing other students to use their homework or compositions.
   6. Plagiarize from reference resources. PLAGIARISM is defined as “the offering of
      another’s work for your own” (New American Webster Dictionary, pg. 348).
   7. Copying answers word for word from a text or study guide without quotation marks.
   8. Reading internet sites or Cliff’s Notes rather than the assigned reading.
   9. Telling quiz or test questions to students who missed class or students in other English
      hours.

        The consequences for breaking any of the above laws of academic honesty may result in
any of the following consequences:

             An automatic zero on the assignment.
             A two-page essay discussing academic honesty
             Direct parental notification
             Notification of counselor and/or principal
             Possible disqualification from academic awards/scholarships
Grading: The grading scale will be as follows:
    A = 90 – 100%
    B = 80 – 89%
    C = 70 – 79%
    D = 60 – 69%
    F = 59 – below

        Mr. Daniels has the option of moving a grade up if the student is within one percent of
the next highest level and has worked hard in class with limited missing work. The grade for 1st
and 2nd quarter will be averaged for the 1st semester grade, and the grades for 3rd and 4th quarter
will be averaged for the 2nd semester grade.

* Mr. Daniels will do his best to send grade reports out to parents on Friday. If you would like
a grade report sent to you, please copy your e-mail below.*

Web site/calendar: This feature will benefit both students AND parents. Every week Mr.
Daniels will update the calendar on his web site to show upcoming assignments, quizzes, tests,
and projects. This is an excellent tool for many reasons:
   1. It helps students/parents know what assignments are coming up.
   2. Students can get missing work easily if they are absent.
   3. Parents can double-check homework that has been assigned.
   4. Students can retrieve extra copies of assignments if they happen to lose the original copy.

You can access the calendar by going through the following steps:

       1. Go to the Indian Trail web site at http://schools.olatheschools.com/indiantrail/ It might
          be wise to save this web site as a favorite on your computer.
       2. Click on “academics” on the top of the page.
       3. Find Mr. Daniels’ name and click on “classroom information.”

The web site may be under construction for the first few weeks of class as I prepare it for the
new school year. I will notify the students as soon as it is up and running. Thank you for your
patience.



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WE HAVE READ THE ABOVE PASSAGES ABOUT MR. DANIELS’ CLASSROOM
AND PROMISE TO ABIDE BY ALL THE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

____________________________                                                                          _____________________________
Student                                                                                               Parent/guardian

                                                                                                      _____________________________
                                                                                                      Parent/guardian e-mail
                                                                                                      (If you would like weekly grade reports)
Date signed _______