Cosby Elementary School
English Language Arts
2019-2020 Syllabus
Part 1: Course InformationInstructor Information Instructor: Mrs. Brooke Davenport
School Telephone: 423-487-3850
Personal Cell Phone: 865-403-2044 (text or call between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.)
E-mail: [email protected]
Aspen- Student grades and academic information is available
throughout the year on Aspen, each student will get a handout with this
password at the beginning of each year (if you have not reset your
password).
Course Description This course is a combination of language arts and literature. The literacy skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, comprehending, and thinking are taught. Students gain practice in grammar, punctuation, and writing skills. Assignments include all writing modes identified by the State of Tennessee: persuasive, narrative, and expository. I believe writing is a skill students will use throughout life, and writing, using critical evidence, can help students develop comprehension on various topics. Students will be taught how to develop ideas and organize them into a coherent work. Students will continue learning to use strong word choice, sentence fluency, and their own unique voice. Expanding vocabulary will also be a priority as this further enhances comprehension. In literature we read classic and contemporary literature, including short stories, dramas, and nonfiction. Personal connections, interpretations, and responses to literature are made to show understanding of the text.
Overall, my goal is to help students understand how critical thought, reading and writing will continue to propel them forward throughout their lives, no matter the classes they take or the careers they choose. I look forward to getting to know your child. I know each has their own gifts, talents, interests and experiences.
Textbook & Course MaterialsProvided Texts and Resources
- I am Malala
- A Christmas Carol
- Touching Spirit Bear
- Common Core/Performance Coach
- Articles from other sources such as www.readworks.org or www.commonlit.org
*Teacher will supply any required texts that will be used throughout the year. There is one class set provided, so students will not be bringing them home.
Course Structure
- This class is a combination of lecture, discussion, and activity-based lessons.
- No Red Ink
Part 2: Student Learning Outcomes● Student learning outcomes are listed in the table in Part 3 of the syllabus.
● As students master the standards, they will demonstrate independence; build strong content knowledge; respond to the varying demands of audience, task, purpose, and discipline; comprehend as well as critique; value evidence; use technology and digital media strategically and capably; and come to understand other perspectives and cultures.
English Language Arts
2019-2020 Syllabus
Part 3: Topic Outline/Schedule2019-2020
Overview of 7th Grade ELA
Nine Weeks
Unit
Approximate Time*
First Nine Weeks
*This is subject to change slightly at the teacher’s discretion.
- Unit 1: Informational Writing
- Objective: Use SRSD to write an informational essay
- Unit 2: Historical Nonfiction/Historical Fiction
- Objectives:
- Read, identify and analyze different types of historical texts
- Identify point of view in historical texts
- Explain the difference between primary and secondary sources
- Explain how text structures organize historical texts
- Identify graphic features and their use in historical texts
- Apply vocabulary strategies to understand the meaning of domain-specific vocabulary
- Unit 3: Creating Change
- Objectives:
- Read, identify and analyze different types of historical texts
- Identify point of view in historical texts
- Explain the difference between primary and secondary sources
- Explain how text structures organize historical texts
- Identify graphic features and their use in historical texts
- Apply vocabulary strategies to understand the meaning of domain-specific vocabulary
3 weeks
4 weeks
Second Nine Weeks
*This is subject to change slightly at the teacher’s discretion.
- Unit 4: Argument (Writing)
- Objective: Use SRSD to write an argumentative essay
- Unit 5: Persuasive Nonfiction
- Objectives:
- Recognize types of persuasive texts and identify their purpose
- Evaluate how an author supports claims with relevant reasons and evidence
- Classify types of evidence an author can use to support an argument
- Recognize opposing arguments and rebuttals
- Identify bias and use of persuasive techniques
- Recognize the use of persuasive language
- Unit 6 : Drama
- Objectives:
- Identify the elements of drama
- Analyze the role of setting in creating mood
- Interpret figurative and antiquated language
- Explain how dialogue and setting reveal theme
- Explain how dialogue reveals point of view
- Unit 7: A Christmas Carol
- How does Dickens reveal the changing character of Ebenezer Scrooge, including personality and motivation?
- How is valuing people over material possessions an important life lesson?
- How can selflessness lead to redemption?
2 weeks
1 week
4 – 5 weeks
Third Nine Weeks
*This is subject to change slightly at the teacher’s discretion.
- Unit 8: Keep Nature in Our Future
- What are our responsibilities to future generations?
- How do our choices affect us?
- What can we learn from nature to improve our common future?
- What happens to ecosystems when the environment changes?
- Unit 9: Narrative Writing
- Objective: Students will write a narrative to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques.
- Unit 10: Touching Spirit Bear
- How does an individual’s point of view affect the way they deal with conflict?
- How are people transformed through their relationships with others?
- How do decisions, actions, and consequences vary depending on the different perspectives of the people involved?
- What turning points determine our individual pathways to adulthood?
2 weeks
4 weeks (can go into 4th nine weeks)
Fourth Nine Weeks
*This is subject to change slightly at the teacher’s discretion.
- Unit 11: Poetry
- Objectives:
- examine the structure of a poem
- Analyze the use of rhyme, rhythm, meter, repetition, and alliteration in poetry
- Interpret figurative language in poems
- Identify point of view, theme and tone in poetry
- Categorize poetry by type
- Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words
- Unit 12: Scientific and Technical Texts
- Objectives:
- Read and analyze scientific and technical texts
- Explain text structures that organize scientific and technical texts
- Define the use and purpose of graphic features in scientific and technical texts
- Apply vocabulary strategies to determine the meaning of domain-specific vocabulary
2 weeks
7th Grade English/Language Arts
2019-2020 Syllabus
Part 4: Grading PolicyGraded Course ActivitiesAssignments for details about each assignment listed below. This is not a list of ALL assignments we will complete, but it is a list of the major assignments.
1st 9 Weeks
Points
Description
100
Unit 1 Informational Essay
100
Unit 2 Culminating Task/Test on Historical Texts
100
Unit 3 Creating Change Culminating Task
100 per assignment
- 8/22 Fiction book report due (8/2-8/22)
- 9/12 Non-fiction book report due (8/23-9/12)
- 10/3 Biography book report due (9/13-10/3)
2nd 9 Weeks
Points
Description
100
Unit 4 Argumentative Essay
100
Unit 5 Culminating Task/Test on Persuasive Non-fiction
100
Unit 6 Culmination Task/Test on Drama
100
Unit 7 A Christmas Carol Culminating Task
100 per assignment
- 10/31 Fiction book report due (10/4-10/31)
- 11/21 Non-fiction book report due (11/1-11/21)
- 12/16 Unit 7 Victorian Project due (11/18-12/16)
Field Trip….if possible
Possible Field Trip to see the play, A Christmas Carol, in December…more information to follow
3rd 9 Weeks
Points
Description
100
Unit 8 Keeping Nature in Our Future Culminating Task
100
Narrative Essay
100
Unit 10 Touching Spirit Bear Culminating Task
100 per assignment
- 01/23 Biography book report due (01/06-01/23)
- 02/20 Fiction book report due (01/24-02/20)
- 03/12 Non-fiction book report due (02/21-03/12)
***Due dates will be adjusted due to inclement weather days if necessary.
4th 9 Weeks
Points
Description
100
Unit 11 Poetry Culminating Task/Test
100
Unit 12 Scientific and Technical Texts Culminating Task/Test
100 per assignment
- 04/03 Totem Project due (project in relation to unit 10 and will be assigned on 03/09)
- 04/30 Biography book report due (4/13-4/30)
- Possible research presentations due 05/14 if time permits.
***Due dates will be adjusted due to inclement weather days if necessary.
Late Work Policy Be sure to pay close attention to deadlines—10 points will be deducted per day an assignment is late. After 1 week the assignment will no longer be accepted and a zero will be given. If you are absent, you will have 3 days to make up the work from the day you missed (I will be happy to assist you with make-up work before school, after school, or during library, guidance, art, music, or computer lab. Please arrange this with me before showing up.)
Viewing Grades in ASPEN Points you receive for graded activities will be posted to the ASPEN Grade Book. Click on the My Grades link on the left navigation to view your points.
Letter Grade AssignmentLetter Grade
Percentage
A
93-100
B
85-92
C
75-84
D
70-74
F
0-69
Final grades assigned for this course will be based on the percentage of total points earned and are assigned as follows: Important note: For more information about grading for Cocke County Schools, visit the academic policies and grading section of the school system website.
7th Grade English/Language Arts
2019-2020 Syllabus
Part 5: Course PoliciesAttend ClassStudents are expected to attend all class sessions as listed on the course calendar.
- 3 tardies equals 1 absence. Please arrive to school on time.
- When students miss school they miss all of the instruction and collaboration. Making up the work is not the same as being present. Please try to be here if at all possible.
- I understand some absences are unavoidable. My make-up work policy is listed above with my later work policy.
Complete Assignments Assignments must be submitted by the given deadline or special permission must be requested from instructor before the due date. Extensions will not be given beyond the next assignment except under extreme circumstances. I will accept assignments up to 1 week after they are due, but I take points 10 points off per day.
All daily task assignments must be completed by the assignment due date and time. Late or missing daily task assignments will affect the student’s grade.
Incomplete Policy Under emergency circumstances, students may petition for an incomplete grade. An incomplete will only be assigned if an emergency prevented the student from completing on time. All incomplete course assignments must be completed within 1 week. I need to see what has been completed towards the assignment, and will then allow them to complete without penalty.
Academic Dishonesty Policy
- Academic dishonesty includes such things as cheating, inventing false information or citations, plagiarism and helping someone else commit an act of academic dishonesty. It usually involves an attempt by a student to show possession of a level of knowledge or skill that he/she does not possess.
- If I am convinced by evidence that academic dishonesty has occurred I will contact the parents of all involved. Students involved will either take a zero OR do an alternate assignment. If this is a persistent issue other consequences will occur.
- If I feel there is reasonable doubt that the student knew the action constituted academic dishonesty then on the first offense there will be an oral reprimand.
- The word BROWNIE will be on the board each day for each class.
- Each class has a brownie point pan.
- Each day that BROW stays on the board the class will get a brownie point on the pan.
- If we get below BRO then a brownie point will be taken off the board.
- Letters will be lost for not following class rules or being disruptive in the halls.
- This is about class behavior as a group.
- When a pan is full the class earns a food treat (brownies, cookies, doughnuts…) or lunch in the room. We can vote to decide what reward is earned.
- Respect yourself
- Respect others-students and teachers
- Respect the classroom and school
- Only sharpen pencils during bell work.
- Be responsible, prepared for class, and on task.
- Do your best!
- Follow all school rules.
We use a circle board where students get a mark for breaking a rule to keep up with what rules were broken and what punishment should be received.
- Warning
- Silent lunch, 5 minutes loss of outside PA
- Isolated Seating, 10 minutes loss of outside PA
- Call Home/Note Home/Conference, loss of all outside PA
- Office Referral
**Extreme misbehavior will result in an automatic parent communication and office referral.
Additional Information:
My pens, pencils, and highlighters provided by me should NOT be taken out of the classroom.
Students are welcome to get a sharpened pencil from the sharp container if they need a pencil during class (or use one in the table basket). These pencils should be returned at the end of class.
Bathroom Passes:
Students will be given 3 bathroom passes per semester to use during class time. Students are also given a bathroom break at 8:55, 10:25, 12:10, 12:45, and 2:10.
Routing for entering the classroom:
- Enter quietly.
- Make sure you have all needed materials and that your pencil is sharpened.
- Go to desk and begin bell work.
- This is a time to get started on work, and is not a time for socializing.
Student Testing Code of Ethics and Security
It is important for you as a student to know that the following guidelines are to be strictly followed. This year the TNReady test will count at least 10% of your final semester grade. Your work on this test is very important and it deserves your best effort.
I understand that during testing on the days of the assessment, I am responsible for:
- Not having any electronic devices on me or in my purse/backpack/pockets
- Including but not limited to cell phones, smart phones, smart watches, etc. during testing or during breaks.
- Best practice is for students to leave devices at home or in their lockers on the day of testing.
- If I am caught with a device during testing or during breaks, my test may be nullified, resulting in a zero as at least 10% of my final semester grade, and any school level disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the administration.
- Trying my best on the test
- If I do not attempt to test (I give no answers or randomly answer questions) my test score may be nullified, resulting in a zero as at least 10% of my final semester grade, and any school level disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the administration.
- The testing administrators and proctors in the testing environment will determine if no answers or random answering is taking place.
- I will focus and put forth effort on the test.
- Being honest and not cheating
- If I am caught cheating (taking pictures of the test, writing down and passing answers, talking to other students, looking on other computers, using software outside the testing platform), my test may be nullified, resulting in a zero as at least 10% of my final semester grade, and any school level disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the administration.
Important Note: Any form of academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, may be reported to the office.
Course policies are subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to check for corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any changes will be posted in the classroom.