7th Grade English, Language Arts, Mrs. Shields
During the year, we will be studying four units. In seventh grade, we will be studying mythology, short stories,
mystery, and a writing unit (strategic writer). All four units will emphasize essay writing and creative writing. Major writing projects and presentations will be anounced to you in a letter. Assessments are given quarterly. We review in class throughout each quarter.
All students should be using their agenda books to write down their homework assignments.This website will be updated weekly, if not daily. Some notes will be available (time permitting).
The on level classes will be studying the mythology unit first, followed by short stories, mystery unit, and ending the year with strategic writing. The GT classes will be studying the writing unit, short stories, mystery, and mythology. Essay writing will be taking place throughout all four units.
Approximate Grade Breakdown:
89.5%-100%=A Homework=10%
79.5%-89.4%=B Written Papers and Projects-40%
69.5%-79.4%=C Classwork (drills, quizzes, in-class writing)=40%
59.5%-69.4%=D Participation=5%
--------59.4%=E Assessments=5%
Please contact me via email
Updated daily:
WELCOME LETTER:
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great summer. I am looking forward to an exciting year in English class. This letter is a brief overview of our plans and policies for the school year. After reading over and discussing the following expectations and guidelines, please sign and return this letter to me (Mrs. Shields).
We will be studying four units in seventh grade English: Strategic Writing, Mythology, Short Stories, and Mystery. Students will be exposed to many types of writing such as essays, short stories, character sketches, persuasive writing and more. The local assessments are given quarterly and count as a test grade. We do review in class throughout each quarter. Each student will keep a writing folder in the room that will be evaluated at the end of the year. The evaluation will be based upon the individual’s growth in the writing process, language development, creativity, and proofreading.
Classroom Expectations
1. All students are expected to come to class prepared with an organized English notebook. There should be three sections: drills, classwork, homework. All graded papers should be kept until instructed to clean out notebooks (after every quarter). This will help to avoid possible discrepancies come grade time.
2. Each student will be given three homework extension passes for the year. Each pass will allow a student to receive full credit on a HOMEWORK assignment that was not turned in on time. To receive full credit, the missed assignment must be handed in within one week of the original due date. It is a student’s responsibility to obtain missed work due to an absence.
3. Major assignments and projects will be announced to you in advance (through a detailed letter with guidelines).
4. Students are encouraged to respect themselves, their classmates, and their teachers.
As parents and guardians, I would like to encourage you to be active participants in your child’s English education this year. I am looking forward to working with the students and hope that by the end of the year every one will discover that writing can be enjoyable! If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please feel free to email (heather_shields@hcpss.org) or call me at the school (410) 313-5545. You can also access information on my
website (go to Mount View’s site and click on my name).
HOMEWORK
Have a safe, relaxing summer!
