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ASPIRE Community Day School

English 7
2015-2016

Instructor: Mrs. Heidi Ackerman


Office hours M,T, Th, F 8:00-8:30
M-F 3:20-3:50

E-mail:hackerman@hemetusd.org
Phone: (951) 929-3071

Course Description:
Language Arts encompasses reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills that
are foundational and necessary for all self-expression. You will be expected to apply
current skills and knowledge, as well as what you acquire throughout the year, to express
yourself in a unique, composed, coherent, and logical way. It is important that you
develop your own style and voice within the guidelines of appropriate and well-thoughtout speaking and writing choices.
Goals:
To inspire, prepare and connect all students for high-school success.
To provide the skills and knowledge necessary to compete in the 21st century.
To encourage collaboration, to make meaning of any text, and to communicate effectively in
speech and writing.
Units:
Unit I: From Print to Performance
Unit II: Reading Informational Text
Unit III: Painting with Words
Unit IV: We All Need a Hero
Unit V: Time Capsule
Unit VI: Newspaper
Novels:
Semester 1: Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Semester 2: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Classroom Expectations:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Be in the classroom and seated when the bell rings.


Follow directions the first time they are given.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Use appropriate language; no put-downs, teasing, or other inappropriate words.

Classroom Procedures/Expectations:
A. Homework Completion- For homework to be considered complete, all parts of the homework must be
complete. Dont forget to read all directions and refer back to the rubrics.
B. Handing in Homework- Homework must be handed in to the appropriate place when it is requested and
before you leave class for the day.
C. Entering the classroom- After shaking Mrs. Ackermans hand, you will enter the classroom quietly, grab a
Chromebook and begin working on that mornings bell ringer.
D. Welcome Back! In order to get the attention of the class after group work, Mrs. Ackerman will say
Welcome and the class will respond by saying Back. At that point you must give Mrs. Ackerman the
following four things: 1) Be silent 2) Be still 3) Track the speaker 4) Have your hands free
E. Handing in Late Homework- Late work will only be collected for a week after the original due date for a
50% grade reduction. When turning in late work, ensure that you write the original due date of the
assignment and the date that the assignment was submitted.
F. Submitting Late Projects/Essays-Every day past the due date of a project or an essay will result in a
reduction of 10% from the final grade.
G. Extra Credit-No extra credit is given unless it is an opportunity available to everyone. Please

do the coursework and do not expect extra credit to compensate for a poor grade. However, extra
credit is only available if the student has completed every assignment throughout that
quarter/semester and does not have any Ms in the gradebook. If the student has accumulated any
M(s), then they must complete the coursework for a 0 prior to participating in the extra credit
opportunity.
H. Extra Time- If you have successfully completed your class work, check it over. After you have finished
your work and checked it, you have two options:
*Read silently.
*Work ahead on homework..
*Check the tic-tac-toe board for opportunities.
I. Bathroom: The best idea is to use the bathroom during break between your classes. However, if you need
to use the bathroom during class, hold up your bathroom pass during the year. Mrs. Ackerman will let you
know whether or not you can go to the bathroom at that time. If so, she will hole punch your bathroom
pass. Before leaving class, dont forget to grab the restroom pass before leaving the class.
J. End of Class Dismissal- Mrs. Ackerman, not the sound of the bell, will tell the class when it is time to get
ready to go. When Mrs. Ackerman says, Have a good day, then students may leave the classroom or
talk with Mrs. Ackerman if they have any questions.
K. Fire/Earthquake/Emergency- For emergency drills and real emergencies, we will remain calm, and leave
the classroom, and walk to the appropriate place as one group. As we walk together, no students should
separate from the class group.
L. Cheating Policy-Cheating qualifies you out of your own education. Cheating doesnt help you learn, and
we are here to learn. The minimum punishment for cheating will be a zero on the assignment and a phone
call/email home.

Grading Policy:

10% - Class Participation


5% - Preparation
30% - Quizzes
35% - Major Tests, Projects and Essays
20% - Homework
*Subject to change.

Consequences for choosing to meet or exceed the expectations:


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The joy of learning


Verbal praise
Positive notes, emails or calls home
Notes of recognition to student
Star Bucks Tickets
How you can earn Star Bucks:
*birthdays
*outstanding behavior
*helping a classmate
*volunteering/participating in class
*hard work
*going above and beyond the expectations
What you can earn with Star Bucks Tickets:

1.
2.
3.
4.

5 Star Bucks: Extra bathroom pass


10 Star Bucks: Listen to music in one class period (during independent work time)
15 Star Bucks: Mrs. As chair for the day
20 Star Bucks: No Homework pass
Consequences for Choosing to Not Meet the Expectations:

1. Verbal or visual warning.


2. After-class, during-lunch, or after school meeting with Mrs. Ackerman (and possible call/email home).
3. Complete a behavior think sheet (due during the next class meeting), speak with Mrs. Ackerman, and
call/email home.
4. Meet with Mr. Miley and call/email home.

My Commitment to You:

Each day I will arrive and be prepared for our class. I will work to create a positive and encouraging
learning environment for our classroom. The reason I am here is for you to be successful in your
academic careers, so please ask questions and come in for extra help. I will return your homework,
quizzes, tests and projects in a timely fashion. You can expect to be challenged to pursue excellence this
year. Truly, I am extremely grateful that you are in my class this year and I cant wait to get to know you
in our time together.

With Gratitude,

Mrs. Ackerman

School Year 2015-2016 Signature Sheet

Due Back To Teacher: ___________________________________


Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,
I am so excited to start this new school year and get to know a whole new group of young men
and women! I want our classroom experience to be as positive for everyone as possible, and I
am sure that you want the same. I am asking that everyone starts this school year on the same
page and makes the commitment to hold ourselves to standards of excellence.
Students: please read and sign the first statement below.
Parents: please review the course syllabus and statement of conduct with your child and sign on
the second line.
Statement of Conduct:
I have read the two-page syllabus for English 7. I understand the class rules and expectations. I
also understand that this class will require my being in my seat and prepared by the beginning of
every class, ready to give my best effort.. I agree to take full responsibility for my behavior and
my work this year in order to create the best possible environment for myself, my teacher, and
my classmates.
Student signature

Print Name

Date

______________________________________________________________________________
______
Parent signature

Print Name

Date

______________________________________________________________________________
_____
Teacher Responsibilities:
I will honor and strive to foster student dignity in my daily classroom activities and I will teach
subject content with expertise and attention to detail. In addition, I will make myself available
for student help and parent support.

Mrs. Ackerman

8-10-15

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