School Year 2016-2017

Course Name

English Language Arts

Room

516

School Name

Salem Middle School

Teacher Name

Ms. Manning

School Phone
Number
School Website

678-676-9402

Teacher Email

Carrie_Manning@dekalbschoolsga.com

http://www.salemms.dekalb.k12.ga.us

Teacher
Website

Mscmanning.weebly.com

Course Description:
This course is designed to offer students rigorous instruction in the area of writing, reading, grammar, listening and
speaking, and vocabulary. This course encourages the use of technology as a tool to enhance and assess learning.
Assessments will consist of standardized, progress, diagnostic, and summative. For this course, students will use the
McDougal Littell literature book.
Common Core Georgia Performance Standards:
The CCGPS for English language arts will ensure that all Georgia students have an equal access and opportunity to master
the skills and knowledge needed for success beyond high school. The standards create a foundation to work
collaboratively across states and districts, pooling resources and expertise, to create curricular tools, professional
development, common assessments, and other instructional materials.
Key components:
Rigorous knowledge and skills needed to succeed in college and /or careers
Consistent expectations across states for all students
Relevant content and application of knowledge through critical thinking, problem solving, modeling, and higher-order
thinking skills
Curriculum Overview
The following academic concepts will be covered. THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Unit 1: Debaters, Creators, and Motivators In this unit students examine how text structures contribute to meaning,
identify and explain the characteristics of different genres, and begin writing arguments to support a point of view. This unit
ends with an argumentative essay with an engaging opening statement of their position, at least three clear and logical
reasons, and relevant evidence cited from various text.
Unit 2: Freedom, Obstacles and Challenges In this unit students read works of historical fiction and discuss how authors'
perspectives might produce accounts of historical events that differ from what we know happened. An in-depth research
project accompanied by a multimedia presentation is a highlight of this unit, because these creative processes integrate
essential skills and meaningful content. This unit ends with an informative/explanatory essay in response to the essential
question: How does learning history through literature differ from learning through informational text?
Unit 3: Poetry Vs. Prose In this unit, students will explore drama and poetry, analyzing them through dialogue, play
scenes, or through words that are critical to the development of the story or message. Finally, students will choose a genre
that they prefer and defend their choice, strengthening their skills at writing arguments.
Unit 4: The Real Story In this unit, students explore the element of a story to analyze how each element directly or
indirectly affects the effect of the story. Students will cite specific textual evidence that demonstrates the effect of each story
element to the text as well as analyze the authors motivation for writing the story. The unit will end with an
informative/explanatory essay.
BOARD-APPROVED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Title
McDougal Littell Literature
ISBN
Replacement Cost
Online book and/or resources
Online student access code (school specific)

$77.19
http://www.classzone.com
Grade 7: 5671648-90

GRADING SYSTEM: The DeKalb County School District believes that the most important assessment of student learning
shall be conducted by the teachers as they observe and evaluate students in the context of ongoing classroom instruction. A
variety of approaches, methodologies, and resources shall be used to deliver educational services and to maximize each
students opportunity to succeed. Teachers shall evaluate student progress, report grades that represent the students
academic achievement, and communicate official academic progress to students and parents in a timely manner through the
electronic grading portal. See Board Policy IHA.
GRADING CATEGORIES

*GRADE PROTOCOL

Formative Assessment (Pre-Assessment) 0%

Assessment During Learning 25%
Guided, Independent, or Group Practice 45%
Summative Assessment or Assessment of Learning 30%

A
B
C
D
F

90 100
80 89
71 79
70
Below 70

~P (pass)
~F (fail)

Notes:
*English Learners (ELs) must not receive numerical or letter grades for the core content areas in elementary and middle
school during their first year of language development. A grade of CS or CU must be assigned. This rule may be extended
beyond the first year with approval from the EL Studies Program. English Learners must receive a grade for ESOL courses.
DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS
STUDENT PROGRESS

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

HOMEWORK

MAKE-UP WORK
DUE TO ABSENCES

CLASSROOM
EXPECTATIONS

MATERIALS AND
SUPPLIES

Semester progress reports shall be issued four and a half, nine and thirteen and a half weeks
into each semester. The progress of students shall be evaluated frequently and plans shall
be generated to remediate deficiencies as they are discovered. Plans shall include
appropriate interventions designed to meet the needs of the students. See Board Policy IH.
Students will not engage in an act of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to,
cheating, providing false information, falsifying school records, forging signatures, or using an
unauthorized computer user ID or password. See the Code of Student Conduct - Student
Rights and Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook.
Homework assignments should be meaningful and should be an application or adaptation of
a classroom experience. Homework is at all times an extension of the teaching/learning
experience. It should be considered the possession of the student and should be collected,
evaluated and returned to the students. See Board Policy IHB.
When a student is absent because of a legal reason as defined by Georgia law or when the
absence is apparently beyond the control of the student, the student shall be given an
opportunity to earn grade(s) for those days absent. Make-up work must be completed within
the designated time allotted. See Board Policy IHEA.
SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS
1. Come to class on time and prepared.
2. Raise your hand and WAIT to be called on.
3. Raise your hand and get permission to leave your seat and/or speak.
4. No food or drinks.
5. Show respect for yourself and others at all times.
6. Follow directions the FIRST time.
7. Work quietly and do not disturb others (unless stated to work with others).
8. KEEP your area NEAT and CLEAN.
Supply List

3 packs of college rule paper

2 packs of copy paper

2 packs of #2 pencils or mechanical

highlighters

1 pair of scissors

2 packs of index cards

1 composition notebooks

1 pack of construction paper

4 boxes of tissue

2 rolls of paper towels

1 bottle of hand sanitizer

2 containers of wipes

1 1inch binder (3 ring)

1 zip/flash drive

CELL PHONE POLICY

(taken from DeKalb County
Schools Code of Conduct)

CELL PHONE/ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE USE BY STUDENTS: Students

may possess and use electronic communication devices in accordance with procedures
promulgated by the Superintendent. Such procedures shall provide that electronic
communication devices may not be used during instructional time and must not interfere with
the educational mission of the schools or pose a safety hazard. All students are expected to
adhere to the following rules relative to electronic communication devices: (1) Phones must
be turned completely off (not on silent or vibrate mode) and put away out of view (as directed
by the school) during instructional time (official start of school day to the end of the school
day), except for approved instructional purposes; (2) No text messaging is allowed, except
for approved instructional purposes; (3) Students with serious medical conditions or other
unusual circumstances may be given special permission by the school principal to use this
device if it is determined to be essential for the health of the student. 56 Parents/guardians
are asked to refrain from calling, e-mailing, or texting their student during instructional time.
In the event of an emergency, the parent/guardian may contact the student via the schools
phone system. All violations of these expectations will result in confiscation of the device.
Moreover, the confiscated device will be returned only to the parent/guardian. NOTE: No one
is allowed to take pictures or video of other persons at school without the express permission
of the principal. STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY CAUTIONED THAT SENDING
INAPPROPRIATE MESSAGES AND/OR IMAGES VIA ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
DEVICES OR THE INTERNET/INTRANET AT ANY TIME COULD RESULT IN VERY
SERIOUS SCHOOL, PERSONAL AND/OR CRIMINAL CONSEQUENCES.

EXTRA HELP

Extra help/assistance for students is available upon request.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS

Take an active role in the education of your child by observing and encouraging reading,
Please also ensure the completion of homework, assignments and projects. Stay in contact
with the teachers through emails, telephone calls or conferences (by appointment on
Thursdays).
Make time every day to talk with your child about the days activities. Let them know
you care, and really listen to what they have to say.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS MUST SIGN AND FILL OUT THE INFORMATION BELOW. THE FORM MUST BE RETURNED
TO THE TEACHERS BY FRIDAY, AUGUST 12TH, 2016
I have read the syllabus.
Student Signature___________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature____________________________________________________
Date_____________________________
Additional information to support continued contact:
Information
Day Time Phone Number
Cellular Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Email Address

Parent/Guardian