8B Mrs. Whalen

Classroom Parent Mrs. Suzanne Asmar Mrs. Janet Foley

  

WELCOME BACK

 

Mrs. Whalen Language Arts Grade 7 Syllabus 2011 – 2012   Dear Students,      Welcome to 7th grade!  I anticipate that this will be a year of growth and learning.  You will be studying literature, language mechanics, the art of writing, and public speaking.  You will be given the opportunity to hone your listening skills and be able to explore and expand your creative thinking, both through reading and writing. Mission of our Class Language Arts is an important part of your education.  It is a demanding and fundamental subject which is both challenging and fun.  Through reading, writing, presentations, and interaction in class, it is my goal to provide you with the tools necessary to succeed academically, as well as in other areas of life. Expectations and Procedures ·          Class begins when you enter the classroom.  ·         Students need to come to class prepared and ready to work!  Showing up to class without the proper materials is like a carpenter showing up to build a house without their hammer.  How much can you really accomplish without the proper tools?  Students will not be permitted to return to their lockers once class has started. ·         Your writing assignments must be typed.  If you do not have a working computer/printer at home, you will need to make the necessary arrangements at school, or the local library, to complete your work.  Since St. James School has many computers and printers, there are no excuses for not completing a typed assignment.  Assignments can always be e-mailed to mwhalen@sjsbr.org, and printed out at school. Homework Homework is an important part of your learning and will be assigned when it is relevant and beneficial. Absence During an absence, you can access me directly through e-mail: mwhalen@sjsbr.org ·         When you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain your work.  You have 5 days to make up all work missed while you are out. ·         If you are absent on the day that an assignment is due, you must turn in the assignment on the day you return to receive full credit.  Missed quizzes and tests must be made up within 5 days of your return to school.  It is your responsibility to make up the test/quiz during class time, recess, or after school if necessary. Classroom Behavior You are responsible in class for the following: -  attend class regularly -  be on time to class -  be prepared for class i.e.: books, writing utensils, assignments & a good attitude -  use your time wisely -  Pay Attention, Listen, and do not disrupt your fellow student’s opportunity to learn -  adhere to school rules and the school dress code TO SUCCEED IN CLASS, STUDENTS MUST: ü  BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF OUR CLASS ü  MEET DEADLINES ü  PRESENT ASSIGNMENTS ACCORDING TO THE STANDARDS SET FOR THE ASSIGNMENT  Reading List ·         Johnny Tremain ·         behind rebel lines ·         Jim the Boy ·         The Giver   Companion Reading      A companion book will be assigned that complements our class read. This reading will be done independently outside of class. Each student is responsible to secure the assigned companion read.  Students will be responsibility to complete book by given due date.  An in- class discussion will follow, along with a written quiz. ·          Chains ·         The Letter Writer ·         Out of the Dust  Your thoughts and comments are an important part of the learning process and you are encouraged to participate and engage in discussion each and every day.  Ours is a classroom where all students are accepted and welcomed.  Please show your classmates and myself respect and courtesy, and we will do the same for you.   Grade_7_syllabus_2011-12[1].pdf

 

 

Mrs. Whalen Language Arts Grade 8 Syllabus 2011-2012   Dear Students,      Welcome to 8th grade.  I anticipate that this will be a year of growth and learning.  Throughout the year, you will be studying literature, language mechanics, and an assortment of writing styles, public speaking, listening skills and creative thinking. Mission for the Class Language Arts is an important part of your education.  It is a demanding and fundamental subject which can be both challenging and fun.  Through reading, writing, presentations, and interactive discussions it is my goal to provide you with the tools necessary to succeed academically at Saint James and in the future, as well as other areas of your life. Expectations and Procedures ·         Class begins when you enter the classroom. ·         Students need to come to class prepared and ready to work!  Showing up to class without the proper materials is like a carpenter showing up to build a house without a hammer.  How much can you really accomplish without the proper tools?  Students will not be permitted to return to their lockers for books, etc. once class has started. ·         Your writing assignments must be typed.  If you do not have a working computer/printer at home, you will need to make the necessary arrangements at school, or the local library to complete your work.  Saint James has many computers and printers; there are no excuses for not completing a typed assignment.  You can also e-mail the assignment to mwhalen@sjsbr.org and print it out. Homework      Homework is an important part of your learning and will be assigned when it is relevant and beneficial. Absence ·          If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain your work.  You have 5 days to make up all work missed during your absence. ·         If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you must turn in the assignment on the day you return.  Quizzes and tests must be made up within 5 days of your return to school.  It is your responsibility to make up the work during class time, recess, or after school if necessary. Classroom Behavior In class you are responsible for: ü  attend class regularly ü  be on time to class ü  be prepared for class ü  use your time wisely ü  have a positive attitude ü  PAY ATTENTION, LISTEN, and do not disrupt your fellow students opportunity to learn ü  adhere to school rules and the school dress code TO SUCCEED IN CLASS, YOU MUST -  be actively involved as a member of our class -  Meet deadlines! -  present all work according to the standards for the assignment   YOUR COMMENTS AND THOUGHTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE LEARNING PROCESS.  YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE AND ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION EACH AND EVERY DAY.  OURS IS A CLASSROOM WHERE ALL STUDENTS ARE ACCEPTED AND WELCOME.  PLEASE SHOW YOUR CLASSMATES AND MYSELF RESPECT AND COURTESY, AND WE WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU. Literature ·         Old Man and the Sea---Ernest Hemingway ·         And Then There Are None--- Agatha Christie ·         Twelfth Night--- William Shakespeare ·         To Kill A Mockingbird---Harper Lee ·         Eyes of the Emperor—Graham Salisbury -Titles are subject to change    Book Club Approximately every 3 to 4 weeks you will be assigned a book to read independently.  It is required reading for the class.  It is your responsibility to secure the book.  You are responsible to complete this book by the given due date.  On the due date there will be an in class discussion and a short written quiz.   Student/Parent Book Club The student/parent book club meets about every 4 to 5 weeks, at a time determined by the group, either evenings or after school.  The group discusses and makes selections for the group to read.  Both the student and the parent must read and attend the meetings jointly.  Last year’s group selections were The Traveler’s Gift, Witch and Wizard, The Christmas Box, Sara’s Key, Heaven is for Real and Fallen Angels. All 8th graders and their parent(s) are encouraged to participate. Grade_8_syllabus_2011-12[1].pdf

 

LANGUAGE ARTS- GRADE 7 Summer Reading Assignment 2011 All students entering 7th grade in September of 2011 are required to read Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. Students are also required to read any other book of their choice. No written assignments are required.  A test will be given on Al Capone Does My Shirts upon returning to class.  Please contact Miss Bubnis or Mrs. Whalen via email at jbubnis@sjsbr.org or mwhalen@sjsbr.org with any questions about the summer reading.                                    LANGUAGE ARTS- GRADE 8 Summer Reading Assignment 2011 All students entering 8th grade in September of 2011 are required to read If I Should Die Before I Wake by Han Nolan. Students are required to read any another book of their choice. No written assignments are required. A test will be given on If I Should Die Before I Wake upon returning to class.  Please contact Mrs. Whalen via email at mwhalen@sjsbr.org with any questions about the summer reading.   Have a safe and happy summer!  Remember to get lost in a good book!

 

 

 

 

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