Information and Expectations for Language Arts 7

Some simple steps for success in Mrs. Hogye's classroom:

1. Be prepared for class.
Bring all materials EVERY DAY. Locker passes will NOT be distributed to students who arrive unprepared.

• Literature textbook
• Class binder (may be shared) with tab dividers
• 2 spiral notebooks (1 for notes, 1 for exercises)
• Marble composition book as journal
• Looseleaf paper
• Pen (blue or black ink ONLY) and pencil
• Book for silent reading*

* Starting the second week of school, students will be expected to have a book for silent reading in class every day. Students may bring books from home or check them out from the library. Time will be provided every two weeks for a trip to the library to check out books.

2. Keep up with homework and classwork.
Homework and classwork will be reviewed in class and graded by the teacher. Late homework policies are as follows:

• 5-point assignments will not be accepted after the day they are due.
• 10-point-and-above assignments will be accepted for half credit if turned in the class period after they were due.
• Homework assigned the day before an absence is due upon the studentŐs return to class.

Students should expect written homework -- and homework in general -- weekly.

3. Prepare for quizzes and tests.
During each quarter, you should expect the following: 1 major literature test, 1 large literature quiz, 1 large grammar quiz, several small quizzes (grammar, vocab, spelling), 2 major writing projects including all drafts, one journal grade, and other related assignments. Major assignments are worth between 70 and 100 points. Large quizzes count between 30 and 50 points. Small quizzes and other assignments are 5 or 10 points.

4. Put effort into writing assignments.
Writing is a critical part of the English Language Arts. Each week students will be asked to write on specific topics and topics of their choice, whether in journal or essay form. Students should take these writing assignments very seriously and take time to ensure that each paper is complete and thorough.

Each substantial writing assignment will be graded on its own rubric, generated prior to the assignment. Frequently students will be asked to contribute to the construction of these rubrics and/or to create a rubric for evaluation themselves. On average, writing assignments will be weighted heavily.

5. If absent, make up missed work in a timely manner.
If a student misses a quiz or test because of an absence, upon returning to school, he/she must make up the missed assignment within the number of days that he/she was absent. The same policy applies to missed in-class and homework assignments. Missed work will be made available to the student through the Buddy System (explained in detail in class).

6. Keep track of your grade independently.
Determine your grade percentage by dividing total points earned by total points possible. This information is kept on your grade sheet, provided in class. When graded assignments are returned, record them on your grade sheet. I will also calculate your grade at certain intervals throughout each quarter. We will follow the grading scale adopted by the school district, which is posted in the room and can also be found in your agenda.

7. Stay organized!
Use your spiral notebooks for ALL notes. Your composition notebook will remain in the classroom and will be kept for journal and reader-response activities. Put all looseleaf in-class assignments, handouts, returned papers, various writing, and any other work in your binder, under the correctly labeled tab.

Classroom Expectations

1. You must bring all required materials to class each day.
2. You are expected to begin the assignment on the board as soon as the bell rings.
3. In order to leave class, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR AGENDA. You will fill out the hall pass in your agenda, have me initial it, and you will sign out on the hall pass sheet.
4. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR SEAT WHILE I AM LECTURING OR GIVING DIRECTIONS.
5. Enter the room quietly and do not talk after the bell rings. At the end of the period, I, not the bell, will dismiss you.
6. Write all work neatly to receive full credit.
7. Headings must be written on all work. Put the following heading in the top left corner of your paper:

• Name
• Subject/Block
• Assignment (Page Number)
• Date

8. Raise your hand to ask or answer a question.
9. Record grades of returned assignments on your grade sheet. Keep this sheet in your binder at all times.
10. Treat Mrs. Hogye and your fellow students with the utmost respect AT ALL TIMES.