The stage is set for yet another successful year for our community of learners! This year promises to be an exciting year in which district-required skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking take priority throughout the school year. In an effort to provide a challenging language arts program, the curriculum addresses all four areas most efficiently by following the thematic schedule, a program dedicated to exploring timeless issues.

      Just as the runner going for the gold, the reader must also practice reading using proper techniques in order to effectively win the marathon. Just as the athlete must practice to tone muscle, the reader must practice to coordinate the eye, word, and brain to effectively read. Daily warm-ups and the independent reading program give the students this needed practice.

      Language skills are implemented within a rigorous program of reading and writing while independent reading per night gives students practice and application for their learning.

      Shakespeare wrote, "All the world's a stage," and that we are players who "strut and fret their hour upon the stage." Parents and educators, in co-operation, can help adolescents write their own stories of success for the future world. I hope you will find these efforts satisfactory in providing your child with an innovative, interest-based program. I look forward to this challenge and welcome your support.

Grading System

Grades are determined by the students cumlative earned points during the semester. The earned points fall into four categories and weighted as shown below:

• Tests/Quizzes 20%:
• Homework/Classwork 30%
• Benchmarks 10%
• Portfolio Writing/Final Copy 20%
• Reading/Writing Notebook 20%

District Grading Scale

A = 93-100
B = 85-92
C = 77-84
D = 70-76
F = 0-69

• All written assignments will be graded using the standard Writing rubric. Student's writing will be graded on Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions
• Tests and quizzes reflect class notes, readings,word stems, projects, videos etc.
• Cheating on any assignment will receive a 0% grade and disciplinary action will be taken.
• Assignments which cannot be read, will receive a 0% grade.

Makeup Policy

• It is the student's responsibility to obtain all make-up work.
• Absent work will be accepted one day after returning to school for every day absent or upon an agreed time designated by the teacher.
• NO late work will be accepted without a documented reason.
• Make up tests are to be completed within one week of returning to school. These tests will be taken by appointment, and an alternative test may be given.
• Students caught in a tardy or missing from class other than "Excused Absence" are required to turn in all assignments before leaving campus at the end of the day or the assignment will not be accepted. Students without an excused absence will receive a zero for all work completed in class.

Attendance

1. Students are expected to attend class daily and be prepared. This includes having materials, assignments due, and being actively engaged in class discussions.
2. In cases of extended illness, please contact me for alternate assignments;these assignments can-in most cases-be submitted via email for credit.
3. While the district allows for reasonable margin of absence, students who are regularly absent or tardy will suffer the effects in their course grade because this course moves at a brisk pace, and it would be difficult to keep up with the work load if absent.

Academic Expectations:

• Comprehending Literary Text- The student will be able to identify, analyze using comprehension strategies and apply structures and elements of literature with fluency in reading. The student will further apply reading to writing-particularly to the literary response.
• Comprehending Expository Text-The student will identify, analyze and apply knowledge of purpose, structures, and elements of text while acquiring new vocabulary (in context). Applications in writing include expository, functional, persuasive, research and creative/expressive assignments.
• Functional Text-The student will identify and demonstrate knowledge of purpose, structures, clarity and relevance of text with evaluation of such knowledge in writing applications.
• Persuasive Text- The student will explain basic elements of argument in text and their relationship to the author's purpose as well as explain the use of persuasive strategies as demonstrated and evaluated by successful application in writing, i.e. expressive, expository, functional, persuasive, and/or research.
• Reading Process-Vocabulary and Comprehension Skills: The student will acquire new relevant vocabulary and employ comprehension strategies to improve skills in the reading process.
• Writing Process and Elements-The student will develop strategies for writing from prewriting to publishing.