Syllabus

** Course Information **
Pre-AP students will expand their knowledge of Pre-Advanced Placement strategies in reading and writing using materials specifically selected for the Pre-Advanced Placement student. These skills are developed through close reading, critical thinking, composition, vocabulary and grammar. Students will be responsible for reading outside of class.

** Teacher Information **
**Name** Melanie Beckett **Course** Pre-AP Language Arts **Grade** 7 **Contact Information** __ melaniebeckett@misdmail.org __ __ If you will email me at the above address the first week of school, I will add that email to a group list for class announcements and updates. You may send as many emails as you wish. Please put your student's name and class period in the subject line. Feel free to send a message __ __ in the email if there is anything you want me to know about your child this year. Students will receive one daily extra credit 100. __ ** Course Calendar-See Attached Scope and Sequence ** ** District Benchmarks TBD ** ** TAKS Testing: Writing on March 1, 2011; Reading on April 27, 2011 **

** Course Policies **
** Attendance and Tardies ** Students must be in attendance 90% of the school year. When a student is absent, a parent just calls the office at 817.299.3500 for the absence to be excused. It is the student’s responsibility to request the work upon return to school. Students have one school day for each day of absence to complete the missing work. Refer to handbook for tardy policy. Additional explanations and rules are available in the Student Handbook. ** Class Participation ** Students are asked to be on time and ready to work. That readiness includes all needed supplies and books. Students are expected to join in class discussions and complete all assignments. Students are expected to keep all library loan records current. Failure to not return books, pay for lost books or clear fines will result in disciplinary action. Reading library books is an important part of the student’s grades and participation. ** Missed Exams or Assignments ** It is the student’s responsibility to request the work upon return to school from any absence. Students have one school day for each day of absence to complete the missing work. Work not completed on time will be handled on an individual basis. ** Late Work ** Late work will be accepted one day late for an optimum grade of 70. ** Academic Dishonesty ** This includes copying someone’s work or giving someone your work to copy. All assignments, including daily work, homework, class work, quizzes, tests, essays, and projects are included in this rule. All plagiarism rules apply. ** Grading ** All Language Arts classes have three categories for grades- Major, Daily, and Quizzes. ** Major Grades are 40% of the average. **   The grades may include but are not limited to Unit tests, multiple selection tests, projects, and fully processed essays. Notice of due dates will always is given in advance. Projects are assigned in conjunction with novel studies and research projects. An AR grade is included in this category. This grade is based on the achievement of a student’s individual reading goal for the six weeks. This goal is based on reading level of each student. Students go to the library every two weeks and are required to check out at least one AR book. After finishing the book within two weeks, the student will take a computerized test to earn points toward their goal. ** Quiz Grades are 30% of the average. **   These grades may include but are not limited to quizzes, (announced or not), selection tests, some TAKS practices, and essays. ** Daily ** **grades are 30% of the average**. These grades may include but are not limited to work done in class and some TAKS practices. ** Support Services ** Student planners list many of the support services at TAHMS. The most current information is also available at the TAHMS web page. These services include library hours, our team’s Homework Haven, and tutoring opportunities.

** Materials **
== Each student will need a composition book, notebook paper, blue or black ink pens, a red grading pen, index cards with a ring, and a set of dividers for the Language Arts section in his/her school binder. We will be using the Vocabulary Workshop Program, Book C. Please send $10.00 for a copy of the book by September 1, 2010. For in class work students will need access to markers, glue or glue sticks, and colored pencils. I will have limited supplies available for class use. Colored pencils will be needed to mark writing assignments, so each student will need his/her own set. Some projects may require poster boards. Students will be given a MISD Novel List. TA Howard MS provides a novel for each student to use in class. If you wish, you may purchase a copy of the novel we will be studying in class to use at home and be able to highlight. Not all novels on the list will be taught. I will let the students know which ones we will be studying this year. ==

Holt Literature Book
Warriner’s Grammar Book