The City of Hialeah Educational Academy

                                                                          Teacher: Ms.Lima

                                                                                  Room: 207B

                                                                    Email: dlima@coheaedu.com

                                                                    Reading - Syllabus 2023-2024

INTRODUCTION

This is the seventh grade Reading class! I am pleased and honored to be your teacher for this course. I look forward to an exciting year together. In this class, we will focus on refining the important skills and knowledge areas within the Reading curriculum that are needed in order to prepare you for your current and future studies in this and other classes. We will learn how to read and analyze different texts, how to respond to them orally and in writing. In order to maximize your learning this year, you will need to exemplify cooperation, respect, and responsibility in the classroom at all times. Everyone is an important part of the class; and everyone has to do their part to bring about learning and growth. I look forward not only to helping you grow as a student, but as an individual as well. With our class in perfect harmony, you will, go above, and beyond. Welcome!

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The focus of the seventh grade Reading course is on reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language skills. Throughout the course of the school year, we will engage in various cooperative/collaborative and independent learning activities both in and out of the classroom. Students will complete and present various projects throughout the year and have many opportunities to demonstrate mastery of their learning through them.

The theme for the year will be on leadership and choices. Students will complete various writing models within the course. These writing types include personal narratives, illustrated myths, expository essays, argumentative essays, literary analysis, rhetorical analysis, poetic analysis, biographical research, monologue, and Shakespearean dialogue. Students are required to support claims with reasons and evidence. Spelling, grammar, and vocabulary will also be an important part of this class. Students are expected to accurately use grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. The ELA BEST Standards are embedded within the course.

COURSE GOALS

• To identify and analyze the craft and structure of various written works and texts, literary elements, and the relationship among setting, characterization, conflict and plot.
• To identify and infer the main idea, details, theme, and author’s purpose, style, and tone within various written works and texts.
• To analyze and write narrative, rhetorical, comparison and contrast, expository, and argumentative essays.
• To write literary and poetic analyses with commentary.
• To write and effectively support a thesis statement accordingly
• To support claims with reasons and evidence.
• To identify and effectively use Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Kairos, and other rhetorical devices
• To research literature, drama, and other literary forms and authors from different time periods.
• To apply a variety of reading strategies to fiction and nonfiction texts in order to infer meaning, draw conclusions, and demonstrate reading comprehension in various ways.
• To engage effectively in a variety of collaborative discussions.
• To transfer knowledge from discussions into meaningful reflective writing and other forms of academic expression that demonstrate mastery of knowledge and learning objectives.
• To understand and accurately apply the various parts of speech, conventions and mechanics, and use simple, compound, and complex sentence structures.

REQUIRED TEXTS

-iReady Learning Strategies text

*Additional reading material may be required for instruction purposes. More information on the titles will be given in class.

REQUIRED ONLINE PLATFORMS

-NoRedInk, vocabulary.com, Google Classroom

REQUIRED SUPPLY

(1) box of markers/colored pencils

(12) #2 Mechanical pencils

(1) box of black or blue pens (erasable)

(5) red pens (erasable)

(1) glue stick

(2) composition notebooks (marbled)

(1) red 3-prong plastic pocket folder (duo-tang)

(6) packages of college ruled loose leaf paper to start the year

(1) eraser

(1) pair of scissors (no sharp points)

(4) highlighters

(4) post-its

(4) post-it divider tabs (notes, questions, vocabulary, resources)

(1) pocket dictionary

(1) pocket thesaurus

(1) school purchased agenda

(1) headphones, USB

TYPE OF ASSIGNMENTS

• Reading (novels, short stories, essays, poems, myths, dramatic plays)
• Essays (narrative, argumentative, expository, rhetorical, comparison/contrast, literary)
• Journals
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Collaborative discussions/Integration of knowledge
• Group Assignments/Critical thinking
• Assessments/Projects/Presentations

STUDENT EVALUATION

Grades are based on the Miami-Dade County Grading Scale. 

GRADING SCALE:

90 - 100 = A    4 pts.   3.5 - 4.0   average

80 - 89    = B   3 pts.   2.5 – 3.49 average

70 – 79   = C   2 pts.   1.5 – 2.49 average

60 – 69   = D   1 pt.    1.0 – 1.49 average

Below 59 = F   0 pts.   Below 1.0 average

Students are evaluated based on the following criteria below:

Test: 30%

Quizzes: 20%

Classwork: 20%

Home learning: 5%

Presentations/Projects: 25%

CLASSROOM RULES

1. Be respectful and ready to learn
2. Honor your parents, families, culture, and heritage
3. Be prepared to learn and demonstrate your growth at all times

• Adhere to the classroom procedures at all times; when in doubt, ask.

In the event that the rules are broken, the student will be tracked in the HERO tracking system. The system works on a daily/weekly basis in this and all classes. The first step is a warning, the second is parent communication, the third will result in a detention, and the fourth a parent conference and referral to administration. This will affect the conduct grade in class.

ATTENDANCE/ TARDY POLICY

Attendance plays a key role in your learning. It is your responsibility to be present and, in your seat, when the bell rings. Given that we only have a certain amount of time together, punctuality is a must. If you are tardy, you must have a written excuse on school official paper from the teacher who detained you or the administration. Tardiness will also be tracked in the HERO tracking system. Listed below are the consequences for unexcused tardiness:

• 1st tardy: Verbal warning.
• 2nd tardy: Call home.
• 3rd tardy: Detention.
• 4th tardy: Referred to administration, referral.
• 5+ tardy, administrative actions.

ASSIGNMENT/ MAKE UP POLICY

Adequate time is given to complete assignments. Therefore, late work will NOT be accepted, unless authorized by the teacher. It is the student’s responsibility to manage their time effectively in order to meet the deadlines. A letter grade of Z will be given if the assignment is not turned in on the date of collection.

In the event that the student is unable to complete an assignment due to an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to collect and complete any assignment that was missed. A grade will ONLY be received if the absence is EXCUSED. The student will have as many days as they were out to complete the assignment (example: if the student was absent for two days, they have two days, including the day they returned, to complete missing assignments). This does not excuse the student from assignments received when returned.

HOMELEARNING POLICY

Home learning will mostly be to study, take and revise notes, answer exit slip questions, enhance vocabulary, practice class concepts, and further research topics. The home learning is driven by the instruction that takes place in the classroom. Therefore, do not expect home learning to be in the form of specific assignments on a daily basis that must be turned in the next day; although they may take on this form on occasion. Parent communication will be made for missing assignments.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism is completely UNACCEPTABLE. The consequence for a student caught in the act of plagiarism is a letter grade of Z. Plagiarism is not taken lightly, so keep in mind that administration will be notified as well as the parent. Cheating is a derivative of plagiarism; the same consequences will apply to anything of that nature. Student work that is submitted to the teacher must reflect independent, original student thought and be an independent, original student composition and compilation; not copied from the internet, another student, or any other source.

COMMUNICATION

Allow between 24-48 hours for updates in gradebook and follow up to email communication. Google classroom is NOT the gradebook. Any “grade”, percentage, or note on google classroom is intended for feedback purposes only. The best way to communicate with me about your concerns is via email; not during class time, and not via text or any other messaging platform. In your email, please include your full name, student ID number, class period, and the nature of your question or your concern. Class time is for instruction and learning.

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