2. Welcome to an Exciting and Challenging Year! 7 th Grade English/language arts Mrs. Cunningham

3. Language Arts Expectations and Policies Welcome back to school! I am very excited about beginning a new school year and getting to know each of you. I hope that you will find this year both challenging and enjoyable. In this presentation, we will discuss specific guidelines regarding policies and classroom procedures. Please keep the “note- taking” sheet in the reference section of your notebook.

4. ~Parent Letter: Be sure to give your parents/guardian the “parent” letter for this class as soon as you get home. It contains important information they will need to know concerning this course. Return the back, bottom portion of the letter by Friday, August 30th. Note: All information in the parent letter will be discussed in class during this presentation.

5. ~ Textbooks: You will receive a textbook for home use. In other words, please keep your book at home for study purposes. Cover all textbooks as soon as they are distributed. What might you NOT use as a textbook cover? Why? Hint:

6. ~ Grading: Please view your grades on the computer in Home Base. Breakdown of grades  50%- Class work/Accountable Independent Reading projects  35%- Tests and quizzes  15%- Homework (You will be required to read your Accountable Independent Reading (AIR) novel on a nightly basis.) 5

7. Things You Should Know… Room Rules  Be prompt.  Be prepared.  Respect everyone’s right to learn.  Always bring a novel to class.  Always raise your hand and be recognized before speaking.  No food, GUM, or bottled drinks in class. Classroom Procedure  Enter the classroom quietly.  Sharpen your pencil.  Copy your homework in your agenda.  Read the objective and complete the drill.  Read your novel until class begins.

8. What if I’m absent? Absent Check my website: http://cunninghams news.weebly.com When you return to school, retrieve any missing work from the ABSENTEE/ PAPER RETURN FOLDER. Pick up assignments from Students Services. Note: A parent must call first to request this and arrange pick-up.

9. ~ Make up Work Policy: Part of our job as teachers is to prepare our students for high school and to foster responsibility. However, we also recognize that everyone is human and occasionally makes mistakes or is forgetful. Therefore, our late work policy is as follows:  Within a unit of study, late work (classwork and hom- work) will be accepted within a 15 point deduction. After the unit of study has been completed, late work will not be accepted and the student will receive a zero for the assignment.  For late projects and/or major assessment, 5 points will be deducted per day for a maximum of 5 days. After the five day period, the student will receive a zero for the assignment. Note: “Take A Day” passes: Each student will receive TWO passes per quarter for those forgetful moments. These passes may only be used to turn in any one assignment one day late (the next day) for full credit. The pass must be attached to the late assignment. *LOST PASSES WILL NOT BE REPLACED. *DO NOT SHARE PASSES.

10. ~ Destination Passes: You will receive two destination passes per quarter to visit the following places: Bathroom Locker Water Fountain * Use these passes wisely and make sure you fill out the destination log before leaving !!!!

11. ~ Organization and preparation are keys to success! ~ Needed Supplies (immediate):  1” (one subject per binder) or 3” binder ( four subjects in one binder)  LOTS of pencils  LOTS of notebook paper  pens (blue, black and red)/pencils  Homework folder with pockets (label one pocket “To be turned in” and the other pocket “To be completed”  Highlighter of different colors ~ Materials for research (future):  Folder with pockets and prongs  3X5 index cards  Dictionary and thesaurus (for home use)  One gallon zip-lock bag

12. Start the year off with a bang… Organize your binder!!!! Section One: Interactive Notebook Section Two: Reader Response Section Three: Grammar Section Four: Reference Section Five: Graded Papers

13. Tardy Policy Students are considered tardy, UNLESS they are in their seats with materials prepared and working when the late bell rings. Consequences: ~ First Tardy- Warning ~ Second Tardy- Lunch Detention ~ Third Tardy- Contact Parent, two Lunch Detentions ~ Fourth Tardy- Office Referra l 10-10 Rule- Students are not allowed in the halls during the first and last 10 minutes of class.

17. Classroom Expert Monthly Duty Pass out/collect papers Errands Miscellaneous

18. Don’t Forget… Keep up your stamina! Winners never quit; quitters never win.