1. Mrs. Shannon Heaton Athey Creek Middle School 2017-2018
Language Arts 7
“Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic.”
~ J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows
THE POWER OF WORDS
Class Rules
Be on time, on task,
& prepared to learn
EVERY DAY
2. Respect yourself, others, & your space
Be responsible for
your own learning: * Work hard
* Ask questions
* Devices away
Welcome to 7th grade Language Arts! Our focus this school year will be learning and developing our skills as critical thinkers, readers, writers, speakers, and listeners. The development and mastery of these skills is important not only to achieving success in the LA classroom; it is a critical component of achieving success in other school subjects, building strong relationships, and attaining a flourishing career as an adult. I am looking forward to a fantastic school year with you! We will read (a lot), write (a lot), & collaborate (a lot) during our time together. As a result, you will have a deeper appreciation for the power of words.
How to get ahold of Mrs. H
What if I need help?
Phone:
(503) x5408
Website:
ACMS home page,
Under the Academics link, 7th grade list
One of the most important skills you will need in life is self-advocacy. This means being able to identify when you need something and to seek out what you need. If you ever have a question or need help with something please ASK! You can ask during class, before school, or during lunch. You can even write me a note or send me an . Nothing makes me happier than to help a student who has the guts to ask for help or feedback on an assignment!
How will I check my grade in class?
Class progress reports will be sent home in paper form once a quarter. These need to be signed and returned for a grade. Parents and students are also strongly encouraged to also check the FamilyLink Portal. Grades will be updated every few weeks.
What if I am absent?
Students are 100% responsible for taking ownership of making up missing work.
* Check the website when you are gone.
* Check the absent folder for your class when you return.
* Come see me during office hours: W 8:30-9 am, at lunch by appt.
If previously assigned work was due on the day of the absence, the work is due on the first day the student returns otherwise it is considered late and will receive 10% off the grade earned.

2. Mrs. Shannon Heaton Athey Creek Middle School 2017-2018
Grade Scale
What will we be reading this year? A
= % C+
= 77% - 79% A-
= 90% - 92% C
= 73% - 76% B+
= 87% - 89% C-
= 70% - 72% B
= 83% - 86%
NYM = Not Yet Met B-
= 80% - 82%
The 7th grade novels were selected through a rigorous process involving the district’s language arts teachers working together with the West Linn-Wilsonville school district, Lewis & Clark University, and the Oregon Writing Project. The books were chosen because they represent a wide range of authentic voices and address the essential questions identified for the grade level.
The core novels that have been selected for ACMS this year are:
All the Broken Pieces, Ann E. Burg
Breaking Through, Francisco Jimenez
The Giver, Lois Lowry
The Running Dream, Wendelin Van Draanen
Additionally, we are excited to be starting off the year introducing the school wide read, Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass.
Grade Breakdown
Formative = 30%
Interactive Notebook, Daily Work, Process Writing Steps (drafts), Homework
Summative = 60%
Final Unit Assignments
Performance = 10%
Quizzes/Tests
Do I have to* (“GET to”) read outside of class?
A growing body of evidence illuminates the importance of reading for pleasure for both educational purposes and personal development. With this in mind, all students will be expected to read independently each week and log their reading on a quarterly reading log (HRL). The reading log will support current skills studied in class. The goal is 60 minutes a week. I am always available for book suggestions/
recommendations!
What types of writing will I do this year?
Students will immerse themselves in a variety of writing opportunities this year. All major writing assignments will be Process Pieces. Students will write multiple drafts and participate in editing and revision, receiving credit for each step along the way. Examples include essays, memoirs, poetry, and formal presentations. Even though the process pieces will be worked on and stored in the student’s Google Drive account, the completed piece must be printed off and turned in to the teacher when you walk into class on the DUE DATE.
Supplies Needed
Composition/Spiral notebook
3 ring binder
Dividers for binder
Filler paper
Multiple pencils or pens
One set of four or more colored highlighters
What is an Interactive Student Notebook?
The Interactive Student Notebook (ISN) is a portfolio of student work. It is a wonderful tool that helps promote organization and easy access to the reading and writing tools we will be studying this year. The majority of notes, vocabulary, reading responses, & writing will be stored in the ISN. A page composition or spiral notebook will be used for the ISN. The notebook will be used in class by Friday, September 1st. If you will not be able to get one by that date, please contact me.

3. Please read the course information, sign, and return this sheet to Mrs
Please read the course information, sign, and return this sheet to Mrs. Heaton by Friday, September 1st for a grade.
Students:
Please sign below to signify that you have read the course sheet for Language Arts, will keep it in your binder, will be responsible for the information throughout the year, and will check FamilyLink Portal every few weeks at school or at home.
_______________________________ _____________________________________________
Student printed name Student signature
Parents/Guardians:
Please sign below to indicate that you have read the course sheet for 7th grade Language Arts. If you have questions about the course or your student’s work, please do not hesitate to contact me; is the best way to reach me quickly. See the front of the class syllabus for my address.   
____________________________________ ____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian printed name Parent/Guardian signature  
Parent/Guardian Parent/Guardian daytime phone number
Parents and guardians, please CIRCLE the best way for me to contact you:
phone
Please read the course information, sign, and return this sheet to Mrs. Heaton by Friday, September 1st for a grade.
Please sign below to indicate that you have read the course sheet for 7th grade Language Arts. If you have questions about the course or your student’s work, please do not hesitate to contact me; is the best way to reach me quickly. See the front of the class syllabus for my address.