1. communication Arts Class Rules Course Description
Ms. Acklin’s Class Calumet Middle School School Year
communication Arts
“Literature is no one’s private ground, literature is common ground; let us trespass freely and fearlessly and find our own way for ourselves.”
- Virginia Woolf
Class Rules
Be Polite
Respect the teacher, classroom, and other students.
If you don’t own it, don’t write, draw, or carve on it.
Cell phones and headphones are prohibited unless stated otherwise.
2. Be Prompt
Be on time and in your seat ready to learn.
Be Prepared
Have all materials EVERYDAY!
Be Positive
Stay on task.
Follow directions.
Remain seated unless you have been given permission to get up.
Class Expectations
Be on time for class.
Wear the proper uniform.
Raise your hand and wait to be called upon.
Come to class prepared with ALL your supplies, daily.
Use school technology appropriately.
Ask permission to leave the classroom.
Try your BEST at ALL TIMES.
Ask for help.
Be a TEAM player.
Help make this class enjoyable for ALL.
Course Description
Welcome to 7th Grade Communication 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 important literary skills are not only important to achieving success in the Communication Arts classroom, it is a critical component of achieving success in other school subjects, building strong relationships with others, and attaining a flourishing career as an adult. The quality of life you experience now thorough adulthood will depend a lot on how well you read, write, and communicate with others.
What do I get if I follow class rules?
Your appropriate behavior in class assures everyone of an environment conducive to learning. Some possible rewards for continuous appropriate behavior are: intrinsic value (satisfaction of learning), improved skills, verbal praise, positive note to parents, and special class activities/privileges.
What are the consequences if I don’t follow class rules?
Verbal Warning
Phone Call Home
Phone Call Home and 30 minute Detention
Office Referral & 1-2 hour Detention
Office Referral & Possible Suspension
Where do I go to find agendas and assignments?
Website:
Edmodo is where many class assignments, discussions, and projects will be posted and turned in. Class code:
What happens if I turn in an assignment late?
Work not completed and turned in by the assigned date is considered late. If a student is absent on the date work is due, the assignment is due the first day the student returns to school.
*LATE WORK IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL ONLY RECEIVE PARTIAL CREDIT (50%)!
NO ASSIGNMENTS MAY BE TURNED IN AFTER 2 DAYS PAST THE DUE DATE!
How will I check my grade in class?
Class progress reports will be sent home every two weeks. Parents and students are also strongly encouraged to check the Parent Portal on a weekly basis to view the most current grades for EVERY class.

2. Grade Scale Grade Breakdown Supplies
Ms. Acklin’s Class Calumet Middle School School Year
Grade Scale
What do I do if I am absent?
Always check the class Edmodo site for agendas, handouts, and assignment due dates. A student has two extra days to turn in any work assigned on a day a student was absent. If a quiz was administered on a day a student was absent, it is the student’s responsibility to schedule a time to take the quiz. 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 only receive 50% credit. A
= 93% - 100% B
= 92% - 85% C
= 84% - 77% D
= 76% - 70% F
= 69% - 0%
Do I have to read outside of class?
All students will be expected to read independently on a daily basis. Students will be assigned readings in Edmodo.
*A book project will be due every quarter and must be completed on an independently read book the student finished that quarter.*
What is Edmodo?
Edmodo is a free and secure learning network for teachers, students and parents. It provides a safe way for us to connect, share content, access homework, practice their skills, and receive class information. Edcmodo is accessible online and through any mobile device with Internet capabilities-including free apps for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices.. Students can access their account from any mobile device or computer, and set up notifications within Edmodo to receive alerts/reminders via text or . Edmodo will not be used for social networking, this tool will be used strictly for educational purposes using the following guidelines:
Students will be requires to use appropriate grammar instead of texting language
The site will be used to discuss school-related content only, no private student-to-student messaging.
No put-downs or sarcasm toward another’s ideas. All school rules and consequences related to harassment apply.
Students who violate the guidelines above face disciplinary action and/or face losing the privilege of using Edmodo.
Edmodo also offers parent accounts. With Parent Accounts you can view your child’s homework assignments and due dates and stay up to date on your child’s progress..
Grade Breakdown
Assessments / Quizzes = 30%
(vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammar)
Interactive Notebook = 30%
(graded on completeness & creativity)
Writing = 30%
(Weekly writing & process papers completed throughout the year)
Benchmarks = 10%
(quarterly district tests & writing)
Supplies
Pens
Agenda book/Journal (provided by school)
Paper/Spiral Notebook
Folder
An open mind ready to learn
What is Class Dojo?
Class Dojo is a web-based program to help track students’ behavior. It is an excellent tool to help keep parents updated about their child’s behavior. Students ear points for positive behaviors such as being on task, following directions, helping others, etc. Students can also lose points for negative behaviors such as being off task, not following directions, etc. Parents can setup their own account to track the student’s behavior and communicate with the teacher.

3. Ms. Acklin’s Class Calumet Middle School 2015-2016 School Year
Please Read the course information, sign, and return this sheet to MS. ACKLIN.
Students:
Please sign below to acknowledging that you have read the course sheet for Ms. Acklin’s class, will keep it in your folder, and will be responsible for the information throughout the year.
_______________________________ _____________________________________________
Student printed name Student signature
Parents/Guardians:
Please sign below to indicate that you have read the course sheet for Ms. Acklin’s class and that you will assist your student be accountable for the information. 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 this sheet for my address.  
Parent/Guardian printed name Parent/Guardian signature
_______________________________ ______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Parent/Guardian daytime phone number
(please print)
Parents and guardians, please CIRCLE the best way for me to contact you:
phone
Check all the statements that apply to your situation.
_____ I/We have internet access at home, so we will check Parent Portal to check my student’s progress. I/We will contact Ms. Acklin about any concerns we have.
_____ My student has a smartphone with internet access.
_____ My student has a tablet with internet access at home.
_____ I/We do not have internet access at home.
_____ Other: ______________________________________________________________________________