Filemon B. Vela Middle School 4905 Paredes Line Road Brownsville, Texas (956) Fax (956)

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Filemon B. Vela Middle School 4905 Paredes Line Road Brownsville, Texas 78526 (956)-548-7770 Fax (956)-548-7780 Acacia Ameel Maria Patricia Martinez Cesar I.

Wood Principal Teacher: Holly Distefano Room #: 217 Conference: 1:15-1:55 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday-Friday) Email/Website/Phone/Remind:hdistefano@bisd.us;http://distefanowriters.pbwor ks.

1 Filemon B. Vela Middle School 4905 Paredes Line Road Brownsville, Texas (956) Fax (956) Acacia Ameel Maria Patricia Martinez Cesar I. Murillo Dean of Instruction Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Dr. Esperanza Zendejas Superintendent of Schools 7 th Grade English Syllabus First Semester Joel M. Wood Principal Teacher: Holly Distefano Room #: 217 Conference: 1:15-1:55 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday-Friday) /Website/Phone/Remind:hdistefano@bisd.us; ks.com; (956) ; rmd.at/distefa (or text to with Course Description: Students will refine and master previously learned knowledge and skills in increasingly complex presentations and written compositions. Students will be able to select and use different forms of writing for specific purposes such as to inform, persuade, or entertain. Students will evaluate writer s craft with consideration to purpose, audience, and genre. Students will learn to vary sentence structure and use verb tenses appropriately and consistently. Students will learn to edit their writing based on their knowledge of grammar and usage, spelling, and other conventions of written language. Students will use available technology in innovative ways to support aspects of creating, revising, editing, and publishing texts and other media. Students will expand their vocabulary skills in conjunction with the other content areas and will demonstrate proficiency by using these words in reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities. This year s Writing STAAR is scheduled for March 28, Grading: Student grades will be divided equally between daily work and test grades. Each will count for 50% of their grade. Students will be required to demonstrate their proficiencies in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will give class presentations both individually and in group settings. Students will be required to write regularly in a writer s notebook. Strict adherence to deadlines is enforced, requiring students to learn time management. Sequence: The following is a general outline of the first semester of the course. The course material may change to meet the needs of the class. 1 st Six Weeks (August 22 September 23) writing for a variety of purpose and audience personal narrative writing composing process to plan and generate writing connect the influence of the writer s point of view on the choices made within a narrative text write and revise first drafts focusing on voice and logical flow of ideas

2 edit for varied sentence structures using correct subject-verb agreement and verb tense. 2nd Six Weeks (September 26 November 4) composing process to plan and generate writing evaluate topic development expository writing conciseness of writing evaluate language conventions to ensure effective communication employ figurative language to produce vivid descriptions combine sentence parts for variety of sentence structures subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement 3 rd Six Weeks (November 7 December 20) composing process to plan and generate writing expository writing utilize literary devices and figurative language in order to evoke interest and imagination punctuation and capitalization employ standard English usage recognize and analyze short story elements Homework: Homework will be assigned on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students will be required to submit typed writing compositions. It is important that students turn in homework on time. Studying for a test or quiz and reviewing notes are considered homework. Failure to complete homework as assigned will result in significant point reduction. Attendance: Strong student attendance is directly related to academic achievement. Any student with less than 90 percent attendance for the days the class is offered shall be subject to loss of credit in the course(s) where excessive absences have been recorded. Make-up Work: It is the responsibility of the student to ask the teacher for missed assignments when returning from an absence. Retests: Retesting will take place upon failure of a test and at the student s timely request. Retests may not be given on six-week tests or semester exams. Retesting may take the form of students correcting and explaining errors on the original test, or it may be taking a different test covering the same content. The student can only improve a failing grade to a 70. BISD does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities.

3 Filemon B. Vela Middle School 4905 Paredes Line Road Brownsville, Texas (956) Fax (956) Acacia Ameel Maria Patricia Martinez Cesar I. Murillo Dean of Instruction Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Dr. Esperanza Zendejas Superintendent of Schools Joel M. Wood Principal Supply List for Team 7-1 (4) 1" 3-ring binder (3) Package of dividers Notebook filler paper (1) Spiral Notebook (70 pages) (4) Writing composition books (4) Pocket folders (without fasteners, any color) (1) Pocket folder (blue with fasteners) (6) Glue sticks Stapler (small-size) (2) Boxes of colored pencils (2) packs of washable markers (2) boxes of Ziploc bags (1 gallon size) (1) ream of computer paper Scissors Highlighters Ruler Black ink pens Red ink pens Pencils (#2) Pencil sharpener Erasers Dictionary/Thesaurus Electronic storage device (USB drive) Hand sanitizer* (2) boxes of Kleenex* (1) roll of paper towels* (3) Clorox Wipes (2 of these are community items; 1 is for science)* *These are community items (please write your name on these items and turn them in to your 1 st period teacher). Brand names have been used to describe items. Comparable brands are acceptable. Since many of the supplies are consumable, it may be necessary to replace some items during the school year. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT STUDENTS ARRIVE TO CLASS PREPARED WITH THE PROPER SUPPLIES EVERY DAY. BISD is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or provisions of services, programs or activities.

4 Ms. Moreno Math 1 3-ring binder Package of dividers Red pens Mr. Esquivel Science 1 3-ring binder Pocket folder with fasteners (blue) Washable markers Gallon Ziploc bags Glue sticks Clorox Wipes Ms. Bazaldua Texas History 70 page spiral notebook (2) Pocket folders (no fasteners) Colored pencils Washable markers Gallon Ziploc bags Glue sticks Ream of computer paper Ms. Carinhas Reading 1 3-ring binder Pocket folder (no fasteners) Package of dividers Ms. Distefano English Backpack Supplies 1 3-ring binder (This will be kept at home) Pocket folder (no fasteners) Package of dividers Notebook filler paper Glue sticks Stapler (small-size) (1) Box of colored pencils Scissors Highlighters Ruler Black ink pens Red ink pens Pencils (#2) Pencil sharpener Erasers Dictionary/Thesaurus Electronic storage device (USB drive) BISD is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or provisions of services, programs or activities

5 Filemon B. Vela Middle School 4905 Paredes Line Road Brownsville, Texas (956) Fax (956) Acacia Ameel Maria Patricia Martinez Cesar I. Murillo Dean of Instruction Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Dr. Esperanza Zendejas Superintendent of Schools Joel M. Wood Principal th Grade Teachers: Ms. Judith Moreno, Math jamoreno@bisd.us Mr. Brian Esquivel, Science besquivel@bisd.us Ms. Anita Bazaldua, Texas History abazaldua@bisd.us Ms. Jennifer Carinhas, Reading jcarinhas@bisd.us Ms. H. Distefano, English hdistefano@bisd.us Phone #: (956) Conference: Monday, Wednesday through Friday 1:15 1:55 p.m. Introduction Congratulations and welcome to the seventh grade 7-1 Team. Our goals this year are to provide all students with a positive, safe, and unique class experience. As students, your goals include full participation, working with your peers, and attending class with a positive attitude! This will insure your success for the year. Student Responsibilities Maintain minimum passing report card grades Maintain excellent attendance rates Arrive on time to school and individual class periods Maintain outstanding discipline and code of conduct record Full participation in class discussions, assignments, labs, etc. Student Planners Students will be provided with a weekly planner that they will use to write down homework assignments each day. We encourage parents to check their student s planner daily. Attendance Policy Regular attendance at school is extremely important! BISD attendance policy is enforced at all times. The student is responsible to acquire a re-entry on the day of his/her return from an absence. Make-Up Work Policy It is the student s responsibility to ask for missed assignments the day s/he returns to school. If the student fails to submit an assignment, a ZERO will be recorded for that grade. For extended absences, parents may contact the team to arrange to pick up missed work. Tardiness Tardiness WILL NOT be tolerated. Students are expected to be in their assigned seats and ready to begin instruction before the tardy bell rings.

6 Assignments All assignments are expected to be done neatly in pencil (unless otherwise directed), complete, be turned in on time, and show outstanding effort. Daily Assignment Grading Policy It is important for students to turn in assigned work on time. Failure to complete work as assigned will result in significant point reduction. Graded assignments Graded assignments and assessments will be returned to students promptly. Students are to organize their graded assignments and assessment in their student portfolios. The student will be responsible for organizing and keeping their portfolios readily accessible at home, unless otherwise instructed by his/her teacher. Homework Schedule It is important for students turn in homework on time. Studying for a test or quiz and reviewing notes are considered homework. Failure to complete homework as assigned will result in significant point reduction. While exceptions may be made (i.e. projects, compositions, etc.), our homework will be assigned as follows: Math - Monday through Friday Science Tuesday, Thursday History - Tuesday, Thursday Reading Monday through Thursday English Tuesday, Thursday Dress Code Students are expected to follow campus and BISD dress code at all times. Standardized uniform dress code will be implemented at all times. Grades online: eschoolplus+ Parents can stop by the front office to request an account to view their student s attendance, assignments, and grades, as well as communicate with the student s individual teachers. Textbooks: Math: online access Science: no textbook History: Texas and Texans Reading: Holt McDougal Literature English: Texas Write Source (For reference only, not required) Parents may checkout textbooks at the front office for student use at home, if necessary. Grading BISD grading policy will be implemented at all times. Students grades will be calculated based on daily work averages and text averages (50% from daily work; 50% from tests). Progress reports will be distributed the third week of each sixweek period.

7 Retesting Retesting will take place upon student failure on a major assessment (test, project, writing assignment, etc.) administered during a six week grading period. The request for retesting is at the timely request of the student. Six weeks tests and semester exams do not qualify for retesting. Student Expectations Report to class on time Immediately prepare for instruction Listen to and follow instructions the first time they are given Be respectful to all Observe the BISD Student Code of Conduct Consequences Verbal warning Parent/counselor contact Team/Student conference Team/Student/Parent conference In-Team Suspension Office Referral Projects Students will be expected to participate in various projects throughout the year, including but not limited to writing challenges, "Brainsville", science fair, Robotics(STEM), history fair, and digital storytelling. The student s goals include full participation and a positive attitude! Parent Signature Date Student Signature Date BISD is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or provisions of services, programs or activities

Language Arts: ( ) Instructional Syllabus. Teachers: T. Beard address

Language Arts: ( ) Instructional Syllabus. Teachers: T. Beard address Renaissance Middle School 7155 Hall Road Fairburn, Georgia 30213 Phone: 770-306-4330 Fax: 770-306-4338 Dr. Sandra DeShazier, Principal Benzie Brinson, 7 th grade Administrator Language Arts: (2013-2014)