Course Description
Welcome to Milwaukee Sign Language School Middle School ELA. Our focus this year will be learning and developing our skills to become better writers. This development and mastery is a critical component of achieving success in other school subjects, building strong relationships with others, and gaining and maintaining a meaningful career as an adult.
Class Expectations
1. Be in YOUR seat when the bell rings.
2. Sit down, in your assigned seat, and write down your learning intention for the day.
3. Put the proper heading on all papers.
4. Do not use electronic devices in class without teacher permission.
5. Bathroom breaks will not be allowed during the first and last 10 minutes of class.
6. Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
7. Bring all of your supplies to class daily.
8. Complete all of your work and turn it in on time.
9. All MSLS school rules and policies shall be applied and followed with the classroom.
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 text or call to parent/guardian, tangible (something you can touch) items, and special class activities/privileges.
What are the consequences if I don't follow the rules?
1. Warning: the teacher provides a verbal reprimand/reminder.
2. Loss of Paw Point(s): Students receive 10 Paw Points a month and will lose one (1) if school and classroom rules are violated.
3. Referral to Administration: a student will be referred to administration for cumulative negative behavioral reminders and immediately for severe behavior problems.
Where do I find assignments?
Class assignments will be on the Smartboard. Assignments will also be available un the While You Were Out file folders loacted in the front of the room.
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 the work is due, the student has the amount of days absent to complete the work. COMPLETED LATE WORK will be deducted a half a point per day late.
How will I check my grade in class?
Progress reports and reports cards will be sent home with the student. If parents/guardians have not received progress reports or reports card, please feel free to contact me.
What do I do if I am absent?
Check the While I Was Out folder, ask the teacher, and get missed notes from a classmate. If there was a quiz or test administered on a day a student was absent, the quiz or test must be made up on the first day the student returns or at the teacher’s discretion. If previously assigned work was due on the day of the absence, the work is due on the first day the student returns or otherwise it is considered late.
What will our class look like?
- Mini-Lesson - 10-15 minutes
- Independent Writing & Conferring - 25-30 minutes
- Writer's Share - 5 minutes
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What will we be learning this year?
6th Grade
- Narrative Realistic Fiction - Creating Believable Characters
- Argument: The Literary Essay
- Information Text - Teaching Books
- Biography - Writing About Influential People
- Poetry
7th Grade
- Narrative: Realistic Fiction - Symbolism, Syntax, and Truth
- The Art of Argument
- Journalism: Uncovering the Stories of Our World
- Cross Genre: Developing Writing Styles and Craft Through Social Issues
- Poetry - Self Portraits
8th Grade
- Narrative Fiction - Realistic Fiction: Using Story Elements to Convey Ideas
- Argument Writing
- Informational Writing - Historical Perspective
- Memoir - Sharing Our Story
- Poetry - The Art of Writing Lyrics