Speaking of English-DL Version
An Overview of Ms. Parke's English-7 Class.
Welcome!
Contact Info
- (510) 656-3500 ext. 38026
Class Websites & Important Sites
- Google Classroom
- Turnitin.com: Feedback Studio
- Commonlit.com
2020-2021: A Note from the Teacher
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year. I look forward to a year with you, working with you to develop close reading and analysis skills, writing techniques, and discussion voices. There will be creative projects and structured essays, academic vocabulary building, and independent reading.
But it should be no surprise to you that we are beginning the year in a new learning model: distance learning. This is new for everyone. While we did end the last school year with distance learning, that was very different from beginning the school year in this way and the expectations of distance learning have shifted, too. New things can be scary. “New” means there is room for failure—there has to be, or we won’t recognize the rewards of success. “New” means that we will be constantly asking questions and checking in with one another—use School Loop and Google Classroom, complete the weekly Google form. “New” means starting out the year more slowly, honing in on the most important beginning-of-the-year learning while building a class together.
I ask that you be present everyday—not just sitting down to do the work, joining the Google Meets, or checking your Loop Mail messages, but engaged and participating. I promise I will be present, regularly check Loop Mail and Google Classroom, and make time for all of you—each of you. But this class is not a class without you, your voices and opinions and perspectives. If your life gets complicated at times and you miss an email, Meet, or assignment, please contact me so we can find a way for you to catch up on what you miss—just like I would ask you to do following an absence in room 26.
There is no telling how long distance learning will last. We could be in digital school a month, or it could be much longer. Regardless of what school looks like—distance learning, a hybrid model, or a traditional day—I am committed to your learning and will do my utmost to keep you on the path to success.
- definitions of distance learning terms, including synchronous, asynchronous, and office hours, as well as what those times will be used for in this course;
- procedures for joining live, synchronous classes, absences, asking for help, and beginning/ending a class;
- synchronous class expectations;
- my designated office hours;
- and more!
Overview of the Year
Welcome to a new school year! I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for English and building a successful and productive year with each of you. Seventh grade English is a literature-based and standards-based course that is demanding of students’ time and energy. Every element of English language—from reading and writing to spelling, vocabulary, and grammar—will be developed as the year goes on, as will listening, speaking, and critical thinking skills. This class will both seek to challenge you as learners and to help you to become creative and critical thinkers.
Quarter-by-Quarter Snapshot
The above image details what we are focusing on throughout the year. Each unit of reading will include a central question that guides our analysis of the characters, plots, and themes of the readings. We find that, overall, the idea of society and the individual is consistently present in all readings. While some of the stories address the duty of the individual to society, others delve into the society’s duties to the individual. We will follow this thread throughout the year, and will end with a second semester assignment that links the experiences of the characters and their stories together.
Our Core Units of Study (with central writing focus):
Quarter 1: The Giver (Lois Lowry)
(expository analysis writing)
Quarter 2: The Pearl (John Steinbeck)
(narrative writing)
***SEMESTER ONE FINAL: An in-class essay related to the semesters' readings.
Quarter 3: Anna of Byzantium (Tracy Barrett)
(argumentative writing)
Quarter 4: Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare)
(diverse, focused writing tasks)
***SEMESTER TWO FINAL: Typically a group project that asks students to think about all core readings.
Class Materials
section for English in your binder/portfolio or a class folder
standard college-ruled paper
standard blue/black ink pens
#2 or mechanical pencils (and erasers)
highlighters
multicolor pens/pencils (recommended)
- one USB drive (recommended)
Grades
Citizenship/Participation includes Speaking & Listening (during class discussions, for instance) and Class/School Business pieces (such as submitting the completed course contract on time).
Grades are calculated via category and assignment weighting, through a points-based system.
Semester grades are weighted:
40% First Quarter/Third Quarter
50% Second Quarter/Fourth Quarter
10% Semester Final
GRADING OVERVIEW
Beyond points, what does a grade mean?
"A" grades (100%-90%) mean a student's work "Exceeds Expectations" (+)
An A-level grade indicates a student has mastered the skill(s) being evaluated in a way that is effective, efficient, and/or creative and beyond what is expected of an 7th grade student.
"B" grades (89%-80%) mean a student's work "Meets Expectations" (✔)
A B-level grade indicates a student has met the skill(s) being evaluated in at a level appropriate for an 7th grade student.
C grades (79%- 70%) and D (69-60%) grades mean a student's skill level is a "Work In Progress" (Credit depends on effort and ability to meet certain expectations; WIP/-)
A C-level grade generally indicates a student has not or only partially demonstrated mastery of the skill(s) being evaluated and should revise work on the assignment. A D-level grade also indicates a student has not met the goals of mastery on the skills being evaluated.
F grades (59.9-0%) mean a student’s skill level cannot be determined. Work may be:
Incomplete/Insufficient or work does Not Follow Guidelines, resulting in Not Enough to Determine Whether Standards Have Been Met.
Sometimes, a student who has an especially low score will receive a chance to "Do Over" the work—particularly essays/projects completed in a quarter . Redo invitations depend on the nature of the assignment and also may depend on initial effort but are generally offered to students receiving a "D" or "F" level grade. Redos are especially offered for big-point assignments that involve skills and standards a student has not yet mastered and work must be redone/revised to bring grade up. Students who submit work that receives a C grade or lower may also ask for a chance to redo an assignment, though redo opportunities depend on the nature of the assignment. [Do overs not accepted for semester finals.]
Rules & Policies
Class Policies
To ensure that Room 26 remains a positive learning environment, all students and the teacher will . . .
Be responsible. You are responsible for your own effort and work.
Be on time. You must be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.
Be prepared. Bring daily-required materials to class every day.
Be respectful. Show respect to everyone — teachers, students, guests, and yourself — and everything (don’t mark desks, riffle through others’ property, cough without covering your mouth, etc.).
Use polite speech. Disrespectful language will not be tolerated.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: In this class, as at this school, there is a NO TOLERANCE policy for ALL acts of plagiarism and copying. Academic honesty is of the utmost importance, and I expect absolute academic honesty from every student. All instances of cheating, of any magnitude and including first offenses, will result in a ZERO on the assignment and a referral to the assistant principal, which typically results in an extended detention and disqualification from socials and other activities. Don’t risk it!
CLASS LIBRARY: Use of the class library is a privilege. Follow all steps and take good care of the books that you borrow. You will be asked to replace irreparably damaged or lost books.
CLASSWORK & ABSENCE POLICIES
HOMEWORK PLAN: Standard homework will be assigned as needed. In accordance with district policy, students should spend 15-20 minutes Monday through Thursday on homework. Rarely will students receive homework assigned on a Friday and/or due on a Monday. Generally, students will receive a week or more advance notice to complete essays and projects.
SUBMITTING WORK ONLINE: Students will submit all work via Google Classroom and/or turnitin.com while Hopkins is in distance learning. Once classes at Hopkins resume, work submission will occur in the form that best suits the assignment. Work done on paper will be submitted in photograph form.
ASSESSMENTS POLICY (Tests, Quizzes, etc.)
I do not allow students to keep tests. If you would like to look over a test after we have gone over the scored tests in class, you may schedule an appointment to do so.
ABSENCES POLICY: If you are absent, please complete the Google Form available in our Google Classroom. I will contact you after I review your submission to the form and the days you have missed once I have determined both any important information you have missed and what work you will need to complete to make up for the absence. This may require that you attend a FLEX time, which is integrated into my Office Hours, and/or to complete make-up work as homework.
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STANDARD HOMEWORK SUBMISSION AND TEST COMPLETION/MAKE UP POLICY:
Submit homework assignments promptly on the due date. Late homework will NOT be accepted without a valid, excused absence and must be submitted the day you return to the classroom.
Neatness DOES count.
When you return to class following an unplanned, excused absence, you are responsible for discovering what work you must make up and how much time you have to complete missed activities. You have many resources: your fellow students; the class website; and don’t forget, you can ask me, too. Be sure you have the correct information.
ESSAY & PROJECT SUBMISSIONS POLICY:
Submit final drafts (FDs) of writing and project assignments promptly on the due date.
Follow all final draft (FD) guidelines and expectations (we will discuss these in class).
In the case of an excused, unplanned absence on a due date, the assignment must be submitted promptly upon your return to class. If you plan to be out for any reason on the due date of a big-point assignment, arrange to get the work turned in on time or, better yet, early.
Consequences of late essays or projects: If the work is not submitted on time or upon your return from an excused absence, points will be deducted from your work. "Do Over" unavailable.
Late, on the due date: You lose 5% of the assignment’s possible points.
One day late: You lose 10%.
Two days late: You lose 20%.
Three days late: You lose 30%.
SUBMITTING WORK ONLINE: Students will submit writing assignments and some projects through Google Classroom and/or turnitin.com.
IMPORTANT:
If you have a problem and believe you will not be able to submit your work on time, speak with me and tell me your concerns or situation at least two days BEFORE the due date to avoid the consequences. Please note: An email is not sufficient.
If you are unable to submit work on time due to forces beyond your control and have (1) made sufficient effort to submit the assignment on time and (2) attempted to promptly inform me of your situation, the above consequences may be postponed one day. However, insufficient effort to submit the work on time will result in points lost.
Hopkins Reads
Students will participate in an independent reading program which does not include whole-class readings. In this class, students will participate by selecting age-appropriate books written by a variety of authors and belonging to diverse genre. As you complete your outside reading, you will complete reading check tasks involving analysis and character study, as well as other story elements, such as plot, symbolism, and theme.