Course Overview Welcome to 7th grade Reading class! My name is Ms. Enriquez and I am excited to work with you this year. My goal is to help you become an even more passionate, skilled, active, curious and fluent reader. Together, we will explore various types of texts—nonfiction, fiction, poems, songs, short stories, plays, photos and film—all while strengthening your reading, writing and critical thinking skills.
You will read closely and like a detective, noticing patterns and figuring out the author’s central argument. In “fishbowls” and book club discussions, you will form and express your opinions about books. You will research and discuss controversial issues with your peers. You will write like an investigative reporter, using the best evidence to support your claim.
You will also analyze conflicts, uncover a character’s tone, think about theme, and how a character develops throughout the story. By the end of the year, you will master over 60 essential vocabulary words that you will see frequently in eighth grade and high school!
Units and Texts Each unit may be supplemented with nonfiction, biographies, essays, video clips and visuals.
Unit 0 (Aug- Sept): Summer Reading assessments and class introduction Unit 1 (Sept – Oct): Poetry and The Color of My Words by Lynn Joseph Unit 2 (Oct –Nov): Short Stories by Gary Soto Unit 3 (Nov - Jan):Chew On This: Everything You Don’t Want To Know About Fast Food by Eric Schlosser Unit 4 (Jan – Mar): The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton Unit 5 (Apr – May): Book Clubs (Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin, The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake) Unit 6 (May – Jun): “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry Empathy and Critical Literacy: Have you walked a mile in someone else’s shoes? We will read novels written from the point of view of adolescents and adults from other cities, towns, and countries. We will learn about people’s cultures and read about traditions that are different than our own. We will write from the point of view of someone much older, younger or in a completely different place and life circumstance. These activities all serve the same purpose: they help us see the world through someone else's eyes, understand other people's perspectives and empathize with them. Independent Reading and Homework While you will be working hard in school to build your reading skills, the most effective and confident readers spend time reading at home. During the week, I may ask you to read 20 to 30 minutes from a book, magazine or newspaper of your choice. I may also ask you to respond to your book in a Reader Response Journal. Even 15 minutes a day (or about 10 pages) of independent reading at home can expose you to more than one million words in a year. Grading Policy and Assessments20% Classwork (graded for quality and accuracy) Do-Nows, mini lessons and skill work (daily) Text annotation and reading trackers (daily) In-class written responses (daily) 4 Interim Assessments (text with comprehension questions and writing prompts) 6 Binder checks for organizations at the end of each unit · 20% Homework (graded for quality and accuracy) o Must be turned in on time for full credit 30% Minor Assessments Vocabulary quizzes and exit slips Book-specific unit tests and quizzes Individual and group oral presentations (ex: poetry recitation) Book club meetings, group projects and whole-class discussions 30% Major Assessments End-of-unit tests, discussions, essays, Open Responses The final exam is a two-day test and is 10% of the yearly final grade.
Website Please check the class website frequently. You will be asked to log in and practice vocabulary before quizzes. I also post class notes and resources for research projects. Bookmark it on your computer! http://bccs7reading.weebly.com
Late Work or Missed Test/Quizzes If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to contact Ms. Enriquez to see what was missed and to make a plan for getting the notes and/or completing the missed classwork and homework. Work will be collected and placed in the Main Office. Students should pick up any collected work in the morning upon return to school. Students should meet with Ms. Enriquez before or after school or during lunch to discuss any work or notes they missed. If a student is absent s/he will have the same number of days missed to make up the work. Missed quizzes and tests will be made up the day the student returns to school, either during lunch or afterschool. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule a time to make-up the missed test or quiz, otherwise the student will receive a zero for the quiz or test grade.
Finally, please refer to the BCCS Student and Family Handbook for additional policies.
Class Materials A list of the required class materials, needed everyday, is below. If a student fails to bring any of these items, it will result in a demerit for being unprepared. Please reach out to Ms. Enriquez immediately if you have concerns about purchasing these materials.
A 3-ring binder with 4 dividers labeled Do Now, Notes, Vocabulary, Returned Work 1 quart-size Ziplock bag to store/protect class text (demerit if text is not in Ziplock) 60 index cards for vocabulary flashcards 100 Post Its (3 inch x 3 inch suggested) Blue/black pen and pencil 1 Red, 1 Green, 1 Yellow marker
Once you and your family have read the course description, please sign and rip off THE NEXT PAGE (PAGE 3) and turn it in the HW FOLDER.
Pages 1 and 2 of the Course Description stay in the Permanent Index in your binder.