7th GRADE CLASSROOM PROCEDURES
2009-2010
"Sharing the Spirit"
Dear 7th Grade Parents and Students,
Welcome to the 7th grade classroom! It is my pleasure to be a part of the St. Mary's faculty and I look forward to a brand new school year with the class of 2011. This year's school theme is �Share the Spirit.� We will be learning about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit throughout the school year.
Enclosed in this packet is a basic outline of classroom procedures as well as the curriculum we cover throughout the year.
If you have any questions throughout the school year regarding our curriculum, classroom, or volunteer opportunities, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can leave a phone message at school which I will return or contact me by e-mail. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.
I am looking forward to a fabulous school!
Sincerely,
Miss. Pala�a
jpalana@csdo.org
CLASSROOM PHILOSOPHY
All children can learn and succeed! I believe strongly in St. Mary's Philosophy, "We believe that Catholic education is responsive to the uniqueness of each individual. It guides all students in the fulfillment of their potential by addressing the needs of the whole child: spiritual, academic, social, physical and cultural." I will provide, to my best ability, an environment for all children to reach their full potential intellectually, physically, and emotionally.
Homework Policy
Why give homework?
Homework is simply an extension of the work we do in class. Along with reinforcing class work, homework also helps students build time- management skills and become more responsible. Also, we do not always have enough time to complete everything in class.
When will homework be assigned?
Homework will be assigned every night, ranging from 60-90 minutes. Homework will be posted and reviewed each day. Students will be required to record it in their assignment books. Students are responsible for keeping their assignment books updated and knowing when homework is due.
Is late homework accepted?
There will be two types of homework, daily homework and long-term assignments. It will be necessary for students to organize their time to complete their assignments by the appropriate due date/s. Students will be required to hand in all assignments on time. Daily homework not turned in on time will not be accepted for credit.
What if a student is absent?
Students should immediately check with all teachers following an absence. The student is required to have the absent work sheet signed by all teachers and make up all work missed. Students will have the same number of days to make up the work as the number of days they were absent. Assignments turned in after one week will receive no credit. *It is the student's responsibility to ask each teacher what work she/he needs to make up based on the "absent(pink)"sheet.
What if my printer is broken and I cannot hand in my assignment?
A student with printer problems should come to class with a note from his or her parents stating the problem and with a hard disk copy of the file or e-mail it to jpalana@csdo.org. There will be a classroom printer available for this type of emergency only!
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATIOIN
Parent/Teacher Communication
Weekly Folders
Class work and homework will accumulate during the week, and will be sent home in a folder every Friday. A note will be attached to the homework and will require a parent/guardian signature. This is to make sure that your child�s work has been reviewed. Also, all assignments that are not reflecting the students best ability will be sent home with the student to be reviewed and signed by a parent. Folders and signatures must be returned the next school day (Monday).
Monthly Newsletter
A parent newsletter will also be sent home monthly, detailing our progress in class and the upcoming curriculum. St. Mary�s school is doing our part for the environment and saving on paper. The September newsletter will the be the only newsletter on paper. All other school news can be found on our classroom�s homework page. If you wish to have a paper copy please notify me.
Parents may also contact me at any time either by e-mailing me or calling the school office and leaving a message. I will do my best to respond to you within 24 hours.
Posting of Grades--Student Progress
In addition to the weekly work packets which are sent home, parents may also stay on top of their child�s work by checking the BASMATI web-site. We will upload assignments and grades just about every week. In 77h grade, we encourage the students to check their BASMATI site frequently so they can stay on top of any missed work. (If you do not have internet access, please let me know so we may send home a paper progress report to you.)
Testing Schedule
All tests will be announced in advance. It is then the student�s responsibility to copy down all test dates in the assignment book. Quizzes will also be given as needed and students should be prepared for an occasional �pop quiz� based on the previous day�s assignment/information. A Spelling/ Vocabulary test is given every Friday.
Grades and Report Cards
Grades will be based on a percentage of points earned. Points will be earned on tests, quizzes, projects, class work, essays, journals, homework, assignment books, and participation.
JR. HIGH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
In an effort to create a consistent learning environment for the students, the teachers have decided on some policies that will be consistent with each teacher and class in the Junior High Program (6th-7th-8th grades).
Assignments
All assignments must be completed neatly on binder paper and written in cursive, unless students are directed otherwise. Each paper must be headed with student�s name, date, number and class/assignment.
Late work
Daily assignments must be turned in on time. They will NOT be accepted for credit unless a student was absent. Students are always encouraged, though, to complete missing assignments so they do not fall behind in subject knowledge. Long term projects may be accepted late; however, the grade will be lowered substantially.
Tardies and Absences
Please be sure to be on time for school. This means that students should be in line for prayer by 8:05. Students who arrive once prayer has begun will be marked down as tardy. Three tardies in one trimester result in detention.
Occasional absences due to illness are expected and we will work with students to catch them up when they return. However, as it states in the school handbook, homework will not be given prior to extra vacation days or unexcused absences from school. In fact, we highly discourage families from taking extra days off from school. The workload in Junior High is challenging and it is difficult for students to make up missed lessons and work. We do not want them falling behind. Excessive absences will inevitably affect a student�s grade because the student will miss class discussions, explanations and group projects.
Minimum Days
Minimum days are real school days. Students will switch classes and receive instruction and assignments. Therefore, please be sure to begin outings and vacations AFTER the 11:45 dismissal on minimum days.
Walking Off Campus
Students who wish to walk off campus at the conclusion of any school day, must bring a parent note to school authorizing permission.
CURRICULUM GOALS
LITERATURE & VOCABULARY
Major Goals:
� To increase comprehension and reading skills
� To learn to recognize and analyze the main parts of a story
� To improve critical thinking skills
� To improve vocabulary skills in both reading and writing
� To improve spelling skills
� To improve grammar and correct grammar usage in writing
� To improve writing skills
Textbooks:
The Vocabulary Workshop, Level C , Sadlier-Oxford, 2002
Classroom literature selections will consist of:
Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
Language Arts Goals and Skills
Strategic Reading Goals:
� To develop active reading strategies, analyze details, synthesize ideas, make inferences, decoding/vocabulary skills
� To learn the meaning and application of a variety of basic literary terms
Comprehension Goals:
� To study cause/effect, classify and categorize, compare and contrast, author�s purpose and viewpoint, fact vs. opinion, main ideas, paraphrase, make predictions, sequence
Vocabulary and Spelling Goals:
� To study synonyms and antonyms, multiple meaning words, homophones/homographs, root words, prefixes, suffixes, analogies, glossary, dictionary, and thesaurus
Presentation Goals:
� To develop speaking and listening skills through speeches, debates, discussions, written, oral and technical presentations
Vocabulary
Vocabulary will be based on words from the vocabulary book and words that make up the 1200 high frequency word list for writing. Students will be learning to spell the words that they will be using the most in their writing. Two types of tests will be given. Cloze tests may be administered to test students on the 1200 words, along with weekly vocabulary tests. Students will be responsible for spelling all of their high frequency words correctly in all of their daily writing. In order to get a top grade in Vocabulary, the following expectations must be met: 100% accuracy on all high frequency words in all writing and 100% accuracy on all words in papers that have gone through the writing process.
Study Skills
Study skills will be reviewed with students as the need is evidenced (vs. the formal study skills unit taught in sixth grade). Skills to be reviewed may include:
� Organizational skills
� Time management skills
� Outlining
� Note taking
� Test taking strategies
� Communication skills
Please note: Students MUST use their assignment notebooks on a daily basis during all three trimesters. Parents should be able to view the given homework on a daily basis should they wish. Students WILL receive points for thoroughness and neatness in writing down their assignments.
Accelerated Reader (30% of Literature grade each Trimester)
Students are required to read Accelerated Reader books through out the school year. Students need to complete and PASS each accelerated reader test. It will be announced how many pages students will need to be completed for each trimester.
RELIGION
Goals:
� To discover the teachings of Jesus through Christian Scripture
� To see Christ in others
� To experience the importance of Christian service in the community
� To gain family life instruction from the Catholic perspective
Textbooks
Our Catholic Identity, RCL Publishing, 1998
Scripture Workbook, RCL Publishing, 1998
Family Life, Grade 7, Benziger Publishing Co, 1987
The Catholic Youth Bible, Saint Mary�s Press, Christian Brother�s Publications, 2000
Prayer:
� To understand that prayer has many forms and uses
� To realize that we are praying when we sing psalms, acclamations, litanies and hymns at liturgical celebrations
� To know the following prayers: Sign of the Cross, Lord�s Prayer, Hail Mary, Grace before and after meals, Act of Contrition, Creed, Acts of Faith, Hope and Love, Memorare, Hail Holy Queen, Twenty Third Psalm
� To participate in daily prayer and reflection
Liturgy:
� To be able to read and interpret a liturgical calendar
� To understand and prepare special liturgies for Holy days, feast days and special occasions
� To understand the parts of the Mass and the traditions behind them
Sacraments
� To understand each sacrament and demonstrate the procedure to celebrate each
Scripture
� To have a basic understanding of the format of the Bible
� To read, understand and apply God�s word in daily life
Service
Students will complete seven hours of service each trimester. Service hours will make up approximately 10% of the student�s religion grade for the quarter. A separate sheet will be sent home outlining acceptable service projects.
Mass
The seventh graders will attend mass and altar serve each Friday morning during 8:15 Mass. Parents are encouraged to join us each Friday morning. It is expected that parents and students attend Sunday Mass regularly throughout the year.
SCIENCE
Skills to be reinforced:
� note taking and outlining
� comprehension of chapters and related science themes
� research and report writing
� essay writing
Objectives:
� To read, study, research and conduct experiments
� To learn to utilize and understand the scientific method
� To apply scientific concepts to their own practical world
� To gain an understanding of basic scientific principles in Life, Physical
and Earth science.
Diocesan required concepts will be covered thoroughly so that students will enter high school with a solid background in Earth, Life and Physical science. We will cover as many of the additional concepts as time allows.
Diocesan required concepts and sub concepts: Newton�s laws; velocity; speed average speed acceleration, circular motion; work; machines; energy conversion; earth and universe are constantly changing; atmosphere and hydrosphere interact; oceans; clouds; precipitation; barometric pressure; high and low pressure; currents; water cycle; ecosystems in the ocean; structures of the biological systems, ie tissue, organ, system; muscular system; nervous system; effects of drugs and alcohol; 5 kingdoms.
Additional concepts to be covered: weight; gravity; terminal velocity; projectiles; momentum; mechanical advantage; compound machines; efficiency; power; kinetic and potential energy; thermal energy; thermal pollution; sound waves; frequency and pitch; light; electromagnetic spectrum; infrared; x rays; reflection; refraction; diffraction; mirrors and lenses; optical instruments; applications of light; skeletal system; endocrine system; the senses; skin; ozone layer; solar energy; wind systems and formation; weather; climate; greenhouse effect; salinity; pollution and marine life; respiration and excretion; minerals and crystals; fossils; atomic structure and the periodic table; chemical bonds; metals and nonmetals.
Texts
-Life Science Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, pub 1999
-Earth Science Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, pub. 1999
-Physical Science Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, pub. 1999
Daily: Students should review their notes and assignments regularly so that they are prepared for tests and quizzes. Students are responsible for all homework assigned in class. No late work will be accepted unless a student has been absent. It is the STUDENT�S responsibility to speak to all teachers to get all absent work.
Homework/Class work (15%)
Participation Points (10%)
Laboratory Experiments (30%)
Students will have hands on experience in the lab! Students will be asked to review the experiment instructions before each lab session in order to be familiar with the material. *If a student is absent on the day of a lab he/she will have a make up assignment!
Long Term Projects: (20%) There will be projects, papers or research assigned each quarter. We will also be doing a Inventors Fair on January 31th, 2009 (Sunday). Handouts will be given before the end of the first trimester.
Tests and Quizzes: (25%)Tests will be announced approximately 3 to 5 days in advance. Quizzes may come unannounced since students are required to review their materials regularly. Students should always have their materials with them in class since they may use their notes for unannounced quizzes. Students should review new concepts every night to avoid cramming the day before the test.
Grades: Grades will be determined by percentage of points earned at the end of each grading period. Points will be earned through homework, experiments, journals, tests, quizzes, participation and projects. No late work will be accepted for credit.
Please note: Instead of straight calculation points, each area of grading has its own percentage weight. Basmati reflects the weighted score of each area.
Parent Homework ☺
Getting to know your child
DUE DATE: September 1st
Child�s Name:
Your e-mail___________________________________________________
Best way to contact you___________________________________________
1) I�d describe my son/daughter as
2) One important thing for you to know about my son/daughter is
3) What does your child like best about school?
4) Her/his strengths include?
5) List some of the activities your child is most interested or
involved in.
6) What is your child�s least favorite school and recreational activity? I.E. Subject matter, group activity, school event,
7) What hopes or goals do you have for your child in 7th.
Feel Free to use the back of this page for any additional comments or information you�d like to share. Please answer honestly Thank you!!!
