BEGINNING OF SCHOOL CLASS HANDOUTS FOR SIXTH AND SEVENTH GRADE
******************************************************************************
SIXTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS 2011-2012
Shirley Eagen
Room 411
Forsythe Middle School
Phone: (w) 994-1987
(h) 665-3595
E-mail: eagen@aaps.k12.mi.us
Class website: www.teacherweb.com/mi/forsythemiddleschool/eagen
Dear Parent/Guardian:
My Language Arts classes will use a reading/writing workshop format. Students
will choose most of their books and will use their own topics for most of
their writing. As a class, we will write daily and read independently at
least once a week (SSR). Students will be expected to read at least 15
minutes each night. In addition, students will complete at least three pages
of writing each week. At least part of this writing should be completed in
class. Every two weeks, students will turn in a literature log entry
discussing either a topic of choice (a list of possibilities will be given to
students) or an assigned topic. Also, students will read selected novels as
part of genre studies as well as selections in our literature textbook.
Students will review and learn grammar, writing conventions, review spelling
rules, and work on problem words as a class through mini-lessons. They will
apply what they have learned to their own reading and writing. I will
conference with students and give comments, suggestions, etc. in class.
Students will record completed readings and writings on the Student Book List
and Student Writing Record in the Language Arts binder. Finally, in the
classroom every student will keep a file of finished work.
To assist in keeping all class materials together, I am asking all students to
supply the following:
•a 1 ½” binder
•a spiral notebook with at least 100 pages—college ruled
•a set of at least 10 dividers
•pencils with black lead
•dark blue or black ink pens
•red pencils/pens for editing
•a highlighter
•lined notebook paper—college ruled
The dividers, spiral, and binder should be brought to school no later than
Monday, September 12, so that students can set up their Language Arts binders
in class that day. I will give students a smaller “blue book” that will be
used as a literature log for them to record their responses to their reading,
and I will supply more “blue books” as needed. The Language Arts binder will
be used to hold all Language Arts papers and notes. If purchasing the
additional materials for this class is difficult, please contact me. All
materials must be brought to class daily.
Reading and writing at school and at home are important parts of the
reading/writing workshop. Both need to be done on a consistent basis, and
the reading material for class should be in book form. Students must have a
reading book with them in class every day. Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) will
be part of class at least once a week. Students should choose books to read
that they find interesting, believe they can complete, and are at their
reading level. These books are to be read at school and at home. Both
finished and abandoned books are to be recorded on the Student Book List.
Students will receive a monthly calendar. The September calendar will be
given out the second week of school, and it can be viewed and downloaded from
my website. Please ask your student to show it to you. This calendar shows
the required reading for each day, the weekly writing due dates, and the
literature log due dates. A parent should sign the calendar each Sunday to
verify that the required reading for the previous week took place. Calendars
with parent signatures are due at the end of each month. Completed calendars
with all required signatures will be worth 10 points per signed week . This
calendar with signatures must be turned in on the due date shown on the
calendar to receive full credit. Additional assignments will be given in
class so it is important that you review your student’s assignment planner. In
addition, the class website will give assignments and class information. This
website can be reached through the class links on the Forsythe home page,
also. In addition, assignments will be on Power School.
All work will be graded on the following scale.
100% A+ 73% - 76% C
93 % - 99% A 70% - 72% C-
90 % - 92% A- 67% - 69% D+
87% - 89% B+ 63% - 66% D
83% - 86% B 60% - 62% D-
80% - 82% B- 59% and below E
77% - 79% C+
Since I consider homework assignments part of the learning process, students
will have the opportunity to correct and resubmit most homework assignments by
an assigned date. I encourage them to do this after consulting with me about
the errors. It is by understanding why something is an error and correcting
the errors that one truly learns.
Work must be turned in on time unless the student has an excused absence. If
work is late and the absence is not excused, the earned grade will be lowered
one grade for each late day, and no work over one week late will be accepted.
Of course, late work due to excused absences will be accepted for full
credit. In addition, other late work will be accepted if accompanied by a
parent’s signed note. Students will receive “oops” coupons to allow one late
assignment per quarter. When a student is absent, he/she should talk to me
when returning to class to obtain all missed work and information.
All students have the right to learn at school. So that everyone has a
positive learning experience, my room will follow these rules:
•Be in the classroom before the bell rings.
•Go to your seat when the bell rings.
•Bring appropriate materials to class and be prepared to work
•Raise your hand to be recognized.
•Follow staff instructions.
•Respect the rights and property of others.
•Bring no food or beverages to class.
If you have any questions or concerns during the year, please contact me at
the above phone numbers or e-mail address. I am looking forward to a great year.
Shirley Eagen
Language Arts
THIS LETTER MUST BE KEPT IN THE FRONT OF THE LANGUAGE ARTS SECTION OF YOUR
CHILD’S BINDER ALL YEAR.
**PLEASE SIGN THE FORM BELOW, DETACH, AND HAVE YOUR STUDENT RETURN IT TO CLASS
BY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8.**
cut here
I have read the above information, and I am aware of what is expected of my
student in l
Language Arts this year.
Student’s first and last name
____________________________________________ __________________________
Parent’s signature Date
Please e-mail me your e-mail address at eagen@aaps.k12.mi.us or write it below.
SEagenRev.09/11
******************************************************************************
SEVENTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS 2011-2012
Shirley Eagen
Room 411
Forsythe Middle School
Phone: (w) 994-1987
(h) 665-3595
E-mail: eagen@aaps.k12.mi.us
Class website: www.teacherweb.com/mi/forsythemiddleschool/eagen
Dear Parent/Guardian:
My Language Arts classes will use a reading/writing workshop format. Students
will choose most of their books and will use their own topics for most of
their writing. As a class, we will write daily and read independently at
least once a week (SSR). Students will be expected to read at least 20
minutes each night. In addition, students will complete at least three pages
of writing each week. At least part of this writing should be completed in
class. Every two weeks, students will turn in a literature log entry
discussing either a topic of choice (a list of possibilities will be given to
students) or an assigned topic. Also, students will read selected novels as
part of genre studies as well as selections in our literature textbook.
Students will review and learn grammar, writing conventions, review spelling
rules, and work on problem words as a class through mini-lessons. They will
apply what they have learned to their own reading and writing. I will
conference with students and give comments, suggestions, etc. in class.
Students will record completed readings and writings on the Student Book List
and Student Writing Record in the Language Arts binder. Finally, in the
classroom every student will keep a file of finished work.
To assist in keeping all class materials together, I am asking all students to
supply the following:
•a 1 ½” binder
•a spiral notebook with at least 100 pages—college ruled
•a set of at least 10 dividers
•pencils with black lead
•dark blue or black ink pens
•red pencils/pens for editing
•a highlighter
•lined notebook paper—college ruled
The dividers, spiral, and binder should be brought to school no later than
Monday, September 12, so that students can set up their Language Arts binders
in class that day. I will give students a smaller “blue book” that will be
used as a literature log for them to record their responses to their reading,
and I will supply more “blue books” as needed. The Language Arts binder will
be used to hold all Language Arts papers and notes. If purchasing the
additional materials for this class is difficult, please contact me. All
materials must be brought to class daily.
Reading and writing at school and at home are important parts of the
reading/writing workshop. Both need to be done on a consistent basis, and
the reading material for class should be in book form. Students must have a
reading book with them in class every day. Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) will
be part of class at least once a week. Students should choose books to read
that they find interesting, believe they can complete, and are at their
reading level. These books are to be read at school and at home. Both
finished and abandoned books are to be recorded on the Student Book List.
Students will receive a monthly calendar. The September calendar will be
given out the second week of school, and it can be viewed and downloaded from
my website. Please ask your student to show it to you. This calendar shows
the required reading for each day, the weekly writing due dates, and the
literature log due dates. A parent should sign the calendar each Sunday to
verify that the required reading for the previous week took place. Calendars
with parent signatures are due at the end of each month. Completed calendars
with all required signatures will be worth 10 points per signed week . This
calendar with signatures must be turned in on the due date shown on the
calendar to receive full credit. Additional assignments will be given in
class so it is important that you review your student’s assignment planner. In
addition, the class website will give assignments and class information. This
website can be reached through the class links on the Forsythe home page,
also. In addition, assignments will be on Power School.
All work will be graded on the following scale.
100% A+ 73% - 76% C
93 % - 99% A 70% - 72% C-
90 % - 92% A- 67% - 69% D+
87% - 89% B+ 63% - 66% D
83% - 86% B 60% - 62% D-
80% - 82% B- 59% and below E
77% - 79% C+
Since I consider homework assignments part of the learning process, students
will have the opportunity to correct and resubmit most homework assignments by
an assigned date. I encourage them to do this after consulting with me about
the errors. It is by understanding why something is an error and correcting
the errors that one truly learns.
••••AS OF 11/28/11, I HAVE MADE A CHANGE IN THE GRADING PROCEDURES FOR SEVENTH
GRADE.
DUE TO THE CONTINUED HIGH NUMBER OF LATE AND MISSING ASSIGNMENTS, I HAVE
CHANGED MY
GRADING PROCEDURES FOR LATE PAPERS. THESE CHANGES REFLECT WHAT IS FOLLOWED IN
SOME OTHER CLASSES AT FORSYTHE. A PAPER THAT IS ONE DAY LATE WILL BE MARKED
DOWN 30%. ASSIGNMENTS THAT ARE TWO TO FIVE DAYS LATE WILL BE MARKED DOWN 50%.
ANYTHING OVER FIVE DAYS LATE WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT (THAT IS THE SAME AS
BEFORE). THE REST OF THE GRADING POLICY REMAINS THE SAME AS BEFORE. THIS CAN
BE FOUND IN THE LETTER SENT HOME AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. THIS SHOULD BE
IN YOUR CHILD'S LANGUAGE ARTS BINDER.•••••
Of course, late work due to excused absences will be accepted for full
credit. In addition, other late work will be accepted if accompanied by a
parent’s signed note. Students will receive “oops” coupons to allow one late
assignment per quarter. When a student is absent, he/she should talk to me
when returning to class to obtain all missed work and information.
All students have the right to learn at school. So that everyone has a
positive learning experience, my room will follow these rules:
•Be in the classroom before the bell rings.
•Go to your seat when the bell rings.
•Bring appropriate materials to class and be prepared to work
•Raise your hand to be recognized.
•Follow staff instructions.
•Respect the rights and property of others.
•Bring no food or beverages to class.
If you have any questions or concerns during the year, please contact me at
the above phone numbers or e-mail address. I am looking forward to a great year.
Shirley Eagen
Language Arts
THIS LETTER MUST BE KEPT IN THE FRONT OF THE LANGUAGE ARTS SECTION OF YOUR
CHILD’S BINDER ALL YEAR.
**PLEASE SIGN THE FORM BELOW, DETACH, AND HAVE YOUR STUDENT RETURN IT TO CLASS
BY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8.**
cut here
I have read the above information, and I am aware of what is expected of my
student in l
Language Arts this year.
Student’s first and last name
____________________________________________ __________________________
Parent’s signature Date
Please e-mail me your e-mail address at eagen@aaps.k12.mi.us or write it below.
SEagenRev.09/11
******************************************************************************