Explore Mrs. Fetters' Classroom
"You are the author of your own life story"
by A. Fetters
August 11, 2008
Mrs. Fetters - 7th Language Arts
7th Grade Language Arts
Class Syllabus
2008-2009
Mrs. Amber Fetters
Andover
Middle School 
Team Time: 1:12-2:01
Plan Time: 2:05-2:50
Course Description:
This course is designed to help students develop their reading and writing skills through a variety of activities.
Students will be exposed to an assortment of literature genres and will participate in a wide range of reading activities that will allow them to discover the joy and excitement in reading. Students will also implement reading skills that will assist them in comprehending and synthesizing information within a text.
Great emphasis will be placed on the mechanics and fundamentals of writing. A main focus is centered around the 6-trait writing rubric as well as following the writing process. A variety of papers will be composed, giving the students the opportunity to write: 1) for many purposes and 2) to many audiences.
Curriculum areas under constant review and implementation:
*text structures (description, compare/contrast, cause-effect, sequence, problem-solution)
*text types (narrative, expository, technical, persuasive)
*context clues in vocabulary (restatement, description, synonyms, antonyms, examples)
*figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, onomatopoeia, hyperbole, idiom, analogy)
*prefixes/roots/suffixes
Prefixes and suffixes:
mid-
super-
be-
post-
a-
semi-
-ist
-ism
-ess
-ant /-ent
ROOTS:
test meter geo
graph dem chron
bio hemi biblio
aqua aero phon
mort tele scrib/script
photo mim migr micro
*persuasive techniques (bandwagon, glittering generalities, citing statistics, testimonial)
*parts of speech
*summarizing and paraphrasing text
*making inferences and drawing conclusions
*elements of a novel /short story (plot, characters, theme, point of view, setting)
Course Outline:
Reading/Literature
Students will explore the different types of texts through reading and comprehension activities. Through this, students will also be exposed to wide range of genres and literature components; each of which will be discussed at the time of study. Activities include, but are not limited to: novel studies (Steal Away Home, Walk Two Moons and The Giver) literature circles, Reader's Workshop, and short story discussions.
Reading and appreciating poetry will be another focus of this course. Students will be introduced to a variety of poets and poetry styles.
Writing 
Students will write daily in this course. An essential component to the class is the �prime-time� activity of a journal response to a prompt. This allows the student freedom in writing about whatever he/she chooses. This is important in order to maintain student interest in writing.
Aside from journaling, students will also be asked to complete many types of writing throughout the year. Each will have a particular emphasis. The 6-trait writing rubric, as well as the writing process, will be strongly adopted and implemented. Some activities include, but are not limited to: 1) A Lesson Learned - personal narrative, 2) Mythology Research Paper in MLA format 3) various 6-trait papers, 4) daily written responses, and 5) creative writing. A poetry unit will be completed in which the student will compose his/her own poetry according to the outlined guidelines and expectations.
Speaking / Listening
In order to be a good student, one must learn proper listening and speaking skills. If learned appropriately and applied, students will be more prepared for future endeavors. Throughout the course, students will be given many opportunities to practice their speaking and listening skills. Activities include, but are not limited to: 1) reading aloud, 2) oral presentations, 3) peer editing, 4) role-playing, 5) performing a skit, etc.
Grading Policy:
Grades will be earned according to the following scale:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69 %
F = Below 60%
Homework, projects, quizzes, and tests are each important components of the final grade. Each will be awarded a set number of points, with larger projects and tests worth a greater number of points.
LATE WORK will not be accepted. If the assignment is not completed by the date it is due, it will result in a zero.
Andover Middle School has adapted a school-wide cheating policy. If a student has cheated, he/she will be disciplined according to the cheating policy.
Materials:
Students will be asked to bring the following items to class everyday. A major part of classroom success is preparation!
1-subject spiral notebook for �prime-time� activities RW book/text
Pen Writing / Grammar book
Pencils Literature book
Markers
Paper
Classroom Procedures:
Refer to Classroom Procedures handbook.
Classroom Expectations:
The first few days of school will be focused on building a classroom community and practicing routines and procedures. Each task in the classroom will have a procedure that must be followed from sharpening pencils to handing in papers.
Students will also �draw the line� as a class, wherein they decide what behavior or actions are �above the line� behavior, �below the line� behavior, or �bottom line� behavior. This will be our classroom discipline system. It is expected that students� behavior remain �above the line.� If a student falls �below the line,� they will be removed from the situation to think and calm down, and then return directly to the learning experience. �Bottom line� behavior is anything illegal, chronic, or dangerous resulting in an automatic trip to the office.
My Promise to You�
I will never embarrass, humiliate, or criticize you. I hope to provide a learning environment that allows every student to feel safe and secure as an individual. Let�s have a great year!