First Day

Welcome to 7th grade Language Arts!

Ms. Larson & Sister Amina

Assigned seats

Quickly go through syllabus. IMPORTANT NOTE: This syllabus is subject to

changes and additions.

Week’s Agenda

Tuesday: Procedures, Rules & Expectations

Wednesday: Class Rules & Get to Know

Thursday: Pre-test

Friday: Start Unit 1

School Rules

1). You need to be in class on time every day to learn. Three tardies at school is equal to one absence and you will receive a phone call home and/or other disciplinary action.

2). No backpacks, electronics (ie: cell phones, i-pods, etc.) or any kind of food/drink (ie: candy, gum, chips, pop, etc.) is allowed in the classroom or at school. All items found will be confiscated by staff and may need to be picked up by your parents.

3). Homework assignments are due on their due date. Late assignments will be worth 75% of the grade if they are turned in by the following Monday. They will be worth 50% of the grade if they are turned in after this time.

Class Procedures and ExpectationsExpectations:

I expect that you’ll be on time and prepared for class with a notebook and folder specifically labeled for this class, a pen/pencil, and any homework for the day.

I expect that you’ll actively participate.

I expect that you stay on task, use your time wisely and write with detail.

I expect you work hard, study hard, and have some fun while learning.

I expect a lot from you, but I will support you as long as you consistently show me your best efforts.

Class Procedures and ExpectationsGrade Weights:

Tests/Projects 40%

Classwork/Quizzes 25%

Participation 15%

Homework 10%

Preparation 10%

Daily Classroom Points:

1 point daily for preparation.

1 point daily for participation.

Every student starts out with 82 preparation points, and 82 participation points for semester 1.

If you’re not here, you don’t get the points. NO excuses.

Class Procedures and ExpectationsExcused Absent

You need to come see me for missing work.

It is your responsibility to figure out what your missing the very next day or the same day. If you know you’re going to be gone, tell me ahead of time.

Check my website for missing work: LarsonsClassCite.weebly.com

I have over 100 students, you have 7 teachers.

Unexcused Absent

You will get a zero on assignments, quizzes, or tests we take in class if you are unexcused.

Tardy

Be on time! I will lock the door when the bell rings. If you’re not here, you don’t get your preparation point for the day.

Class Procedures and Expectations

Journals

Every day I will have the projector on and a daily writing quote or question displayed.

As soon as you come in, get your journal notebook, take a seat and start writing/reflecting on the quote/question.

Title and date your journal entry, and free write with detail for the first 3 minutes of class. KEEP WRITING! I don’t check for grammar, but I do check for ideas and reflection.

You don’t need to rewrite the question or quote.

You should be in your seat and writing by the time the bell rings. If you’re not, you don’t get your preparation point for the day.

Return your journal and textbook by the end of the class.

Late Homework:

Late is anything past a minute after the start of class on the due date. You will not be working on yesterday’s homework when the rest of us are ready to move on.

You have until the following Monday to turn in late work for 25% credit.

Anything turned in after Monday is half credit.

Class Procedures and ExpectationsTransitioning: SLANT

To get your attention when I think the class is ready to move on to the next task, I will say “SLANT!” I will then count to 5 silently. S = Sit up straight. L = Lean forward. A = Activate your thinking/Ask and Answer. N = Note key information. T = Track the speaker.

End of Class

The bell doesn’t excuse you, I do.

I will respect you and your time and try not to talk after the bell. However, you will not pack up and get ready to go until I say that you are dismissed. If you pack up before my dismissal, or line up at the door, you will lose your participation point for the day.

Class Procedures and ExpectationsChecking out Books

Textbooks stay in this classroom.

Novels/books may be checked out. Come to me at least 1 minute before class, or stay after class if you’d like to check out a novel/book. I will record your name and the book you’re borrowing.

A little Bit About MeTake 5 minutes to fill out a name card (I’ll be

using these all year):

Write your full name in the top left corner.

Write the answer to these questions:Where are you from? What’s your nationality?What languages do you speak?What’s your favorite subject?What motivates you? What are your

hobbies/interests?What are your expectations and goals for this

class?

Name Game

If I went to the moon, I would bring…

Game directions: We’re going to the moon! Sit in a huge circle. Each person can bring one thing to the moon. When it’s your turn, state your name and what you want to bring to the moon. Then repeat those who went before you. Pssst! There’s a secret rule… see if you can figure it out!

Start: My name is Ms. Larson. I’m going to bring my laptop to the moon!

Does everyone remember what they have to do tomorrow as soon as they enter the room?

Seating Chart – 7A

Hafsa & Khadija

Sundus & Salma

Saami & Caisha

Zakariya & Abdulahi

Samira & Abdisalan

Miski & Anab

Hana & Ramadan

Nabil & Abdulqadir

Anwar & Aisha

Danielle & Hibaaq

Anwar & Adan

Ashakeuf & Fatma

Front/Teacher’s Desk

Front/Door

Seating Chart – 7B

Idil & Sagal

Saynab & Ali

Omar & Zuhayb

Kiin & Cumar

Muna & Abdullahi

Habso & Suhaib

Suheib & Smal

Siyad & Rakia

Najma & Mohamed

Latifa & Umulkhayr

Ishwaq & Abdirahman

Front/Teacher’s Desk

Front/Door

Daily Writing: I Wish9/05/12

Choose one prompt to respond to and explain with detail:

I wish everyone would learn to ..... Then everyone would.....

I wish I never...... Because… Next time…

I wish I had one more chance to..... Then I would.....

Pass Procedure & Referral Procedure

Everyone gets two “emergency” passes per quarter. Use them for emergencies!

If you are disrupting the class, or being disrespectful to yourself or others, you will be sent to the reflection room.

Wednesday: Create Classroom Rules

We know that the school rules are to keep us safe, and to create a respectful and spirited culture, but what more do you need to feel safe and comfortable when you come into my classroom? What are some rules you want to establish to create an effective learning environment?

Divide class into groups. Each group will create a poster that shows/states rules for this classroom.

After 10 minutes, groups will present their poster.

The most complete, thoughtful and creative poster will be displayed in the classroom for the year.

Wednesday: Icebreakers

On 3 separate pieces of paper, write your name and three unique things about yourself, or unique things you’ve done.UNIQUE things! Things that not everyone in

this classroom can say.Good example: I took ballet and tap dancing

classes for 5 years.Bad example: I’m from Minnesota.

Don’t share them with anyone. We’re going to try and guess which student said what.

Daily Writing: Favorite09/06/12

Choose one prompt to respond to and explain with detail:

What is your favorite song and why? Explain it in detail.

What is your favorite book and why? Explain it in detail.

Thursday: Finish Class Rules

First! Finish group presentations from yesterday. Vote on which poster should be displayed in the classroom.

Then we’ll move on…

Thursday: Pre-test

This test is to assess what you know.

Don’t stress! This grade will NOT be recorded. I just need to know what to focus on and what just needs to be reviewed.

Daily Writing: Me09/07/12

Explain in detail:

Describe something people would be surprised to know about you. OR describe something everyone knows about you.

Friday: Note taking &

Fiction vs. Nonfiction

Objectives: Learn and practice an efficient and effective note-taking stagey. Learn the differences between fiction and nonfiction.

Agenda: Learn about Cornel Notes Practice taking Cornel Notes by reading and taking notes on the first 4

pages of our textbook.

Don’t forget about my website! larsons-class-site.weebly.com

Warning: It is NOT updated daily. It’s mostly updated on Mondays and Fridays. If you’re checking the current week, it may NOT be current.

• How did you learn the skill of note

taking?

• How did this skill contribute to your success? Why do you take notes?

Quick Discussion Questions:

• Remember what is said in class.

• Help on assignments and help prepare for tests.

• Help organize and process data and information.

• Cornell note taking stimulates critical thinking skills.

TopicDate

Topic

Questions,Subtitles,Headings,Etc.

Class Notes

2 1/2”

3 to 4 sentence summary across the bottom of the last page of the day’s notes

Subject: Why take Cornell notes? Date: 11/20/01 PPRROOCCEESSSS ((oouuttppuutt))

MMaaiinn IIddeeaass ((iinnppuutt))

How can Cornell notes help me organize my ideas?

Which side for diagrams? Why use concept maps?

What are the benefits to me?

Can be used to provide an outline of chapter or lecture. Organized by main ideas and details. Can be as detailed as necessary.

Sequential-- take notes as they are given by instructor or text in an orderly fashion.

After class, write a summary of what you learned to clarify and reinforce learning and to assist retention.

Can be used as study tool: 1. Define terms or explain concepts listed on left side. 2. Identify the concept or term on the right side.

Can be used to provide a "big picture" of the chapter or

lecture. Organized by main ideas and sub-topics

Limited in how much detail you can represent. Simultaneous - you can use this method for instructors

who jump around from topic to topic. After class, you can add questions to the left side

Can be used as a study tool -- to get a quick overview and to determine whether you need more information or need to concentrate your study on specific topics.

•Summary is added at the end of ALL note pages on the subject •Summary added AFTER questionsare finished•Summary should answer the problem stated in the subject.

Notes go here, in the large right hand column.

Questions, subtitles,etc. go here,in the left hand column.Remember,we wanthigher levelcritical thinkingquestions. A 3 to 4 sentence summary down there

on the bottom of the last page of notes

Don’t forget the heading:Topic & date

Practice Cornel Notes!

Distribute and assign textbooks. You aren’t able to take these home, but you will be

responsible for the health of your assigned textbook.

Read pages 1 – 5 on Fiction and Nonfiction as a class, taking Cornel Notes as we read.

If time, start reading first short story.

Homework due Monday: Bring in a novel to read in your free time.

Feel free to check out a novel from my library or your local public library.

Homework due Tuesday: Read and take Cornel Notes on something in the news

If you don’t get the newspaper, you can go online -- bbc.com or nytimes.com or any news-related website.

Homework title: Current Events